Harry Potter Exhibit at Universal Studios, Orlando, FL

ShaneWinston58

Thanks again everybody for your suggestions and assistance!!!:drinker:

couponfun

I was just there about 6 weeks ago and here's my take:

The main ride was great. Lots of lines but there's the castle to go through. Our big issue was it broke while in line, which does tend to happen, but we got through it okay.

The "Dueling Dragons" was a disappointment. I used to go to IoA when I lived in FL and remember when it was Dueling Dragons which was part of what made it fun and crazy/exciting/scary. The coasters crossed/came within feet of hitting, etc. It was great. But apparently someone tall stuck their arm out (from what I was told) and the guy got injured so they changed the timing so the coasters can't come close anymore. Now it's just 2 coasters running at different times.

The wand thing? I was furious with my husband and daughter for wanting to do it. $75 between the two of them for a couple of plastic wands, they stood in line for over an hour, and the highlight is the box that says "olivanders". Only a few people are "chosen" for the wand thing.

He loved the Butterbeer. Hippogriff was great for the toddler. Other than that, a lot smaller area than they make it out to be in the ads, etc, but it was well done. Just too small as far as the shops - can't fit more than a few people at a time.

Enjoy and good luck!

stfriend

Oooh, have fun. I'm such a kid about that series! I WANNA MEET HARRY POTTER!!

mushroomcup

If you go right once you hit the lake, it's a little quicker than going left.

kaylaandthestarcatcher

It's fastest to go through Seuss Land and the Lost Continent to get to Hogsmeade. Also, the lines and crowds are always smallest on Sundays. I've been there a few times and have a friend who worked there. I was just there last month, though, and it's usually busiest during the summer, and it wasn't that bad. It's not like it was when it first opened, with lines of people waiting to just get into Hogsmeade, although the lines for the attractions are still pretty long, but the longest I saw them when I was last there was like, 75 minutes. Which... compared to when I went the first time, a couple of months after it opened, it nothing.

The Forbidden Journey is one of THE COOLEST rides I have ever been on. I mean, maybe it's just because I'm a massive Potter fan, but still, it's so cool. And the line through the Hogwarts castle is also amazing.

I won't lie, the first time I went, I cried when I saw Hogwarts up close. I'm a very emotional person, and I've been wanting to go to Hogwarts since I first started reading the books when I was like, nine. It was a big deal for me.

giaciccone

As a Florida resident who frequents IOA & Universal...
Your best bet is to go through Seussland, which is a right. Typically, everyone tries to hit up the Incredible Hulk roller coaster as soon as they get into the park, just so they can get it out of the way, which is on the left as you walk in. Although, more & more thanks to Harry Potter's opening, people just head straight there. The mistake is that they head through Marvel Superhero Island, then Toontown, then Jurrasic Park, THEN finally hit WWOHP.

My best advice, go through Seussland, make your way through the crapload of small children, then get to The Lost Continent, then cut through to WWOHP.

Enjoy your stay!

BeantownSooner

Thanks for all of your information. I've been going to the site (Googled) "Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Studios" since before they opened that exhibit. It appears that the Harry Potter exhibit IS toward the back of the park, but that there is a "lake" in which you have to go around in order to get there (I think). I was also wondering which direction was the shortest way around the lake (if there is one)? I'll have to check the site again. I'm just not too sure about the map that they provide. I do know (from the sites map) that the cool rides are located toward the back of the exhibit. I was planning on going on the rides first, and then I was going to backtrack throughout the exhibit and see the other things (stores and eateries). Yes, I am planning on having their Butterbeer! I can not go there without trying it! I jump from planes, so I think I won't have a problem with the rides. I love roller coasters! I heard that if you are overweight, that you won't fit on the Harry Potter rides. Is that true? I weight 176lbs and am 5'7" tall. If that is true, then I have some exercising to do!!! Where do you get the ticket to enter the exhibit...if they still require one?

