What can you realistically get done during early entry?

[EmJ]

Assuming a crowd level of around 7 and early entry 60 minutes before park opening, what is realistic to expect to accomplish during early entry? Two rides/attractions? One and cast some spells? Are the shops open for browsing? We will be there right when it opens, but with everyone headed to Diagon Alley/Hogsmeade, I have to think it would still get kind of crowded and I want to plan realistically.

 

[bumbershoot]

I’ll admit that I’m not into the wands and spells *at all*, but even if I were I wouldn’t spend early entrance doing that.

Figure out if you want ollivanders or rides and set priorities based on that. Ride queues are interesting. Ollivanders queue, at least in hogsmeade, is not.

 

[EmJ]

I’ll admit that I’m not into the wands and spells *at all*, but even if I were I wouldn’t spend early entrance doing that.

Figure out if you want ollivanders or rides and set priorities based on that. Ride queues are interesting. Ollivanders queue, at least in hogsmeade, is not.

That’s good to know. I personally wouldn’t want to spend a lot of time casting spells, but my five year old definitely will. I saw at least one person here suggest early entry is the best time for spell casting, because it’s less crowded. I guess I’m wondering, if we planned to go entirely through the Gringotts or FJ queue (using the child swap) and then do Ollivander after that, should I expect that to take the entire hour? Or am I overshooting it still and should plan on one or the other during early entry, but not both?

 

[Disxuni]

If you really feel like you want to have your child do spell casting during EE instead of later, then yes, you can easily do a ride, go to Ollivanders, and do the spell casting, especially if you're on the Diagon Alley side as they have the bigger Ollivanders.

However at the same time, I always recommend people head over to Hogsmeade as early as possible due to the narrowness of the area and the lack of shops to escape to, because due to that it doesn't take long for the area to feel claustrophobic due to the crowds.

 

[bobbie68]

Hi an example for Diagon Alley at EE (we usually go there first) you would get into DA and go to Gringott's you probably would have about 15 minute wait as soon as it opens. You could get off there then go over to Olivander's and do that. You should be able to do both within the hour but sometimes crowds could be heavier that day. I would then do the spells even though it will be the general public in by then you won't get that busy for the first hour after that.

Are you going to be there more than 1 day. If you are I would plan to be at the other park you didn't do either before opening or at EE (if the other park has it). When we went last year the studios was open for EE we would go in and do DA. The next day we would be at the gates at IOA about half hour before park opens and go right to Hogsmeade and do that. I agree the HP lands are narrow and it gets hard to maneuver later in the day. From there we would have express passes and go to the other attractions.

 

[EmJ]

If you really feel like you want to have your child do spell casting during EE instead of later, then yes, you can easily do a ride, go to Ollivanders, and do the spell casting, especially if you're on the Diagon Alley side as they have the bigger Ollivanders.

However at the same time, I always recommend people head over to Hogsmeade as early as possible due to the narrowness of the area and the lack of shops to escape to, because due to that it doesn't take long for the area to feel claustrophobic due to the crowds.

Will do! My impression is that either Diagon Alley OR Hogsmeade will be open for EE, but likely not both (we won’t be there during a peak season). Is that accurate? If both are likely to be open, that definitely changes my calculus.

 

[Disxuni]

9 out of 10 times typically Universal (DA) will be open, not IoA (Hogsmeade). However, you can always do the things I mentioned above, then hop onto the line for HE, so once it starts you can go over to Hogsmeade so you're over there relatively early. Besides, HE shows something different on both ways to each park, so it gives you a reason to come back to DA once you accomplish a few things over at Hogsmeade once it starts getting crowded.

 

[bchbetha]

Here's what I'd do: Gringotts, Ollivanders, sight see/ spells. I don't think the area gets too bad until closer to 10:30-11. The majority of people don't plan amusement parks well and just roll up in the later morning. Which works great for the early birds. I would avoid Hogsmeade between 12-4 because of the crowds. Head over around 10:30-11 to Hogsmeade. The area around the castle is ok and there are a lot of fun shows- it's just the center of town that gets unbearably crowded.

 

[EmJ]

Here's what I'd do: Gringotts, Ollivanders, sight see/ spells. I don't think the area gets too bad until closer to 10:30-11. The majority of people don't plan amusement parks well and just roll up in the later morning. Which works great for the early birds. I would avoid Hogsmeade between 12-4 because of the crowds. Head over around 10:30-11 to Hogsmeade. The area around the castle is ok and there are a lot of fun shows- it's just the center of town that gets unbearably crowded.

Thank you!

 

[Bethany10]

Is there a place I can go and see which park is getting early entry beyond the actual Universal site? I noticed that touring plans has the info for April, but I'm hoping to find June. Or is everyone stuck until universal releases the info?

 

[EmJ]

Is there a place I can go and see which park is getting early entry beyond the actual Universal site? I noticed that touring plans has the info for April, but I'm hoping to find June. Or is everyone stuck until universal releases the info?

I’ve also wondered whether they will change from USF to IoA as the primary early entry park after Hagrid’s coaster is open.

 

[bchbetha]

Is there a place I can go and see which park is getting early entry beyond the actual Universal site? I noticed that touring plans has the info for April, but I'm hoping to find June. Or is everyone stuck until universal releases the info?

Who else but the official Universal site would have accurate info ahead of time? They just simply don't publish it that far in advance. Universal doesn't take the same kind of planning as Disney so you'll have plenty of time to devise a strategy even if you only get the dates a few days ahead of time.

 

[Bethany10]

Who else but the official Universal site would have accurate info ahead of time? They just simply don't publish it that far in advance. Universal doesn't take the same kind of planning as Disney so you'll have plenty of time to devise a strategy even if you only get the dates a few days ahead of time.

I know, I know I just like to KNOW. Know what I mean?

 

[EmJ]

I know, I know I just like to KNOW. Know what I mean?

I’m with you. I’m creating alternate plans A and B because I’m biologically incapable of waiting until a few days before anything to plan.

 

[SPAM]

I’ve also wondered whether they will change from USF to IoA as the primary early entry park after Hagrid’s coaster is open.

I was wondering as well, Maybe they could do both but switch back and forth different days.

 

[macraven]

Is there a place I can go and see which park is getting early entry beyond the actual Universal site? I noticed that touring plans has the info for April, but I'm hoping to find June. Or is everyone stuck until universal releases the info?

I usually go to the FAQ sticky and pull up the park hours that are listed there