Question about getting into Harry Potter

[ZellyB]

We did a quick recon into IOA today to plan out our day for tomorrow. It's crazy there! EEK.

Anyway, we are going to save it for late in the day. We talked to one of the guys working there and that was his suggestion since we are not staying on site.

My question...he said to wait until a bit later in the day and then get the entry ticket to go into the wizarding world. So, how do those tickets work? He said something like if we got one around 4:30 or so that we could get into the wizarding world by around 6. Do those tickets have a window of time that you are allowed in, or is it more like a "after this time" kind of thing. If we get tickets at 12 with entry allowed at say 2, then can we wait until 6 to go in? Thanks. I'd search all the threads here, but I'm worn out after a day at Universal.

 

[mesaboy2]

The concept for these entry tickets is the same as with Disney's FastPass system, if you're familiar with that. The major difference is this entry ticket is just to enter the WWoHP area, not get you on any particular attraction any quicker. Imagine having to get a FP to merely enter Fantasyland or Tomorrowland!

However, unlike Disney's FP, I do not trust that the TMs at Universal will let you in after the one-hour window passes. I asked this very question of a TM last month when we were there and he just gave me the party line: he didn't know but wouldn't chance it. If you do take the risk, I and probably others would be curious to know your experience if you don't mind taking the time to report back.

As a rule-of-thumb, Tuesdays tend to be less busy than Mondays. But since we're starting to get into spring break time, these next few weeks won't be typical. Just trying to give you a small ray of hope!

 

[ZellyB]

Thank you! I don't think we want to chance it. This is our only day at the park and I wouldn't want to risk missing it entirely.

I'm nervous we are going to miss it as it is because of the crowds, but I guess we'll do our best and whatever will be will be.

Thanks again!

 

[mesaboy2]

You should be okay. If it were me, I would probably start checking for WWoHP entry no later than 2, and see what the return time is in relation to close. I don't know the hours for tomorrow. If it's getting close (with an "ess") to close (with a "zee"), then I would grab the entry pass and go on my way. If not, then come back every so often until you don't want to risk it any more.

FYI, I went three times during Presidents Day weekend when it was pretty busy, and they instituted these entry passes on Saturday and Sunday, and I heard on Friday as well. However, all three days we were able to get into WWoHP without passes within an hour or two of park close. And each time we enjoyed relatively light crowds during this time. Not saying that will happen tomorrow, but it's possible.

 

[diskids2]

"Entry ticket" .... can someone tell me what this is? We went last summer and stayed onsite and went into WWoHP at 8 am.

I have to admit, I haven't been on the boards since we returned, but DH and DS are going back for a four night trip in July and I think I need a refresher course!

 

[mesaboy2]

"Entry ticket" .... can someone tell me what this is? We went last summer and stayed onsite and went into WWoHP at 8 am.

I have to admit, I haven't been on the boards since we returned, but DH and DS are going back for a four night trip in July and I think I need a refresher course!

It's the same as FastPass, only this is to enter the WWoHP area itself, not any one ride. See post #2 above. You won't need it if you're doing early entry, but may if you arrive much after park open during peak season. I understand it changes, but for us they were being distributed by TMs near Sinbad during Presidents Day weekend.

 

[ZellyB]

Well, that was CRAZY! We ended up going to check for tickets into WWoHP a little before 3. They were all gone for the day! But, they were also saying to check back later. So, we went up to talk to him and he told us all the tickets had been handed out, but if you check back late in the day then they sometimes open it up free flow.

We had dinner at Mythos and did a few other things and went back at 6 just as they opened it up. I was so relieved. It was still packed and we waited a little over an hour for FJ, but it was still great fun.

Regarding honoring entry tickets after the window...We went by twice to check things out, both times, they were calling for that entry time and EARLIER. So, I took that to mean they were honoring anything from that time and earlier. So, similar to Fastpasses in that they were not penalizing you for being late. Now, I have no idea if they would do that all the time, but that appeared to be the process going on that day.

 

[mesaboy2]

Well, that was CRAZY! We ended up going to check for tickets into WWoHP a little before 3. They were all gone for the day! But, they were also saying to check back later. So, we went up to talk to him and he told us all the tickets had been handed out, but if you check back late in the day then they sometimes open it up free flow.

We had dinner at Mythos and did a few other things and went back at 6 just as they opened it up. I was so relieved. It was still packed and we waited a little over an hour for FJ, but it was still great fun.

