Questions on Castle show?

[Jennygt]

Where is the best place to get a spot? How much in advance should we get to that spot? Any tips on this? Thanks!!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Anywhere in the general area near the stage area in front of Hogwarts, or in front of the slew of shops facing Hogwarts. I haven't watched from the bridge to Hogsmeade but understand that is a nice view also.

No need to stake out a place, the show is only a few minutes long and is played several times. The first show tends to be busiest, and crowds disperse between shows. You can always hang around and improve your view if you want to see it twice.

 

[Jennygt]

Anywhere in the general area near the stage area in front of Hogwarts, or in front of the slew of shops facing Hogwarts. I haven't watched from the bridge to Hogsmeade but understand that is a nice view also.

No need to stake out a place, the show is only a few minutes long and is played several times. The first show tends to be busiest, and crowds disperse between shows. You can always hang around and improve your view if you want to see it twice.

Thank you very much!

 

[Disxuni]

I do not know if it will still be the case after the new ride opens, but when Dueling Dragons still was around in the outside queue area when you got to a certain point you were able to have a good view of the castle. I thought it was beautifully picturesque due to the higher vantage point and the trees up there. Also, since no one really stood outside of the queue anymore due to the lower wait times over the years, it was relatively quiet, and not crowded. It would give you plenty of time to enjoy and take pictures.

I do not know if they'll keep that beginning portion of the queue, but even if they did, it would definitely no longer be quiet, or less crowded anymore. However, that could change as time goes on, especially in the evenings.

 

[schumigirl]

To see the Hogwarts Castle Light show, as been said by CAPSLOCK, you really don’t need to be there to stake out a spot......

Aim for the later shows, not the first as that one is always busiest.

We have stood opposite where the Frog Choir sings and the Durmstrangs and Beauxbatons appear daily.......you do get a good unencumbered view there, and on the bridge too.

 

[Jennygt]

About how often to they show it? I guess it would be posted somewhere

 

[schumigirl]

About how often to they show it? I guess it would be posted somewhere

Usually from Dusk and then every so often till park closes........

 

[Disxuni]

About how often to they show it? I guess it would be posted somewhere

Online simply states from Dust to Close. On an article about Hollywood one, it stated 15-20 minutes. I would imagine that IoA would be about the same.

 

[wareagle57]

Does this occur every day? I'm guessing the HE in both directions gets pretty long waits towards evening? I had planned to end the day in USF but might want to hop back over for this.

 

[Hitchhiking Ghost]

Being our first trip to IOA since the '90's wasn't aware that they did a castle lighting. We saw it, and I have to say, while it was nice, I was a bit underwhelmed. Hearing that they were doing it, my first thoughts went to a comparison of the lighting of the Castle at Magic Kingdom, and in comparison I found the Hogwarts lighting to pale in comparison. The show was ok, where I was really disappointed was afterwards, I thought there would be better lighting of Hogwarts once the show was over, just like the castle at MK. If we went again, I wouldn't lose any sleep if we missed the show.

 

[Jennygt]

Being our first trip to IOA since the '90's wasn't aware that they did a castle lighting. We saw it, and I have to say, while it was nice, I was a bit underwhelmed. Hearing that they were doing it, my first thoughts went to a comparison of the lighting of the Castle at Magic Kingdom, and in comparison I found the Hogwarts lighting to pale in comparison. The show was ok, where I was really disappointed was afterwards, I thought there would be better lighting of Hogwarts once the show was over, just like the castle at MK. If we went again, I wouldn't lose any sleep if we missed the show.

good to know, I wont kill myself to get to see it

 

[Hitchhiking Ghost]

good to know, I wont kill myself to get to see it

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it, but I might have had my expectations set higher than they should have been. If I recall basically a projection show on the rock face and on Hogwarts while the sorting hat does a speech introducing the four houses. For what it was, it was fine, but again, comparing it to the castle lighting ceremony at MK, not in the same league. And as I mentioned, biggest disappointment was when the show was over, I just assumed there would be some dominant lighting of Hogwarts and there just wasn't.

 

[schumigirl]

The Hogwarts Christmas Castle show is so much more impressive than this one.......it’s worth seeing if you’re in the area, but we’ve seen it a few times now and wouldn’t bother again........

But the one at Christmas, we will see more than once or twice.

 

[Hitchhiking Ghost]

The Hogwarts Christmas Castle show is so much more impressive than this one.......it’s worth seeing if you’re in the area, but we’ve seen it a few times now and wouldn’t bother again........

But the one at Christmas, we will see more than once or twice.

Do they do any decorations of the shops at Hogsmeade for the Holidays, or is it just Hogwarts? Have never been to Universal over Christmas Holidays so not sure how they decorate in comparison to WDW, although I saw some still photo ads of Hogwarts over Christmas that looked really cool.

 

[schumigirl]

Do they do any decorations of the shops at Hogsmeade for the Holidays, or is it just Hogwarts? Have never been to Universal over Christmas Holidays so not sure how they decorate in comparison to WDW, although I saw some still photo ads of Hogwarts over Christmas that looked really cool.

Well, I never compare to WDW.......as I don’t go there......but they do decorate all Potter areas too for Christmas now.......Rowling wouldn’t allow it at first but she finally relented and they’ve been decorated last few years.....

They are understated and not too opulent......very classic and not gaudy.....it is lovely and we’ve enjoyed last two years in December.........

It is very pretty though and it snows too in certain areas.......

 

[Monykalyn]

Agree with Schumi- the Christmas show was really neat.
And universal IMO decorates their parks for Christmas way better than Disney as ALL of the park is decorated- not just a few rides or one street .( DHS was my favorite park at Disney at Christmas due to the decorations extending more than just one street or area).
Plus the Macy’s parade is cool to see. And it does snow in front of the Macy’s building during parade too.
Dang- now I want to go back this Christmas too!