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

[Sideshow Mike]

jmercer, check the wait times board when you first enter the park. FJ is averaging about 40-45 minute wait since the busy season ended. I suggest go straight to FJ early in the morning because it is going to get busier around twelveish (at least that is what happened to me the last few times I went to IOA).

Go through the queue slowly if you want to see everything. The only bland section of the queue is the green house. Once you pass the green house, the line speeds up. So step to the side and let people pass you if you want to observe the different areas and take pictures.

I think you will be okay when it comes to the seat. Just to be safe, test the test seat outside the castle or right before the loading dock. If you get a green light, you are clear to ride on a regular bench. If you get a yellow light, you will have to ride one of the larger seats. I'm pretty sure you will be able to ride the normal seats though. I'm 6'2 and weigh around 210 lbs and I fit just fine on the regular seat.

 

[Hatetofly]

Finally heading to see WWOHP in a few days. I waited way too long but it was beyond my control. I do have some questions:

1) What's the new game plan? Is it acceptable to do the traditional Hulk-and-Spidey first or should I beeline straight to FJ?
2) First time riding FJ, should I take the queue slowly and absorb the atmosphere, letting people pass?
3) I'm 6'0, 225 lbs. For anyone near that range, will I fit in standard FJ seating or will I need modified? I've seen pics of the benches, and the seats do look snug.

Hope this helps you out and enjoy your trip!

1.If you want to cover everything go directly to Ollivanders and then do the FJ. Ollivanders should post some of the longest waits of any attraction within both parks. The FJ is a people eater and you will be able to get multiple rides using single riders, and believe me you will want to get in MULTIPLE RIDEs.


2.Your first time through will be sensory overload regardless of whether you go fast or slow. My suggestion don't let people pass you just walk through, if anything go through the stand by a few times. But I think once you get on the ride you will blow right through the queue just to get back to the AMAZING FJ!


3.Now I currently am at 6'1 and weigh 222 pounds but during previews I weighed about 245 pounds. I was able to get three clicks all by myself with no problem. How ever my legs were stapled in and it was a little uncomfortable. But since I lost the weight I can get four or maybe even five clicks if I really tried. YOU WILL BE FINE. Just take some laxatives for a day and you will drop a quick 5-10 pounds before your trip if your nervous.

 

[rinacee]

So excited! I think I'm going back to Uni this Sunday! It's been too long for my tastes...Once I got my annual, I was hooked. I haven't been since July 10-ish...I can't wait to see even the most minor changes!
Would you say crowds will be bearable? It's a Sunday, but I know it's HHN season...Also, I only plan to go to IOA.
Thanks guys! You have no idea how excited I am for this. Things are hectic right now for me (applications, applications, tests, applications, job searching...) and it's not often I get to take a day to just do what I want to!

 

[Hatetofly]

So excited! I think I'm going back to Uni this Sunday! It's been too long for my tastes...Once I got my annual, I was hooked. I haven't been since July 10-ish...I can't wait to see even the most minor changes!
Would you say crowds will be bearable? It's a Sunday, but I know it's HHN season...Also, I only plan to go to IOA.
Thanks guys! You have no idea how excited I am for this. Things are hectic right now for me (applications, applications, tests, applications, job searching...) and it's not often I get to take a day to just do what I want to!

Crowds shouldn't be real bad, I would expect 45-60 for FJ and Ollivanders, and large crowds within Hogsmeade but nothing in comparison to your trip in July. I hope you have a blast, I usually have the most fun when I get to take a day and just go at my own pace grab an adult beverage and people watch.

 

[grizzlybarely]

Is Ollivander's open at park opening? If it opens 30 mins later than the rest of the park, I don't want to do Ollivander's first. Just asking since it's at the back of the park, plus it's basically a show.

 

[Hatetofly]

Is Ollivander's open at park opening? If it opens 30 mins later than the rest of the park, I don't want to do Ollivander's first. Just asking since it's at the back of the park, plus it's basically a show.

Everytime I have been Ollivanders was open at opening. Maybe things have recently changed but not to my knowledge. And if your not into show or attractions of that nature than don't do it head for the FJ. I mean I have been many times and Ollivanders is still the only attraction I have yet to do within the park.

 

[grizzlybarely]

If there's no line, I'll try Ollivander's. It seems really cool. I won't be devastated if I miss it. I'll cry like a toddler that got his balloon stolen if I miss FJ.

 

[Hatetofly]

If there's no line, I'll try Ollivander's. It seems really cool. I won't be devastated if I miss it. I'll cry like a toddler that got his balloon stolen if I miss FJ.

No you will cry way harder than that.

 

[speckles]

If you want to do Ollivander's..do it first, you will never regret missing that line which forms later....

 

[Vyrus]

Usually middle of the afternoon when I went 2 Sunday's ago was only a 30 minute line, the problem is standing under the harsh Florida sun.

Do Olli's early or late to avoid the sun.

 

[rinacee]

Usually middle of the afternoon when I went 2 Sunday's ago was only a 30 minute line, the problem is standing under the harsh Florida sun.

Do Olli's early or late to avoid the sun.

I agree with this. The wait is not pleasant in the sun. At least it's cooling down...when I went to the opening, it was a one and half hour wait (only took an hour) and it was really, really hot just sitting/standing there.

 

[Felipe]

If you go on a day when there's Halloween Horror Nights, then do Ollivander's in the morning because they will close it before it's dark (they close IoA early those days too). Last Sunday I was about to get in line when the lady closed it as I was 5 steps away from going in :'( And she didn't let me through even though there were only 6 people in line :rant: She told me it was "closed for the day" because it was already 6:30pm :bang:

I still have not done the Ollivander's experience :'(

 

[Vyrus]

Its definitely a neat experience, but I wish that the wandkeeper would choose kids who are over the age of 11, or adults. They sometimes pick kids who have the look of a deer in headlights and they either have to walk them through it and it loses its magic, or the have to kick the kid out and get someone else at that point.

 

[Frogki]

Its definitely a neat experience, but I wish that the wandkeeper would choose kids who are over the age of 11, or adults. They sometimes pick kids who have the look of a deer in headlights and they either have to walk them through it and it loses its magic, or the have to kick the kid out and get someone else at that point.

Yes, if your going to do it at least keep it relatively canon by choosing people who are 11 and older (those who are older should be told "You're in need of a new wand - other one snapped in half I suppose? No matter, I can find you a new wand" etc)...

 

[Disneyhead]

Oh wait, what is this I see?

Finally added to the gate:

 

[Rock'nRoller]

Yay! It's finally on the gate.

 

[Tbad556]

Sweet! Glad to finally see it added to the gate. Thanks for the update, Disneyhead! :thumbs:

 

[mantaguy]

^ :faint: Finally! It still doesn't blend in perfectly, but really it's the best we could have hoped for.

 

[emily7793]

^ :faint: Finally! It still doesn't blend in perfectly, but really it's the best we could have hoped for.

It's arguably the best area of the park and it doesn't even have a swirl around it! Hah!

 

[Hatetofly]

Thanks for the pics DH, good eye! :rep:

^Post # 14k. WOW! Add in the first thread and your at 24876 posts between the two main threads. That doesn't include all the other Potter threads.