so we will be there on June 13th

[Bethany10]

Specifically June 10-15th. While I'm hopeful they will be doing a soft open earlier in the week on the new Hagrid ride, I'm unwilling to stand in line for hours to ride at the official open on the 13th.

We come in later on Monday, and the plan was always to hit the the parks early on Tuesday and then Volcano Bay on Wednesday. Thursday-Saturday is then open for hey lets go back to the parks, spend another day at VB, sleep in, etc but not at the weneedtohitropedrop speed that I'll be going at earlier in the week.

As I really think about this, I'm thinking we need to front load the week with the HP areas as they're only going to get crazier the closer we get to opening. Am I fooling myself that the earlier part of the week won't be just as bad as the later?

Once it's open, do you think the rest of the park is going to be crazy insane, or will it be more concentrated in the HP areas. If we front load our week in HP, then I'd spend the latter half avoiding the area like the plague and hitting our other must do's at that time.

and no, we don't have EP, but we will be on site. I just can't justify the cost of even a throw away room. I was hoping with the AP prices one would come down far enough we could swing it, but it's just not going to happen. That Tuesday I'm going to be "that" mom getting the family up to take advantage of EE, but by Thursday I'll have lost my will to get up early and fight the crowds.

As far as touring plans without EP, the gist of what I read here says get the must do's out of the way first, take advantage of the EE, and circle back in the evenings for the lowest crowd points (and yes I realize low is a relative term when you're talking early June) Am I missing anything?

 

[bobbie68]

Hi your thinking that the land (Hogsmeade) will get busier later in the week with the opening of Hagrid's is a good thought. I think it will be busier in there once the 13th comes. I would at least put a day there before opening to enjoy Hogsmeade a little more with a little less crowds. I think the rest of the park will see influx with the crowds just because people are going to do things after HP.

I am not sure the studios and DA will be affected as much but still will have an increase Yes you are right to take advantage of what touring plans suggest. In the studios Minion Mayhem will be crowded, best to do it as early as possible. Kong in Island is another one that has consistent long lines best to do earlier. You might want to hit those two then go to the HP lands.

Also make sure you go to VB at EE it is crucial to get stuff done at this park. We have gone in June two years in a row and the first couple of hours is really good. It gets very busy there with long waits.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[skylock]

I remember when potterland first opened and it would fill to capacity and you had to get a ticket to get in. I can see something similar happening with the new coaster esp if it is as well done as the leaks have suggested. Plus the fact it is in a tight area to begin with.

I think your plan is a good one.

 

[WDW2012]

We actually just booked one night for the 13th onsite so we plan on getting everything else out of the way on the 13th then heading in for Hagrid's early in the am on the 14th. I expect it will be insane but we are surprising my dd for her birthday. We've never been anytime near a major opening so I'm expecting the worst!

 

[Disxuni]

To be honest, I think it's going to be crazy period, as people are going to be coming around expecting soft openings and more than likely the soft openings will be in full swing as opening day gets closer.

However, the best way to approach it, will be to get to Hogsmeade first thing in the morning on the 10th and soak it all in. I hope that they will keep the Hagrid's Coaster people who are waiting for soft openings off to the side somewhere, since it's an attraction, not a whole park.

As I remember back in the day that you did have to have a ticket in order to gain entry due to the section getting at capacity levels when the park first opened. However, I'm hoping it will be more like Kong, where people were held off on to the side and had to simply wait to get entry, as it's a ride, not a whole park. However, the park itself is narrow in comparison to others and I do believe either way will cause some congestion.

Typically Hogsmeade can feel crowded pretty quickly regardless due to it's narrowness, but I believe if you arrive the 10th, use EE, and try to get your fill of Hogsmeade (which won't take long, as there is less to do compared to DA) as quickly as possible before too many people arrive you should be fine, or at least more fine, if you do any other day and during any other time other than EE.

Even if EE isn't for IoA that day, I'd suggest either waiting at IoA, or waiting in HE the whole time of EE to unsure you're the first on the train.