Was there a couple of months ago. The faster way is to the right when you get to the fork after entering the park. Marvel Super Heros is on the left and Dr. Seuss is right. Head to the right. While it's in the back the route is shorter going right. Also, would probably recommend Oleander's as your 1st stop. They only let in about 20-25 per 10-15 minute show so it can really take a long time. Whereas the big ride constantly moves even through the wait time will still be long. As for the overweight, don't sweat it you'll fit just fine as you are.

KimmyEB

As a Florida resident who frequents IOA & Universal...
Your best bet is to go through Seussland, which is a right. Typically, everyone tries to hit up the Incredible Hulk roller coaster as soon as they get into the park, just so they can get it out of the way, which is on the left as you walk in. Although, more & more thanks to Harry Potter's opening, people just head straight there. The mistake is that they head through Marvel Superhero Island, then Toontown, then Jurrasic Park, THEN finally hit WWOHP.

My best advice, go through Seussland, make your way through the crapload of small children, then get to The Lost Continent, then cut through to WWOHP.

Enjoy your stay!

As a fellow Florida resident that loves their year passes to Universal and Islands of Adventure, I agree with her! It does take longer to go through Marvel, Jurassic Park, and the cartoon land than it does Suess Landing and the Lost Continent area.

You will definitely not be too big for the ride. I'm bigger than you, and I have ample room on ALL of the rides.

Butterbeer is definitely good! I prefer it frozen, but both ways are good. Pumpkin Juice is a treat, too.

If you hit up Honeydukes, which is ALWAYS busy (especially if it rains!)...go there and look for what you want, but don't buy it then, unless you're heading straight home after that. It will melt..not to mention, you'll have to get a locker if you continue on with other stuff. Some of their more popular stuff like chocolate frogs, fizzing whizzbees (sp?), and others can be found at the Islands of Adventure store near the entrance/exit. That's what we do--just wait 'til we get there to buy it, since it's closer to the exit on our way out.

I've never done the wand thing at Olivander's...that line is always insanely long when I've been there. I've also heard that they really do it mainly for kids, so if an adult is wanting to be the one who the wand "chooses" in the thing, don't get your hopes up. At least that's what I've heard.

The rides are awesome! The Castle ride is amazing, Dragon Challenge (former Dueling Dragons) is always fun, though I've noticed this past year or so, every time that I go, one of the sides goes down. Just be patient, within 15 minutes, it's usually back up. Even the Hippogriff ride is fun.

Lots of opportunities for photos...it's so fun to walk around. I personally did not enjoy the restaurants, and I preferred the taste of the Butterbeer out at the barrel vendors vs. the indoor restaurants.

Go on a weekday, and avoid holidays and holiday breaks--it WILL be crowded! During Spring Break, we had to do the ticket thing, but otherwise, we've never had to.

I hope you enjoy! It's magical!

bfitgirl

Hi, I'm going to Orlando for christmas and have done a little bit of research today! this is what I got: Quote from some review site but thought it was helpful so cut n pasted it for myself!


Tip #1: It will kill you, but if you get to WWoHP when it opens, do NOT run to join the crowds streaming into Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Instead, get in line for Ollivanders. I have never in my life run from rope-drop directly to a gift shop, but in this case it was worth it. The little “wand chooses you” show they do for about 20 people at a time in Ollivanders is cute, but it is SO not worth waiting an hour in line for. See it first with only a 5- or 10-minute wait and then run to Forbidden Journey. At least that one has a partially shaded queue with interesting things to look at! After the show, they herd you into what I think was the Owl Post shop, or maybe Dervish & Banges. We dashed straight out to get in line for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and then every time we went back it was so mobbed by people coming out of the wand shop that we never really got a good look at it. Now I wish we’d taken the extra time to see it.

Tip #2: When you get to Forbidden Journey, you will see a huge line all the way back down the path to the castle, and you will freak out. The best tip we learned prior to going was THIS LINE IS NOT FOR THE RIDE. It is for the lockers where you have to stash anything bigger than a point-and-shoot camera! Bypass this line by going up the path to the exit for the ride’s gift shop, passing through the shop, and accessing the nearly empty back section of lockers that the people lining up at the other entrance don’t seem to see.

