The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade (Orlando): Part 2

[rinacee]

Thanks very much! I figured it would be a little crowded with locals because of MLK Day.

 

[damond.themeparks]

Hello everyone! Long time no post!
I'm pretty excited because I'm probably going to be heading back to Uni on Saturday. It's my birthday that day, and I can't think of a better way to spend it than at IoA and especially WWoHP. My good friend recently got an annual and so she may come with me. Needless to say, I'm very excited. I haven't been to the parks in months. It's been too long!
Last time my friend went, there was a super long wait to get into the island. Should I expect anything close to this on Saturday? I know it's not exactly 'in season' anymore, but I'd just like your opinions
Also, I was wondering if anyone off of Orlando United is planning to go to Leakycon. It's in Orlando at some of the Uni hotels. I'm 99.99% positive that I'm going, I just need to finalize my registration. I cannot wait, and hope to see some of you there!

I think it might be crowded because that is a holiday weekend (Martin Luther king I believe). But when you do go, go early in the morning cause IoA is getting full fast. I would arrive at the gates 30min before it opens. There isn't really that much of a rush, but it helps. Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY I HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY IN UNI!! Btw no matter how long the wait time is for Harry potter, do it anyways. It's amazing. Best ride i've ever been on.

 

[Roll N Fear]

Hello everyone! Long time no post!
I'm pretty excited because I'm probably going to be heading back to Uni on Saturday. It's my birthday that day, and I can't think of a better way to spend it than at IoA and especially WWoHP. My good friend recently got an annual and so she may come with me. Needless to say, I'm very excited. I haven't been to the parks in months. It's been too long!
Last time my friend went, there was a super long wait to get into the island. Should I expect anything close to this on Saturday? I know it's not exactly 'in season' anymore, but I'd just like your opinions
Also, I was wondering if anyone off of Orlando United is planning to go to Leakycon. It's in Orlando at some of the Uni hotels. I'm 99.99% positive that I'm going, I just need to finalize my registration. I cannot wait, and hope to see some of you there!

I'll be there on Saturday too so I'm hoping for the best. Like others have said, it's a holiday weekend so it should be pretty busy.

 

[TSSD]

Hello everyone! Long time no post!
I'm pretty excited because I'm probably going to be heading back to Uni on Saturday. It's my birthday that day, and I can't think of a better way to spend it than at IoA and especially WWoHP. My good friend recently got an annual and so she may come with me. Needless to say, I'm very excited. I haven't been to the parks in months. It's been too long!
Last time my friend went, there was a super long wait to get into the island. Should I expect anything close to this on Saturday? I know it's not exactly 'in season' anymore, but I'd just like your opinions
Also, I was wondering if anyone off of Orlando United is planning to go to Leakycon. It's in Orlando at some of the Uni hotels. I'm 99.99% positive that I'm going, I just need to finalize my registration. I cannot wait, and hope to see some of you there!

You get to spend your birthday in the WWoHP?! LUCKY!!!!!!!!!!! As for Leakycon, I wish I could go, but for some reason my parents don't want to fly down to Orlando for a Harry Potter conference for the second year in a row.

 

[rinacee]

I think it might be crowded because that is a holiday weekend (Martin Luther king I believe). But when you do go, go early in the morning cause IoA is getting full fast. I would arrive at the gates 30min before it opens. There isn't really that much of a rush, but it helps. Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY I HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY IN UNI!! Btw no matter how long the wait time is for Harry potter, do it anyways. It's amazing. Best ride i've ever been on.

Thank you so much I've been there a few times before, and it is definitely worth the wait. Thanks for the advice!

I'll be there on Saturday too so I'm hoping for the best. Like others have said, it's a holiday weekend so it should be pretty busy.

Cool! I hope you have a good time.

You get to spend your birthday in the WWoHP?! LUCKY!!!!!!!!!!! As for Leakycon, I wish I could go, but for some reason my parents don't want to fly down to Orlando for a Harry Potter conference for the second year in a row.

Yeah, I'm pumped I've had my annual since last Feb (going to expire soon...sad) and when I found out January 15th was a Saturday this year, I freaked. Going during the week is always difficult.
So you went to Infinitus? That's awesome ;D I've never been to a Potter con. I'm just happy it's in Orlando, and I can't wait to see if they can do an event like Night of a Thousand Wizards.

 

[Hatetofly]

Didn't see this posted, its a nice little read but nothing new.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/us/09potter.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=harry potter&st=cse

 

[Helena123]

^ Nice article, although the person who said, “Up until now, nobody ever said this or that is better than Disney,” has obviously never visited this site

 

[damond.themeparks]

The article was alright. The facts were good though, I never knew Disney was gonna make a Harry potter ride. I'm glad that JK declined it though what Disney was gonna do would have ruined the series. But the guy who wrote it definitely isn't that much of a theme park enthusiast. While Disney is number one, they aren't that far ahead. Universal is definitely catching up. It used to be "hey kids were goin to Disney World!" "WOHOOO!", now it's more "Hey kids were goin to disney World! " yaaaaay! But can we go to universal too?"

