Universal Expecting Five Hour Waits for FJ?!?!?!?

[*NikkiBell*]

I am going to Universal in July just to see HP. There is no way in holy heck I am waiting for five hours to see them mess this up. This shows disastrous planning on their part. They should be ashamed of themselves.

 

[ADP]

I have seen reports that there will be no express pass for this ride. Until it opens and we can see what Universal has decided no one knows for sure.

I agree...At this point so many things have been said about express pass we can only wait and see.

I was told over the phone by a Universal reservationist you'd get one FOTL entry per person, per day if you were staying onsite, but I'm nos sure I believe that anymore.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I agree...At this point so many things have been said about express pass we can only wait and see.

I was told over the phone by a Universal reservationist you'd get one FOTL entry per person, per day if you were staying onsite, but I'm nos sure I believe that anymore.

I was told the same thing, but the reservation agent was also careful to state that she did not know when the express line would be operational. We are going in July, and she would not say that the express line would be running by then (kind of like Rip Ride Rockit has an Express Line, but it has never been operational).

 

[stepdisney]

When the attraction is new, there is NO FOTL. We experienced this last year when the new coaster opened. The wait was 2 hours EASY! They would not let us have FOTL access even though we stayed at RPR. Their policy is that when the attraction first opens, they don't offer FOTL. I know this for sure because I was very upset and I complained about it. I think that they may make an exception if they are anticipating 5 hour wait times. They could cut down on that time if they would allow folks to use their FOTL. If they don't, I agree with PP who said that it will be a year or two before we visit.

 

[concept5123]

well i guess im one of the few that will be fine waiting. i just cant wait for my trip YAY FJ!!!!!! IT BETTER BE GOOD!!!!!!

 

[SrisonS]

well i guess im one of the few that will be fine waiting. i just cant wait for my trip YAY FJ!!!!!! IT BETTER BE GOOD!!!!!!

I'm with you on that one!!!! I'm crazy enough to do that; especially since I'll probably be going by myself for that first visit.

I'd be more curious to how early (and where) Universal will let people line up to enter the park?!?!? I'm one of those crazy people that line up before the crack of dawn for Star Wars Weekends. It may not be the best thing; but everyone is very friendly, and at least you can sort of get some sleep.... that won't happen in a normal line.

 

[Gigi22]

We will be at WDW in early Dec. DH was anxious to visit HP at Universal. After hearing today's podcast, we now plan to visit HP in a year or two at the earliest. Universal, what are you thinking?

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Hey Everyone, I just wanted to give some context to where my comment came from. When I was on the Press Tour of Universal on Sunday, our VIP tour guide said "when Revenge of the Mummy opened the queue was built to absorb wait times of 340 minutes, and that's what they're predicting for Harry Potter." So it came from the one VIP tour guide, and may not be an official Universal prediction. I guess we'll just have to see what the wait times actually are.

 

[wdwfreeksince88]

I just talked to my friend that will be working FJ. Just like when rip ride rockit opened there will be no express. I still don't think there is express for rockit yet. I think that is what he told me. But I know he said no to FJ.

 

[kaligal]

It won't be 5 hours forever, even if it really is 5 hours.

It is typical for amusement parks (the big, cool ones) to have 3-4 hour waits for whatever their brand new zippiest rollercoaster is when it is new. It isn't that long forever and it isn't that long if you're there when the park opens and rush right over to it.

I won't wait 5 hours...or 4...or even one. I'd either go early or skip it.

But if there are people (and I know there are) who wish to do that, more power to them.

 

[safetymom]

Hey Everyone, I just wanted to give some context to where my comment came from. When I was on the Press Tour of Universal on Sunday, our VIP tour guide said "when Revenge of the Mummy opened the queue was built to absorb wait times of 340 minutes, and that's what they're predicting for Harry Potter." So it came from the one VIP tour guide, and may not be an official Universal prediction. I guess we'll just have to see what the wait times actually are.

I got caught in that queue at Revenge of the Mummy shortly after it opened. From the outside it looked like no line so we went in. They had so many rooms to wind through before we ever got to the ride. I learned a valuable lesson that day about waiting in line.

 

[PeterPan09]

People going this summer are going to be pretty unhappy with even 2 hour plus wait times and they're going to shout their displeasure on Facebook, Twitter and everywhere else on the 'net-unless what they get at the end of those LONG wait times is something out of this world amazing. Universal has set themselves up with this attraction and if it doesn't deliver it's going to hurt them big time.

 

[Gigi22]

Thank you for the clarification Mouse Skywalker! We really enjoyed your preview of all the HP attractions on the podcast. Thank you so much for that!
I guess we will all just have to wait it out and see how Universal manages the attractions in HPW once they are opened to the public. Here's hoping that they find a quick work around for the narrow walkways and aisles and that the anticipated wait times are not as long as anticipated.

 

[wishspirit]

Put it this way- I only waited 45 minutes to meet JK Rowling herself at a booksigning for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I wouldn't wait any more than that for the ride!