Buy Butterbeer frozen at Hog’s Head not the stalls.
The candy sweets don’t taste as nice as they look :sad: so don't waste your money!
(Finish Quote)

I'd love to know how you got on, will you report back?

skylark94

I agree with those who suggest going right. All of the most popular rides (Hulk, Spider Man, etc) are to the left, so that's the way the crowds tend to go.

I was there only a couple of months after HP opened. I'm not a fan, so I wasn't super impressed, but the lines were very reasonable so we did the rides. I have always loved Dueling Dragons (or whatever they call it now). The HP ride was cheesy, but fun.

Butterbeer is awesome!

KimmyEB

Hi, I'm going to Orlando for christmas and have done a little bit of research today! this is what I got: Quote from some review site but thought it was helpful so cut n pasted it for myself!


Tip #1: It will kill you, but if you get to WWoHP when it opens, do NOT run to join the crowds streaming into Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Instead, get in line for Ollivanders. I have never in my life run from rope-drop directly to a gift shop, but in this case it was worth it. The little “wand chooses you” show they do for about 20 people at a time in Ollivanders is cute, but it is SO not worth waiting an hour in line for. See it first with only a 5- or 10-minute wait and then run to Forbidden Journey. At least that one has a partially shaded queue with interesting things to look at! After the show, they herd you into what I think was the Owl Post shop, or maybe Dervish & Banges. We dashed straight out to get in line for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and then every time we went back it was so mobbed by people coming out of the wand shop that we never really got a good look at it. Now I wish we’d taken the extra time to see it.

Tip #2: When you get to Forbidden Journey, you will see a huge line all the way back down the path to the castle, and you will freak out. The best tip we learned prior to going was THIS LINE IS NOT FOR THE RIDE. It is for the lockers where you have to stash anything bigger than a point-and-shoot camera! Bypass this line by going up the path to the exit for the ride’s gift shop, passing through the shop, and accessing the nearly empty back section of lockers that the people lining up at the other entrance don’t seem to see.

Buy Butterbeer frozen at Hog’s Head not the stalls.
The candy sweets don’t taste as nice as they look :sad: so don't waste your money!
(Finish Quote)

I'd love to know how you got on, will you report back?

That review is almost completely opposite of what I'd say, and I've been there over 20 times. Definitely disagree with them about the Butterbeer and sweets from Honeydukes...and sometimes the ride for the castle really IS that long, and it's not just lockers. Best to check with one of the employees working the lines. It usually isn't that long, but I'd rather avoid an angry mob harassing me for cutting the line. Places like that are all different for everyone--some people hated the park, others loved it. I personally really enjoy going.

Louisianababy93

IM SO JELOUS OF YOU RIGHT NOW!

bfitgirl

That review is almost completely opposite of what I'd say, and I've been there over 20 times. Definitely disagree with them about the Butterbeer and sweets from Honeydukes...and sometimes the ride for the castle really IS that long, and it's not just lockers. Best to check with one of the employees working the lines. It usually isn't that long, but I'd rather avoid an angry mob harassing me for cutting the line. Places like that are all different for everyone--some people hated the park, others loved it. I personally really enjoy going.

Oh no, r u serious? Well that showed me! Offering up opinions of others!:ohwell: it was definitely by a person who loved Disney though maybe they were not as big a fan of universal. I can just see the scene as I cu t through the gift shop and think I've found the hidden lockers and then mobbed, eek!

KimmyEB

That review is almost completely opposite of what I'd say, and I've been there over 20 times. Definitely disagree with them about the Butterbeer and sweets from Honeydukes...and sometimes the ride for the castle really IS that long, and it's not just lockers. Best to check with one of the employees working the lines. It usually isn't that long, but I'd rather avoid an angry mob harassing me for cutting the line. Places like that are all different for everyone--some people hated the park, others loved it. I personally really enjoy going.

Oh no, r u serious? Well that showed me! Offering up opinions of others!:ohwell: it was definitely by a person who loved Disney though maybe they were not as big a fan of universal. I can just see the scene as I cu t through the gift shop and think I've found the hidden lockers and then mobbed, eek!

Haha, among my friends, we have our Disney lovers and our Universal lovers--I haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaate Disney so very much, but I love Universal. :laugh: