Skip Universal early entry for Hagrids??

[bfaber]

So do must recommend skipping Universal early entry to get in line for Islands to get to Hagrids right away or could we be successful riding one ride in Universal and then taking the connecting park path to Seuss Landing to get to Hagrids as soon as Islands opens??

 

[CAPSLOCK]

There is no connecting path normally. You'd need to exit and enter Islands (behind all the people already lined up at the gate) or take Hogwarts Express (and be behind all the first swoop of people at Islands, assuming you even make the first train).

 

[bfaber]

There is no connecting path normally. You'd need to exit and enter Islands (behind all the people already lined up at the gate) or take Hogwarts Express (and be behind all the first swoop of people at Islands, assuming you even make the first train).

So that path by Seuss Landing isn’t always open??

 

[DoryGirl1963]

So that path by Seuss Landing isn’t always open??

Nope

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I've never seen it open. I understand it is only open when the parks are at capacity, so people can park hop without exiting and having to wait in a re-entry line.

 

[CVW]

Bumping this up. Getting back to the original question, do most people recommend skipping Universal early entry in favor of Hagrid's?

 

[DoryGirl1963]

If Hagrid's is your top priority, then yep, you'll have to sacrifice early entry at USO & use that time to stand in line for park opening at IOA.

 

[onegai]

I'd sacrifice EE at USO for Hagrids as well.

 

[Bethany10]

If Hagrid's is your top priority, then yep, you'll have to sacrifice early entry at USO & use that time to stand in line for park opening at IOA.

How early would we need to be at the gate? We're on property, so I can see taking DD and hopping on the bus just for this one morning and letting everyone else sleep in

 

[DoryGirl1963]

How early would we need to be at the gate? We're on property, so I can see taking DD and hopping on the bus just for this one morning and letting everyone else sleep in

Folks start lining up as they come off of those first buses & boats, so they're starting to line up a little less than an hour before park open.

Now, do you HAVE to line up that early? Nope...but the earlier you line up, the less your line will be getting on Hagrid's. I do want to point out though that even if the Hagrid's line looks really long - it's often starting clear back in Lost Continent - it moves pretty much constantly & there's TONS to look at & the posted time has always been longer than our actual experience (e.g., when we went the second week of May, the posted waits were 60-75 minutes but the longest it took us was 35 minutes.)

Hargrid's is my absolute favorite ride of all time - it's pure joy for me !

 

[onegai]

I would have to agree with DoryGirl above. I didn't expect to love it as much as I did. It's a blast and feels different in the sidecar vs the motorbike too!

 

[DoryGirl1963]

I would have to agree with DoryGirl above. I didn't expect to love it as much as I did. It's a blast and feels different in the sidecar vs the motorbike too!

I totally forgot to say that the bike & sidecar are different experiences, both super fun!

I like the bike best so my husband is a good husband & rides in the sidecar so I can have the bike

 

[MarcIsMe]

We may have just gotten lucky this past weekend, but we got to UO an hour before EE, did Olivander’s first then Gringott’s and walked over to the train about 15 minutes before IOA opening. Staff was making loud announcements the train would not start until IOA opened, but it was running anyway. Took us 3 trains to get on (not restricting compartments to one party). Got off a few minutes after opening and turned left to get in the line back in Lost Continent. The line moved fairly quickly and was on in roughly 30 minutes.

 

[gharter]

I would do Hagrids first, IF you are in line 30-45 minutes before EE. Otherwise you will be far back in the line to get in the park and the line for Hagrids will be close to an hour by the time you get there. If you are 1/2 way down the bridge you will have at least a 45 minute wait. It is an amazing ride.