MadeToLove
The Ultimate Potterholic
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2006
- Messages
- 358
Hey Disers! I just got back from a week at Uni. I thought about you guys a lot and tried to pay special attention to the things you wanted to know about WWoHP. The thread will be full of my observations, tips and suggestions (some of it in trip report form) so forgive me for its length. Feel free to ask me questions and I will try to answer what I know.
First: Important note for anyone who, like me, didnt read thru their email confirmations for the HP package thoroughly. Read them!!! Hehe Since I didnt get my tickets with the package (had $99 7 day unlimited), I skipped the parts that would have told me about my breakfast tickets and commemorative tickets. You need to go to a kiosk at your hotel concierge or outside either park. Youll scan you credit card thru and type in your reservation number and it will print out your breakfast tickets and vouchers for your commemorative tickets. The guide at check in didnt mention this to me when I checked in (he should have), so I didnt know until day three of my trip when at the Three Broomsticks Breakfast when I was asked for my ticket. Now luckily I had the print out coupon that was in that reservation email, and we got our meals, but I had to go print them out to get Citywalk Party Pass or Commemorative ticket vouchers.
Three Broomsticks Breakfast: you can show up about 15 minutes ahead of time. They have your names on a reservations list outside entrance. You go thru the line, theyll direct you to a cashier. You give them your tickets/coupon and can get one meal and one drink per person (drinks are in small glasses but include several juices, coffee, hot chocolate, butterbeer). You can purchase sides and Butterbeers in mugs as well. They dont mention kids meals per say, you can get a childs sized version of any of the breakfasts, but personally I didnt see a difference in content, but as an a la carte option it would be cheaper than an adult meal. Then once you have your food, they direct you to a table.
If you are a little late for your reservation its not a big problem, the breakfast crowds flow in and out and although they are booked to capacity they werent packed.
When in Three Broomsticks: Look around! There are fun shadows that pop up now and then of owls flying into the windows with packages and house elves carrying tottering arm loads of pots and dishes and linens.
Three Broomsticks Lunch: People start lining up about 9am for lunch. They have a small rope line outside. Once the Breakfast people have checked in, they let the line inside to an interior rope line (ah A/C). Once they begin serving lunch, theyll send your party to a cashier, you order, get your food and then they direct you to a table. If you dont get into line before 11:00, then expect to wait an hour for a table to clear out. They hold the line if there are no tables to seat you at. Im fuzzy here, but I think the capacity sign said 337, but maybe it was 237. Its not the biggest restaurant, but its very nice inside. I had the roasted chicken dinner half a chicken, very juicy and well seasoned. The roasted corn veggie and roasted potatoes were yummy. The kids stared a chicken and ribs platter which they liked, and my Vegan friend had a side salad, corn and potatoes. She didnt like the salad.
Early Entry: DO IT!!!!! We got up each morning at 6:00 am and walked from RPR to IOA. The boats dont leave until 7:30. We got to IOA by 6:30am and were usually in the first dozen thru the turnstile when they opened the gates at 7:00. As you reach the end of Port of Entry, Guest with hotel key cards go right to Seuss, and everyone else gets sent the long way around to the left (no idea how they were lined up in the mornings). Hotel guests lined up on the bridge between Seuss and LC. (single file). Each morning was a bit different. One morning they would ease us forward bit by bit every 15 minutes and let us in at 8:00, another morning they walked us forward to WWoHP and let us in at 7:20.
Olivanders: If you are going to do this, do it first. For three of four mornings we did this first and were usually the first ones in the door at the first show. The first two times neither child got picked despite being right in front. The third day, my friends son and I slept in while she took her daughter to Olivanders. She went up to the Wizard and mentioned to him that this was their third try, that the daughter had a bad year (which was true) and that she was an uber fan (again true) and that she didnt expect him to choose her, but if he did it would mean the world to her daughter. He winked at my friend and mentioned that many wizards had rough years recently due to He Who Must Not Be Named. Several girls had pushed in front of the daughter by this point, so he wandered the crowd until he stopped at her and chose her. Now I know this is a controversial topic, and something I would never try myself, but after seeing the daughters face later that morning, I couldnt argue with the moms technique. Im sure now that Ive told this story, several people will try this technique, and they will have to keep people far from the wizard to protect him from the pressure. But I can give a few other tips here: If hes standing on the stairs, stand in front of the stairs in his eye line as he comes down them. If hes at the counter, stand beside the stairs right in front of him. Of course, thats no guarantee, as everyones kids are jockeying for those positions.