Regarding honoring entry tickets after the window...We went by twice to check things out, both times, they were calling for that entry time and EARLIER. So, I took that to mean they were honoring anything from that time and earlier. So, similar to Fastpasses in that they were not penalizing you for being late. Now, I have no idea if they would do that all the time, but that appeared to be the process going on that day.

Glad you got in anyway! Thank you very much for coming back and reporting your experience!

 

[polkadotminnie]

If we are not staying onsite and are arriving very early, can we still line up on the Seuss side for entry when they open to the general public or will we be herded to the Jurassic Park side? Thanks for any help. I will be taking my three kids in by myself since DH will be working.

 

[mesaboy2]

If we are not staying onsite and are arriving very early, can we still line up on the Seuss side for entry when they open to the general public or will we be herded to the Jurassic Park side? Thanks for any help. I will be taking my three kids in by myself since DH will be working.

I don't know when you're going, but if it's a peak season such as now (spring break) or summer then you will probably not have a choice. It's not that big a deal, mainly just a longer walk....

 

[polkadotminnie]

I don't know when you're going, but if it's a peak season such as now (spring break) or summer then you will probably not have a choice. It's not that big a deal, mainly just a longer walk....

It will be during spring break. Is everyone running and pushing to get in line?

 

[mombrontrent]

I am so confused now Never been to IOA before, we are going the first week of May. We are not staying on site, is it going to be a problem getting in WWoHP? I just thought is was a area of the park like Adventureland is a part of Magic Kingdom. I thought you could just walk in, I never knew you needed a pass or had to wait until a certain time. Help

 

[damo]

I am so confused now Never been to IOA before, we are going the first week of May. We are not staying on site, is it going to be a problem getting in WWoHP? I just thought is was a area of the park like Adventureland is a part of Magic Kingdom. I thought you could just walk in, I never knew you needed a pass or had to wait until a certain time. Help

You should be fine the first week of May. Generally return tickets are just given out when the crowds become unmanageable.

 

[Metro West]

It will be during spring break. Is everyone running and pushing to get in line?

If people are pushing and running to get into line, the TMs will stop that pretty quickly.

 

[mesaboy2]

I am so confused now Never been to IOA before, we are going the first week of May. We are not staying on site, is it going to be a problem getting in WWoHP? I just thought is was a area of the park like Adventureland is a part of Magic Kingdom. I thought you could just walk in, I never knew you needed a pass or had to wait until a certain time. Help

Correct. But this area is so insanely popular and small that Universal discovered they needed to control access somehow during peak seasons.

 

[glassslipper2004]

How is it different if you stay onsite? We are staying onsite, but have never been to Universal before, and only have one day to try to see HP. I had planned on getting there super-early, will that work?

 

[Metro West]

How is it different if you stay onsite? We are staying onsite, but have never been to Universal before, and only have one day to try to see HP. I had planned on getting there super-early, will that work?

If you stay onsite you get early entry into WWoHP so that will definitely help.

 

[Mikelly1221]

If we are not staying onsite and are arriving very early, can we still line up on the Seuss side for entry when they open to the general public or will we be herded to the Jurassic Park side? Thanks for any help. I will be taking my three kids in by myself since DH will be working.

It will be during spring break. Is everyone running and pushing to get in line?

We were staying offsite this past week and we were herded towards the Jurassic Park side. We arrived before 9 and were allowed into the park around 8:30 up to the bridge by Hulk. About 5 minutes later we were "walked" to near the Toon Lagoon/Marvel Island border. Then we were walked all the way to WWOHP through Jurassic Park. There was no running or pushing..there was a bunch of people but everyone was very orderly.

 

[polkadotminnie]

We were staying offsite this past week and we were herded towards the Jurassic Park side. We arrived before 9 and were allowed into the park around 8:30 up to the bridge by Hulk. About 5 minutes later we were "walked" to near the Toon Lagoon/Marvel Island border. Then we were walked all the way to WWOHP through Jurassic Park. There was no running or pushing..there was a bunch of people but everyone was very orderly.

Thanks for the reply. That makes me feel better about taking the kids in by myself. I was worried that it would be a stampede.

 

[Metro West]

Thanks for the reply. That makes me feel better about taking the kids in by myself. I was worried that it would be a stampede.

If the TMs see any running or shoving, they will put a stop to it quickly...no need to worry.