 

[Vyrus]

Disney is still quite a ways ahead because they have mastered the fact that they keep people from leaving property. Magical Express is a BIIIG part of it as they pick them up from the airport, bring them on property and thats it they are gone. When it comes to UNI, they are a bit hindered by that because all 3 of their hotels are premium properties, so they are always priced higher. Uni needs to build at least 2 more hotels, both of them more moderately priced and you will see how much more money and business Uni will be able to keep.

 

[damond.themeparks]

Disney is still quite a ways ahead because they have mastered the fact that they keep people from leaving property. Magical Express is s BIIIG part of it as they pick them up from the airport, bring them on property and thats it they are gone. When it comes to UNI, they are a bit hindered by that because all 3 of their hotels are premium properties, so they are always priced higher. Uni needs to build at least 2 more hotels, both of them more moderately priced and you will see how much more money and business Uni will be able to keep.

You know what, that's a really good point I forgot of. Uni should build some more hotels (maybe as their expansion to Harry potter they could make one themed around hogwarts). They need at least 2 more big hotels and I'm not even sure if they have bus transpiration like Disney does which should be the next step. With the success of hp they should be getting quite a bit of extra cash.

 

[TSSD]

You know what, that's a really good point I forgot of. Uni should build some more hotels (maybe as their expansion to Harry potter they could make one themed around hogwarts).

Uni should build a new hotel, but not one based around Hogwarts. No way that would get Jo's approval.

 

[damond.themeparks]

Uni should build a new hotel, but not one based around Hogwarts. No way that would get Jo's approval.

Well actually she might because she was very pleased with the results of the Harry potter themed land, and there is already a strong possibility of an expansion. They should make a hotel based on hogwarts. One of the resteraunts could be like the dining area in the books and be a buffet for breakfast lunch and dinner. Have floating candles on top, a replica of dumbldores seat in the back, and every once in a while something magical will happen (i making this up as I go along) and bam that could be the equivalent of chef mickeys! The rooms could be modeled after the dorms from the book (which were pretty nice) and uuh that ghost girl from the books that lived in the bathroom could be turned into a big pool area and the center of it can have the ghost girl saying stuff every once in a while or maybe shoot water out of a big fountain or something XD with a little sprucing up that would be a pretty cool hotel!

 

[Sideshow Mike]

How have the crowds been this week? I am planning on going next week and I have been wondering about the crowds.

 

[damond.themeparks]

The crowds are probably still pretty bad cause it's a holiday weekend. But I would say go around maybe early febuary because there aren't any holidays and most kids will be in school.

 

[TSSD]

Well actually she might because she was very pleased with the results of the Harry potter themed land, and there is already a strong possibility of an expansion. They should make a hotel based on hogwarts. One of the resteraunts could be like the dining area in the books and be a buffet for breakfast lunch and dinner. Have floating candles on top, a replica of dumbldores seat in the back, and every once in a while something magical will happen (i making this up as I go along) and bam that could be the equivalent of chef mickeys! The rooms could be modeled after the dorms from the book (which were pretty nice) and uuh that ghost girl from the books that lived in the bathroom could be turned into a big pool area and the center of it can have the ghost girl saying stuff every once in a while or maybe shoot water out of a big fountain or something XD with a little sprucing up that would be a pretty cool hotel!

How would they explain two different Hogwarts in one resort? Besides, I don't think she would like the idea of Hogwarts as a hotel at all.

 

[Hatetofly]

Before the economy continued a nose dive Universal announced plans to build two more hotels and another small shopping district on the south end of the property. There is some concept art around here somewhere.

 

[Vyrus]

How have the crowds been this week? I am planning on going next week and I have been wondering about the crowds.

FJ had a 15 minute wait recently, as long as you don't go this weekend, then you should be good :thumbs:

 

[Tbad556]

How have the crowds been this week? I am planning on going next week and I have been wondering about the crowds.

Here's an update from about 15 minutes ago:

Current Islands of Adventure waits: Hulk 15min, Dooms Fearfall 5min, Spiderman 35, Forbidden Journey 60, Dragon Challenge 15

Current Universal Studios waits: Mummy 10min, Rockit CLOSED, Jaws 5min, Simpsons 5min, Men in Black 30min, Shrek 5min.

 

[damond.themeparks]

Eeeeh I don't think they would really have to explain anything and if they would, I would just say this is a different area of hogwarts (I mean hogwarts is huge so why not.)and I think jk would let them I mean why not? It sounds fun. But before they build another hotel, they should either buy more land around uni/IoA or make an entirely new park. They already have people coming I mean the parks are at max capacity a lot now, so building a new hotel bow would hurt them more then help.

 

[Sideshow Mike]

Thanks guys for the updates! Uni should definitely build a new hotel. Maybe something not as expensive like they have now but something moderately priced.