Questions for first timer at IOA

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WeemanMom's DH
Joined
Feb 11, 2005
Messages
91
We'll be going to IOA this August for the first time to see WWoHP and I have some questions:

1) We will not be staying onsite so we won't be able to do early entry, but I've read that the park sometime opens early for offsite guests. Should I still try to get to the gates an hour early?

2) I've heard that we should do Olivander's first and then do FJ. If we're going through the gates at opening will the line already be too long for a 10-15 minute show? Should we go straight to FJ first?

3) I'm hearing there is a separate line for the castle tour. I thought the line for FJ goes through the castle. Am I missing something?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
 
1) I think it has happened for offsite guests..I know they have opened early for the onsite early entry.An hour early? not sure you need that much time.Maybe someone else can chime in
2) yes there will be a line, but if Ollivanders is still a MUST for your family ,I recommend doing it first..The line gets nothing but LONGER as the day goes on.They only let 20 or so people into Ollivanders at a time.It is out in the open with nothing to shield from the sun .
Forbidden Journeys line is part of the attraction and moves fast
3)You can just do a tour of the castle and NOT ride,in busiest times, the castle only tour might not be running
 
when we were there last August there was a separate line for the castle tour. It kind of ran parallel to the ride line and ended near the sorting hat I think.

But - if you do the tour only you do miss the greenhouse and a few other things. With the tour you can actually enjoy Dumbledore in his office as well as see Ron make it snow in one of the classrooms. In line sometimes you miss that stuff.
 
I think pretty much the earliest you'll get in for off-site guests is 15 minutes. That is pretty standard.
 






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