Virgin Early Entry to WWoHP

[T16GEM]

We have got this for our trip in April, has anyone else used it?

What did you think?

 

[Camac]

I haven't used this but after having just visited Harry Potter at Universal less than two weeks ago I would say that is worth it.

At 9.30am (the gates opened at 9am) there was a 1.5 hour queue to get into Olivanders Wand Shop - they only let in 25 at a time. The queue to get on the Quiddich ride (can't remember its real name) inside Hogwarts built up very quickly. Take your camera with you on this ride as the theming inside Hogwarts is excellent. Los of people came off this ride looking very queasy!

Hope this helps.

 

[Linda67]

We did this back in November and it worked out really well for us

When we arrived at MCO we had to pick up some tickets from the Virgin Desk and our early entry invite was in the envelope

I have heard some people say that they have had to attend a welcome meeting in order to get hold of the invitation but we didn't need to do this

A Virgin Rep based in the US will call you a few weeks before your holiday starts and if they don't you can contact them via the VH website.

I spoke to a really helpful guy on the phone and he said he would leave the invites at the airport for us along with the tickets.

As we were staying at a Universal hotel we could access the park 1 hour before regular guests at 8am but the Virgin early entry got us in to WWOHP by about 7.30am

You have to use the early entry invitation within 2 days of your arrival

We arrived at the entrance at about 7.15am and there was a VH podium where a Virgin Rep was stationed to check your invite and park entry ticket

We were then asked to head to a turnstyle at the far end of the entrance gate where we were met by a Universal staff member

There was probably only about 5 of us in this group and we were walked right through to the WWOHP and The Three Broomsticks where you can help yourself to breakfast (basic muffins, OJ, toast, cereals and Porridge plus tea and coffee)

After a very quick bite to eat we headed out to take photos in a totally empty Hogsmead

If you want to do Olivanders I strongly advise that you do this first. The lines build up instantly. We got in line at about 7.55am and were the first ones in when they opened at 8am on the dot.

It takes hotel guests 5 or 10 mins to get to the WWOHP once they are allowed in at 8am so you really do get a head start on the crowds

Once you are out of Olivanders go straight to Forbidden Journey (check out the shops etc later as you can still get into the wand shop without seeing the show again)

If you love FJ (which you will) just walk round and do it again. We found it to be a walk-on until at least 8.30 ish and there is always the single rider line which is a great option but make sure you go through the standby line at least once as the inside of Hogwarts is excellent

We never found much of a line for Dragon Challenge but if you want to do Flight Of The Hippogriff do that fairly early as it's a slow loader

You'll them have lots of time to check out the shops etc

Make sure you have a Butterbeer (I prefer the frozen one ) and a cauldron cake if you haven't had enough sugar already

Have fun

 

[Shazzie B]

Totally agree with previous post, we did it in October. WWoHP was more magical somehow in the early morning light, rather than the full sunshine later in the day.

We really enjoyed the breakfast; although bit weird eating porridge (it's a winter breakfast for me)

 

[T16GEM]

Brilliant
Thank you all for the info! I think we will do this on our first morning then as we will be up early anyway. We will have to use child swap on the Forbidden Journey as we have two little ones, will this be easy enough to do?

 

[Linda67]

Brilliant
Thank you all for the info! I think we will do this on our first morning then as we will be up early anyway. We will have to use child swap on the Forbidden Journey as we have two little ones, will this be easy enough to do?

I don't have kids myself but I saw plenty of other people doing this. My suggestion would be just to mention it to every CM you see as at least this way if there are any newbies you are bound to get someone who can help

Having said this, we were really impressed with the staff there

 

[T16GEM]

I don't have kids myself but I saw plenty of other people doing this. My suggestion would be just to mention it to every CM you see as at least this way if there are any newbies you are bound to get someone who can help

Having said this, we were really impressed with the staff there

Thanks!