What first

[matfel]

For those seasoned Harry Potter visitors could you please give some advice, we will be staying two nights August 20 and August 21st at the Hard Rock Hotel, our kids are 15 and 16, we will take advantage of the early opening of Harry Potter, what is your advice as to what to do first, should we do Forbidden Journey or something else first, I know we will have to line up for something but just wanted opinions, would we be best to walk to Islands of Adventure in the morning rather then take the boat, what is quickest.
thanks in advance

 

[damo]

If they want to see the Ollivander's show, line up for that first and then head to Forbidden Journey. After that, do the shops and then the other rides in Wizarding World.

Since you are onsite, you can do the rest of IOA and USF at your leisure.

 

[matfel]

What is the Ollivander show, I thought that was another store

 

[damo]

What is the Ollivander show, I thought that was another store

It is a show inside the wand shop where an audience member is chosen and the shop keeper helps them find their wand. There is a little "magic" when the wrong wands are chosen and then finally the right one. Lines get very long very quickly since they only take in about 30 people at a time into the shop for the show.

 

[matfel]

thanks Damo for the info, I think we will do that first the first day then maybe by pass it the second, we might as well do everything, don;t know when we will get back, Thanks for your advice

 

[Metro West]

I'm going to move this to the main board so you can get more responses.

 

[mesaboy2]

I completely agree with damo: do Ollivander's first.

 

[christophfam]

Don't forget that WWOHP is lovely in the evenings! Head there the last hour of the day and experience Hogsmead all lit up with less crowds.

 

[cbdmhgp]

Don't forget that WWOHP is lovely in the evenings! Head there the last hour of the day and experience Hogsmead all lit up with less crowds.

I completely agree. WWOHP is great in the morning but I love seeing it all lit up at night

 

[matfel]

Thanks so much to everyone, you are making decisions much easier for us, I think we will check out Harry Potter the first evening we are there and then get up real early to get there for early opening, is it best to walk or take the boat?

 

[damo]

Thanks so much to everyone, you are making decisions much easier for us, I think we will check out Harry Potter the first evening we are there and then get up real early to get there for early opening, is it best to walk or take the boat?

I would just walk. You are under 10 minutes from the IOA gates.

 

[mesaboy2]

Thanks so much to everyone, you are making decisions much easier for us, I think we will check out Harry Potter the first evening we are there and then get up real early to get there for early opening, is it best to walk or take the boat?

From Royal Pacific, we usually opted for the 10-minute walk in the mornings. The boat may or may not be faster, depending on luck and timing. We would usually take the boat back in the evenings, owing to exhaustion. I've never stayed at Hard Rock, but I don't think it would change my strategy much from this.

 

[SmallWorld71]

I agree with everyone, Ollivander's then FJ. Also wanted to put out the reminder that FJ has a single rider line which you could take advantage of anyone wants to ride multiple times. (Does not give you the whole castle walk through, but good for repeat rides.)