Wait times without FOL

[disneydee6]

During the summer, we are doing a one day trip to IOA. Of course stopping by the WWoHP lol. We also want to go on some other headliner rides! Can anyone give me any insight on rough wait time expectations when you do not have FOL access? I understand it will be different because of the WWoHP crowds but I'm just curious what KIND of wait we should expect?

 

[xApril]

I'd imagine a lot will go over 60 minutes in wait time. I saw quite a few rides go up to 60 minutes and over during spring break.

 

[Dollyrar]

WWOHP will be open by then - ALL BETS ARE OFF!!!

 

[disneydee6]

Hehe I figured that would be the case lol. I have never been to IOA so I don't know what to expect, but I guess with WWoHP opening, we all don't know what to expect!
But VERY busy crowds usually means an hour + for most rides?

 

[Pink Flamingo]

When I was there last June, with FOTL the longest we waited for any ride was around 15 minutes. Many rides we were able to just walk right on. Of course this year we will be arriving 3 days after WWoHP opens, so I'll be curious to see how that impacts the wait times.

 

[atigeg]

the times web site is http://66.77.171.132/MobileWeb/ParkMenu.aspx
visit it after WWoHP opens to see what the times are

 

[disneydee6]

Is buying FOTL worth the money then? We really are trying to save where we can, and I know WWoHP we wont be able to use it in, but we can at least use it for the other areas of the park. Hmmmm.....

 

[Pink Flamingo]

Is buying FOTL worth the money then? We really are trying to save where we can, and I know WWoHP we wont be able to use it in, but we can at least use it for the other areas of the park. Hmmmm.....

I would think it would be well worth the $ since the crowds will be much larger with the opening of WWoHP. You may have a longer wait than in previous years with FOTL, but my guess is that it will still be much quicker than the regular line.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

If you get to the parks first thing in the morning, like as soon as they open. You can get quit a bit done before the massive crowds roll in. That is how I do summer days. I go early & leave early. I am an AP holder so it doesn't matter how many days I go...

 

[disneydee6]

Thanks! I'll be sure to keep my eyes on that site and make the decision once the time comes We might just have to use FOTL.

 

[kathy884]

A Mickeyfan, You answered the question that I was going to ask. I was guessing IOA would be similar to most theme parks that we've been to and that if you got there at rope drop, lines wouldn't be too bad for the first two hours or so. This strategy worked very well for my son and his cousins when they did a day at IOA/US in the summer. They were able to hit almost everything and found crowds considerably lighter than Disney. With WWHP, though, I'm guessing IOA/US crowds will be much heavier than they have been in the past.

We'll be going to IOA one day in March (just to see a few of the attractions) -- Forbidden Journey, Dueling Dragons (renamed), checking out Harry Potter theming and gift shops, going to the Jurassic Park Discovery Center, and then catching a ride on the Hulk on our way out. We'll get there right at rope drop. It for us just doesn't seem to make sense to spend the money on the FOLP due to the the limited things we'll be doing, and that would be especially true if the pass isn't available for the Harry Potter rides as all we'd be able to use it for is the Hulk. Did I read correctly, though, that FOLP are expected to eventually include WWHP.? With our plan, I'm guessing a ride on the Hulk on our way out will be the longest line and probably much longer than I'd like. I'm still thinking, though, we'd probably be best served by heading over to the Harry Potter area first thing in the morning.

 

[Bluer101]

I know that first thing in the morning its not to bad. Right around 11-12 it starts to get crazy and goes until about 5-6 pm. Most of the wait times around July 4th weekend in the middle of the day are 60-90 minutes. I have seen Dudley do right have almost 120 minutes before. Normally we go in the morning since its not to hot, and return late afternoon till close. Then again we stay onsite which makes the lines around 0-20 minutes all day long.

 

[Metro West]

Is buying FOTL worth the money then? We really are trying to save where we can, and I know WWoHP we wont be able to use it in, but we can at least use it for the other areas of the park. Hmmmm.....

Remember...there is no such thing as a FOTL pass. You would need to purchase an Express Plus pass but it may only be worth it if you're going to the Studios after IOA on the same day. Getting there early is the key and if you do IOA at opening, you could possibly do the bigger attractions w/o much of a wait...assuming most people will head to WWoHP first thing. If you are going multiple days, go to the Studios first thing one morning and the same thing would apply...not much in the way of lines until late morning.

 

[Melanie230]

During the summer, we are doing a one day trip to IOA. Of course stopping by the WWoHP lol. We also want to go on some other headliner rides! Can anyone give me any insight on rough wait time expectations when you do not have FOL access? I understand it will be different because of the WWoHP crowds but I'm just curious what KIND of wait we should expect?

We went to Universal in July in 2008. Men In Black, Spiderman, Jimmy Neutron, Shrek, and The Mummy were all 75 minute wait times. My son and I wanted to see just how valuable FOTL access was and we waited for someone to get in the regular line for Men In Black. We used our FOTL and rode 9 times before that man got on.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

My sil hopped over there for one day last June and she said it was awful. Some waits were 1 hour, some 2+ and she didn't get much of the park done and ended up leaving early. Considering this year will have HP it will probably be worse.

I told hubby the only way I will go is if we stay onsite He is giving into my demands.

 

[Claire-Bear]

I'm wondering whether most of the crowds will remain in WWOHP for most of the day? We'll be getting WWOHP done at rope drop and not returning to the area until later in the evening. I'm slightly hoping, whilst the wait times in WWOHP will be immense for a lot of the day, the other rides won't have wait times too much worse than some summers (60 mins for most popular?).

 

[disneydee6]

I'm gonna say that there will be crowds there ALL day. But at rope drop/Dinner/right before closing, are probably the best times to go, like most theme parks. But even then, the place will probably be busy busy busy

 

[Claire-Bear]

"crowds there all day" could mean anything though

My guesstimate would be that, once WWOHP opens, during weekdays, WWOHP rides (especially FJ) wait times could go up to 3 hours during the busy part of the day. Popular rides (Hulk, Popeye etc.) could go up to 1 - 1 1/2 hour waits during the busy part of the day. First thing in the morning and after dinner time shouldn't be quite so bad (30mins for popular rides, perhaps 1 hour for WWOHP).

What are other peoples estimates?

 

[Metro West]

"crowds there all day" could mean anything though

My guesstimate would be that, once WWOHP opens, during weekdays, WWOHP rides (especially FJ) wait times could go up to 3 hours during the busy part of the day. Popular rides (Hulk, Popeye etc.) could go up to 1 - 1 1/2 hour waits during the busy part of the day. First thing in the morning and after dinner time shouldn't be quite so bad (30mins for popular rides, perhaps 1 hour for WWOHP).

What are other peoples estimates?

I'll go along with your estimates. I hope it's not any longer than 3 hours for The Forbidden Journey!

 

[Claire-Bear]

I'll go along with your estimates. I hope it's not any longer than 3 hours for The Forbidden Journey!

I really hope so too would be nice to ride it more than once during our trip!