US/IOA Touring Strategy - 1 Day Only

[WDWRocksMySocks]

DH and I are going to US/IOA for one day the last full week of August. We're planning on taking a break from Disney and heading over on Tuesday (8/24). We typically are able to do everything in IOA and US that we want to do by 3pm. However, this is our first time doing WWoHP. I've seen a lot of people recommend saving that until the evening. Our main concern is doing FJ. We'd also like to do the Dragon's Challenge, but our main focus is FJ. I'd like to have some time to look at the shops, as well.

Does anyone have any tips, suggestions, links to other threads, etc. they'd like to share to help me out? TIA!!

 

[Purseval]

Keep in mind that when people are talking about evenings being the best they are talking about a time of year when IOA closes at 10pm. The last week of August it closes at 8, so adjust accordingly. A lot more people may be willing to stay later when it closes at 8 than 10. But parks close earlier for a reason. A lot of kids have to be back in school by the last week of August so they expect a smaller crowd.

If you are already familiar with the parks and do everything you want to do by 3pm then all you have to do is add WWOHP to the mix. Since we've already determined that evenings are better I would start early to get the rides and shows you already know about out of the way then head over to WWOHP after you are done. That would basically have you swimming against the tide, which in this case is a good thing.

Once you are done then head over to HP. There shouldn't be a bad wait for DC no matter what time you go and if you have already ridden Dueling Dragons the ride hasn't changed at all. If your main interest in FJ is the ride then get in the singles line first to do the ride then get in the main line later in the evening to enjoy the world's most splendid queue. Riding FJ again will just be a bonus. If you are lucky with the singles line you may actually be able to get many more rides in.

Unless you are bound and determined to visit Ollivander's I would skip it. Search for Ollivanders on Youtube and you can see the show. Only the most diehard Potter fan would think it is worth the wait. Of course, if the line doesn't look so bad hop in. If you can be over in WWOHP by 4 or so you should have plenty of time for pictures, browsing the shops and the rides.

Have a great day.