Forbidden Journey: Leave it all in the lockers if you want to ride, and that includes things you might put in pockets, (as they make your thighs larger and the harness tighter). I think it would be hard to get things in and out of that little pocket behind you on the seat. The magic carpet moves too fast, and you dont want to waste time trying to get stuff in the pocket and get yourself stuffed into the seats. I had some issues with the seat. The first day I was ok, but the second and third the harness was a bit tighter in the thigh area, (mine are not small), because of a). stuff in my cargo pant pockets and b). I was keeping my legs apart a bit. I suggest if this is your problem, squeeze those thighs so their bulk is in the center where the harness has the most room. If you are there for early entry, the line is pretty fast. The first on the ride just want to ride and run through the rooms, but later, people want to move slower so they can see the portraits and Dumbledore and the Trio and take pictures. If you want to linger, they tell you to hug the corners of the room and let others pass, but this doesnt always work and the line areas are not that wide. It will be better in the future when the express lines open as they are wider. Single riders bypass all the castle, so use that for second rides, etc. If you are in line before they open the area to the general public the lines are pretty short, but once the rest of the crowd are in, plan to wait.
Shopping: Shop early or after dark. Lines for shops get long, once you are in, stay in till you are done, they wont let you back in after you leave. You can find most of the generic HP stuff in the Universal store at Port of Entry and Citywalk. Dervish and Banges has a cart set up in the alley behind the building with many of its goods. There is a wand cart near the performance area with all the wands that is often easier to get to. You can get your owl postmark in the Owlery without going inside the building, and mail your mail there (the stamps are available in that outside booth in the alley). Obviously there are somethings you can only find inside the shops (that death Eater/Voldemort/Azkaban stuff was only available in Filches), but I did see robes were available at the Universal store at Port of Entry but was behind the counter. Any Nobel Collection items can be found on their website www.nobelcollection.com or often on sale at www.wbshop.com
Flight of Hippogriff: Cute, short, no lines and if there is, use express if you have it. Great way to get pics of castle and Hogsmeade from high points, assuming you can hold onto your camera.
Dragon Challenge: Didnt ride it, just went through line taking pictures of the props. Apparently many are from the actual movie Goblet of Fire.
The window displays: Stop and take a moment to look at them all, even in the alleys. They are all full of motion and sound and real props from the movies. And if youve read the books and are a diehard geeky fan, you find all sorts of fun things youll recognize that the Muggles around you arent noticing.
The bathroom: heres where they sort of failed. Moaning Myrtle is funny, but you cant hear her unless the place is empty because of those darn high tech hand dryers. Go here at opening, or closing to hear her.
Hogwarts at night: Gorgeous!!!!!!!!! Most Beautiful thing Ive ever seen <sniff, sniff> Check out the window displays at night. Also important to note, the crowds ease by early evening and you dont have to wait in line outside anymore to get back in. However, Olivanders will still have a huge line which they will cut off well before closing time to get everyone thru. And there will still be lines for some shops, but those have been staying open well past park closing time.
Theres much more I can share, but its getting late for me, and Im still on Orlando time. So ask your questions and I will add what info I can as we go.
Needless to say though, this Potterholic had a wonderful time (despite nearly collapsing from heat exhaustion on day one man it was hot this week).
First: Important note for anyone who, like me, didnt read thru their email confirmations for the HP package thoroughly. Read them!!! Hehe Since I didnt get my tickets with the package (had $99 7 day unlimited), I skipped the parts that would have told me about my breakfast tickets and commemorative tickets. You need to go to a kiosk at your hotel concierge or outside either park. Youll scan you credit card thru and type in your reservation number and it will print out your breakfast tickets and vouchers for your commemorative tickets. The guide at check in didnt mention this to me when I checked in (he should have), so I didnt know until day three of my trip when at the Three Broomsticks Breakfast when I was asked for my ticket. Now luckily I had the print out coupon that was in that reservation email, and we got our meals, but I had to go print them out to get Citywalk Party Pass or Commemorative ticket vouchers.
Three Broomsticks Breakfast: you can show up about 15 minutes ahead of time. They have your names on a reservations list outside entrance. You go thru the line, theyll direct you to a cashier. You give them your tickets/coupon and can get one meal and one drink per person (drinks are in small glasses but include several juices, coffee, hot chocolate, butterbeer). You can purchase sides and Butterbeers in mugs as well. They dont mention kids meals per say, you can get a childs sized version of any of the breakfasts, but personally I didnt see a difference in content, but as an a la carte option it would be cheaper than an adult meal. Then once you have your food, they direct you to a table.
If you are a little late for your reservation its not a big problem, the breakfast crowds flow in and out and although they are booked to capacity they werent packed.
When in Three Broomsticks: Look around! There are fun shadows that pop up now and then of owls flying into the windows with packages and house elves carrying tottering arm loads of pots and dishes and linens.
Three Broomsticks Lunch: People start lining up about 9am for lunch. They have a small rope line outside. Once the Breakfast people have checked in, they let the line inside to an interior rope line (ah A/C). Once they begin serving lunch, theyll send your party to a cashier, you order, get your food and then they direct you to a table. If you dont get into line before 11:00, then expect to wait an hour for a table to clear out. They hold the line if there are no tables to seat you at. Im fuzzy here, but I think the capacity sign said 337, but maybe it was 237. Its not the biggest restaurant, but its very nice inside. I had the roasted chicken dinner half a chicken, very juicy and well seasoned. The roasted corn veggie and roasted potatoes were yummy. The kids stared a chicken and ribs platter which they liked, and my Vegan friend had a side salad, corn and potatoes. She didnt like the salad.
