Virtual Line with Hagrids

[gatechfan99]

So we are going to be at Universal on President's Day weekend which I'm sure will be crowded. I'm trying to figure out how the Hagrid's line works. I know some days it's not virtual line but at busy times (which I'm sure will be that weekend) it is.

We are staying at Portofino so shouldn't have a problem getting to the gate in time for Early Admission. On Sunday, it shows regular opening at 8 AM, EPA at 7 AM.

If we are inside the gate at 7, is there any benefit to heading straight to Hagrid's? When can we get the virtual admission pass? We had a couple of visits to DHS last year, so I'm used to the RotR 10AM scramble on smartphones for a reservation. Will this be that stressful? Just really wondering with the Early Admission, what time to start trying. Thanks.

 

[cfoxga]

We are also staying at PBH that weekend, and I'm expecting it to be crowded. We were spoiled over Thanksgiving, since there were much fewer EPs with PBH closed. I also think they started letting more people in the packets in December.

Over Thanksgiving, Hagrid's was virtual queue every day. Since we had EPs at HRH, we actually slept in most mornings. I would wake up a little before 8 am and open my app. As soon as Virtual Tickets opened up for Hagrids, I grabbed one. They went very fast. EPs made the other lines almost non-existent, so I only had to plan for Hagrids. The tickets opened up at 8am, 11am, 2pm and 4 pm each day. Hopefully, they use the same schedule.

Since this is just a 3-night trip, we'll probably hit the parks for EE every day but use the same approach for virtual queue for Hagrids. When crowds start to peak in the afternoon, we'll head back to the resort or grab lunch at CityWalk.

 

[wdw_dine_junkie]

How does the virtual queue work with a group of people not in the same family? Do we have to link passes or anything like Disney? We have a group of 5, do we all try for a group of 5? Or can I only make party of 2 because only two passes are in my app? All 5 of us will be activating new EPs next week, it's been a lot time since we've been there and Hagrids is definitely a priority to ride! I'm sure it will take us a while to get through the window for activation, should we go to Studios to do that because it opens at 9 and IOA doesn't open until 10? We are staying at Ft Wilderness, at a Universal property.

Thanks in advance

 

[cfoxga]

I'm not aware of any links of virtual queue passes to tickets. Anyone can make a reservation on the app for multiple people (I don't remember the max, but I think it was 8). So you only need one person to reserve for the entire group.

 

[gatechfan99]

We are also staying at PBH that weekend, and I'm expecting it to be crowded. We were spoiled over Thanksgiving, since there were much fewer EPs with PBH closed. I also think they started letting more people in the packets in December.

Over Thanksgiving, Hagrid's was virtual queue every day. Since we had EPs at HRH, we actually slept in most mornings. I would wake up a little before 8 am and open my app. As soon as Virtual Tickets opened up for Hagrids, I grabbed one. They went very fast. EPs made the other lines almost non-existent, so I only had to plan for Hagrids. The tickets opened up at 8am, 11am, 2pm and 4 pm each day. Hopefully, they use the same schedule.

Since this is just a 3-night trip, we'll probably hit the parks for EE every day but use the same approach for virtual queue for Hagrids. When crowds start to peak in the afternoon, we'll head back to the resort or grab lunch at CityWalk.

Thanks for the insight. So is there any advantage to being there for the Early Admission for Hagrid's? If they open up the reservations at 8 AM but Early Admission lets you in at 7, is it not running at all in Early Admission hour?

In regards to the linked accounts, I read in the Unofficial Guide about that exact point. It said since they're not linked, everyone in your group with a smartphone can make a reservation. That should increase the odds of getting one if you're all trying, I would think. And then perhaps be able to ride it multiple times if more than one of you get it?

 

[cfoxga]

If IOA has EE then Hagrids is the main ride people will go to; they will just be in the regular line. Eventually, they will change over to virtual queue on busy days. One day we did get to the parks just after the EE opening and went to FJ, and we were the first on the ride We then walked over to FotH and no line there either. Everyone must have been at Hagrids with a couple people casting spells at the shops in Hogsmeade.

Yes, you can make multiple reservations and ride multiple times. I didn't want to abuse it since they go so fast and we were there the whole week, so we signed up for two sets of tickets just once. We ended up not using the second time, so we found some people at the line entrance who had no idea about the virtual queue on the app. They were very happy to be able to ride after the attendants explained that it was the only way to get on and everything was booked.

 

[dato63]

I'm just starting to research our first Universal trip. This thread was helpful, thanks ya'll! Downloading the app now.

 

[cjlong88]

You can also get a virtual queue outside of the gates. When we parked in the parking lot about 30 minutes after the parks opened to everyone, my partner pulled up the app just to see what the virtual queue process looked like and we already saw return times. He quickly grabbed one for the both of us. Super easy. And we were able to grab more throughout the day. It was great that we didn't need to be physically in the park to grab them. I'm not sure how far away you can get before you no longer are allowed to book a virtual queue return time, though.

 

[Erica Ladd]

I’d love to know how close you have to be as we arrive on a Saturday before noon!!

 

[sazzlynn]

Can you please report back on the times that the virtual queue passes were released during your trip? Looks like 1st release is park opening and then every 2 hours but wondering if this changes weekly. Thanks

 

[cartydog]

You aren’t guaranteed a virtual pass. So if it’s a must ride (and let’s face it, it most definitely is!) you need to get there at rope drop and get in the queue.

 

[Wosmama6]

So I have an afternoon to myself Monday, March 8, and my AP is still valid. Was thinking of ubering from WDW around 1, trying for a VQ for hagrid's at the 2pm drop.... is this too much of a gamble? Should I just enjoy the evening at WDW instead? I have to be back to WDW by 6 for the babysitter.

 

[cartydog]

It’s possible on a Monday it might not have a virtual queue and, you’d just line up

 

[Wosmama6]

i'm gonna have to look into this more. it would be a better use of my time to stay in WDW, but i still have the AP and won't be back to use it again, and I haven't ridden hagrid's yet, sooooo

 

[shawthorne44]

Remember, Hagrid's is the best coaster anywhere.

 

[Wosmama6]

Remember, Hagrid's is the best coaster anywhere.

That's what I've heard. Worth a whole afternoon?

 

[Ross Kratter]

That's what I've heard. Worth a whole afternoon?

Give it a shot! There should be a 4:00 drop as well, though on weekdays Hagrid's hasn't been using Virtual Line lately.

 

[Wosmama6]

I priced out an express pass for the day so that I could make a day of it, ride the other stuff. $160!!!!!

 

[Cottoncandylove]

You can also get a virtual queue outside of the gates. When we parked in the parking lot about 30 minutes after the parks opened to everyone,

I’d love to know how close you have to be as we arrive on a Saturday before noon!!

I have heard you can get virtual queues from the parking lot and all the resort hotels. I can't remember which, but I know a lot of the vloggers say you can start virtual "hunting" about 5 minutes before from your resort hotel room. Hope that helps and hope you all have a wonderful time!

 

[Ross Kratter]

I have heard you can get virtual queues from the parking lot and all the resort hotels. I can't remember which, but I know a lot of the vloggers say you can start virtual "hunting" about 5 minutes before from your resort hotel room. Hope that helps and hope you all have a wonderful time!

This is correct - I have gotten virtual line spots from the parking garage.