WWOHP... what age??

[TxDisFans]

We have the opportunity to plan a last-minute trip, just me and my two kids.

DD (8), DS (6) and I are huge Potter fanatics, dying to go. BUT... they have only read through book 4 and seen only movies 1 and 2. I haven't let them read on b/c of the dark/scary nature of the later books. (Of course, I have read and seen *everything*).

Will they understand all that they are seeing?

AND... the big question... can they handle FJ? I've read all I can read but am still not sure. DS is *barely* 48". They are sort of... chickens. I've discussed it with them but they can't figure out if it will be too scary for them.... they can't bear to say "no." If they can't do FJ, is it worth going?

I hate to miss this chance (it involves miraculous free plane tickets) but, on the other hand, it is still an expense for us...

What would you do? Take this trip? Or pass for now wait a year or two?

 

[damo]

I'd still go. The FJ ride isn't all there is to do. They will like the shops and shows and the castle tour and the little roller coaster.

 

[jeanico2000]

Although FJ may be too intense if your kids frighten easily (it has a lot of spooky bits), the HP area of the park is so beautiful and quaint that I am sure you would all love it. Arrive as early as you possibly can and start with Ollivanders. Next take the Hogwarts Castle tour and go on the Flight of the Hippogriff before visiting the stores. Treat yourselves to some pumpkin juice and/or butterbeer, and be sure to take in the two delightul HP related shows: The frog choir and the dancing Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students. The shows alternate, and you then have some great photo ops with the performers. Early lunch at The Three Broomsticks is always nice, and then take the kids around the rest of IOA. There is a lot of great stuff for everyone to do there too!

 

[DISdreamin']

We just went two weeks ago with our kids, 6 and 8. Our six year old had no interest in the HP books or movies whatsoever and thus was bored the entire time we were in the WWOHP section. DS, 8, loved every minute of it, and was very pleased to have been to see it. All his classmates were wild about the photos he brought in to school, as that whole section of the IOA park is simply amazing if you are a HP fan.

*I* am glad we went to see it, and I only wish we had made the time to go at night to see the castle in the dark. I can imagine it would be lovely!

In short, you're talking to someone who dropped about $350 for her son to see HP, and I don't regret it in the least! We essentially did the Seuss thing for DD and WWoHP for DS and that was it for us at IOA, and both kids had a great day - what more can you ask for on vacation?!

 

[Momw/aplan]

My son had only read through book 4 (or maybe 5) when we went and he had no trouble with it at all. In fact the land only incorporates material from the first 4 books right now (from what I understand they will eventually incorporate themeing from the rest of the books at some point in the future).

Even if you decide not to ride FJ you can still take a "tour" of the castle without getting on the ride at the end. That alone is worth going for! And as a fan of the books and movies I felt like Olivander's, Three Broomsticks, and Hogsmeade were in and of themselves worthy of a trip as well.

Oh, and Hogwarts Express, too!

Yeah. There's plenty to do and see even if you never get on a ride. And don't forget about the rest of IOA as well. We had a blast in the whole park. I can't wait to go back again!

 

[bumbershoot]

They won't understand what dementors are, etc, but if they go on the ride and are not scared they can still enjoy it. DS has only just started watching #3.

My 6 year old did not go on the ride; he walked through the castle on my way to the ride, then he and DH exited. And he was too small for the BIG coaster. But still, he LOVED the Wizarding World. Just BEING in Hogsmeade (even though DS and your kids don't know what it is, you can still explain that it's the town where the kids go in future stories) was incredible. Happily the Butterbeer was relatively OK for DS to drink (he has to avoid certain ingredients) and he enjoyed that. None of us enjoyed the Pumpkin Juice so we are glad we only bought one bottle, but it still looks adorable sitting in our living room.

As for the fear factor, there are big scary dementors, enormous spiders that spit at you, there's a dragon that breathes fire on you and it is VERY close...there's definitely some frightening elements! The beginning of it is awesome though; the feeling of flight is incredible. (for me it all went down once the spiders showed up, and I came off the ride extremely nauseated and didn't feel well until well into the next day)

Once I was off the ride, I was glad beyond belief that DS decided to not ride.

And still, again, being in WWOHP was an incredible experience, and we're excited for our next trip. Oh, and the rest of Universal was awesome as well, exceeded all expectations I had by a millionfold!

So GO GO GO!



Oh, I should also mention that DS loved the Flight of the Hippogriff coaster. On our last day, he and I went on it 14, yes fourteen, times. In a row. He loved that ride....

 

[TxDisFans]

Thanks everyone! This is really helpful!

The issue with FJ is somewhat bigger since I'll be there alone with the two kids. So, if DS can't/won't ride.... None of us can ride, since there isn't another adult to wait with him. We will be sort of an all-or-nothing deal for all of the rides.

Can anyone think of a way around this? I really can't.... He's too young to wait alone.


I think we will try to go anyway, though! The tip to stay onsite is a great one.... Will look into that!

 

[christophfam]

Thanks everyone! This is really helpful!

The issue with FJ is somewhat bigger since I'll be there alone with the two kids. So, if DS can't/won't ride.... None of us can ride, since there isn't another adult to wait with him. We will be sort of an all-or-nothing deal for all of the rides.

Can anyone think of a way around this? I really can't.... He's too young to wait alone.


I think we will try to go anyway, though! The tip to stay onsite is a great one.... Will look into that!

If you do stay onsite, you could put DS in the kids club for a bit and run over to IOA one night with DD to give FJ a try.

I would recommend having them see the third movie before you go. If they've read book as you say, they already know about dementors. Watching the third movie will show them what they look like on the ride and may make it less intimidating on the ride.