Early Entry: DO IT!!!!! We got up each morning at 6:00 am and walked from RPR to IOA. The boats dont leave until 7:30. We got to IOA by 6:30am and were usually in the first dozen thru the turnstile when they opened the gates at 7:00. As you reach the end of Port of Entry, Guest with hotel key cards go right to Seuss, and everyone else gets sent the long way around to the left (no idea how they were lined up in the mornings). Hotel guests lined up on the bridge between Seuss and LC. (single file). Each morning was a bit different. One morning they would ease us forward bit by bit every 15 minutes and let us in at 8:00, another morning they walked us forward to WWoHP and let us in at 7:20.
Olivanders: If you are going to do this, do it first. For three of four mornings we did this first and were usually the first ones in the door at the first show. The first two times neither child got picked despite being right in front. The third day, my friends son and I slept in while she took her daughter to Olivanders. She went up to the Wizard and mentioned to him that this was their third try, that the daughter had a bad year (which was true) and that she was an uber fan (again true) and that she didnt expect him to choose her, but if he did it would mean the world to her daughter. He winked at my friend and mentioned that many wizards had rough years recently due to He Who Must Not Be Named. Several girls had pushed in front of the daughter by this point, so he wandered the crowd until he stopped at her and chose her. Now I know this is a controversial topic, and something I would never try myself, but after seeing the daughters face later that morning, I couldnt argue with the moms technique. Im sure now that Ive told this story, several people will try this technique, and they will have to keep people far from the wizard to protect him from the pressure. But I can give a few other tips here: If hes standing on the stairs, stand in front of the stairs in his eye line as he comes down them. If hes at the counter, stand beside the stairs right in front of him. Of course, thats no guarantee, as everyones kids are jockeying for those positions.
Forbidden Journey: Leave it all in the lockers if you want to ride, and that includes things you might put in pockets, (as they make your thighs larger and the harness tighter). I think it would be hard to get things in and out of that little pocket behind you on the seat. The magic carpet moves too fast, and you dont want to waste time trying to get stuff in the pocket and get yourself stuffed into the seats. I had some issues with the seat. The first day I was ok, but the second and third the harness was a bit tighter in the thigh area, (mine are not small), because of a). stuff in my cargo pant pockets and b). I was keeping my legs apart a bit. I suggest if this is your problem, squeeze those thighs so their bulk is in the center where the harness has the most room. If you are there for early entry, the line is pretty fast. The first on the ride just want to ride and run through the rooms, but later, people want to move slower so they can see the portraits and Dumbledore and the Trio and take pictures. If you want to linger, they tell you to hug the corners of the room and let others pass, but this doesnt always work and the line areas are not that wide. It will be better in the future when the express lines open as they are wider. Single riders bypass all the castle, so use that for second rides, etc. If you are in line before they open the area to the general public the lines are pretty short, but once the rest of the crowd are in, plan to wait.
Shopping: Shop early or after dark. Lines for shops get long, once you are in, stay in till you are done, they wont let you back in after you leave. You can find most of the generic HP stuff in the Universal store at Port of Entry and Citywalk. Dervish and Banges has a cart set up in the alley behind the building with many of its goods. There is a wand cart near the performance area with all the wands that is often easier to get to. You can get your owl postmark in the Owlery without going inside the building, and mail your mail there (the stamps are available in that outside booth in the alley). Obviously there are somethings you can only find inside the shops (that death Eater/Voldemort/Azkaban stuff was only available in Filches), but I did see robes were available at the Universal store at Port of Entry but was behind the counter. Any Nobel Collection items can be found on their website www.nobelcollection.com or often on sale at www.wbshop.com
Flight of Hippogriff: Cute, short, no lines and if there is, use express if you have it. Great way to get pics of castle and Hogsmeade from high points, assuming you can hold onto your camera.
Dragon Challenge: Didnt ride it, just went through line taking pictures of the props. Apparently many are from the actual movie Goblet of Fire.
The window displays: Stop and take a moment to look at them all, even in the alleys. They are all full of motion and sound and real props from the movies. And if youve read the books and are a diehard geeky fan, you find all sorts of fun things youll recognize that the Muggles around you arent noticing.
The bathroom: heres where they sort of failed. Moaning Myrtle is funny, but you cant hear her unless the place is empty because of those darn high tech hand dryers. Go here at opening, or closing to hear her.
Hogwarts at night: Gorgeous!!!!!!!!! Most Beautiful thing Ive ever seen <sniff, sniff> Check out the window displays at night. Also important to note, the crowds ease by early evening and you dont have to wait in line outside anymore to get back in. However, Olivanders will still have a huge line which they will cut off well before closing time to get everyone thru. And there will still be lines for some shops, but those have been staying open well past park closing time.
Theres much more I can share, but its getting late for me, and Im still on Orlando time. So ask your questions and I will add what info I can as we go.
Needless to say though, this Potterholic had a wonderful time (despite nearly collapsing from heat exhaustion on day one man it was hot this week).
but totally worth it for my potterhead family.
