We've booked for June.. a couple of Universal questions

[Mike Jones]

Hi folks. Long time no see! Not been able to get back to Florida since 2008, but have managed to find the funds to do so for my 50th in June, with my lovely wife Amanda. Brief itinerary: 4 nights on Siesta Key, 6 nights at the Boardwalk Villas, 1 night at Universal's RPR, followed by 3 nights in New York.

Trying to get up to date with changes since our last visit. We're staying at Universal for the obvious reason, and I notice the Harry Potter ride is excluded from UE. Wouldn't break my heart if we missed it, but using the early entry perk are we likely to be able to get it done inside of 20 minutes or so?

As far as I can tell, none of the new rides at the Studios are excluded from UE, so we'd probably do what we used to do and get the Islands bottomed in the morning and head across to the Studios after lunch.

Mike

 

[flortlebap]

In peak season in the middle of the day I rode HP single rider within 20 minutes so yes, you should be fine

 

[wilma-bride]

Mike, staying onsite you will obviously have the early access to Islands of Adventure. If you head there first, you can easily get the ride done a couple of times in 20 minutes (unless it breaks down like it did when we were there in October).

None of the rides at Studios are excluded, however the new Diagon Alley area is set to open some time in June so you may find that is dragging the big crowds in.

You usually find that the WWOHP at Islands starts to clear out in the evening so it might be worth doing the evening there on your first night, then head to Studios for early entry (there's bound to be early entry if Diagon Alley has opened by then) for the new area if open.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

We were there in October and got on twice without any overly long waits

 

[Mike Jones]

Good to hear. Thanks folks. I'll no doubt have a few more questions soon.

 

[pickers1982]

Takes 20 minutes to walk the queue! It's quite something...but should get it done with little wait. The wand shop is tougher

 

[wilma-bride]

Takes 20 minutes to walk the queue! It's quite something...but should get it done with little wait. The wand shop is tougher

Personally, I wouldn't even bother with Ollivanders. We had never done it but decided to give it a go on our last trip - complete and utter waste of time.

 

[Kath2003]

Early entry lines are 20-30 minutes in peak season, 45-90 minutes for the rest of the day. Half of that is taken sorting out the lockers, so take as little gear with you as possible. The locker situation for all the other rides is flawless, but HP lockers are a mess (for a start, you have to use them in the dark...).