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My vacation isn't long enough, and I want to spend most of my time at WDW. However, there is no way I can fly all the way across the country and NOT go to WWOHP! So please tell me,realistically, what I can/should be looking at timeframe-wise.
We are going to IoA on Monday December 5th. My plane leaves for home at 5:10pm...I am thinking I probably need to start heading out of US about 2pm, does that sound right? I am thinking an hour to make it to the parking lot, drive to MCO, turn in the rental car and check in for our flight.
So if we are at US at rope drop, that gives us 5 hours in my estimation. Our sole intent for going to US is to do WWOHP. However, I have been lurking through the threads and I understand from what all of you have posted that everyone makes a mad dash for WWOHP and the rest of the park is empty in the first hours of opening. So here are my questions -
*Considering when we are going, how long do you think it will take to be able to see everything in WWOHP, without feeling like we are rushing or missing anything?
*From what I have read, most people dash over there first and the rest of the park is empty. So, what is a good estimate of how long it is super crowded in WWOHP?
*Do you think we have enough time to do other things first, like Spiderman or other things, and then head over to WWOHP when crowds have thinned a little? Considering my 5 hour window, if we did that, would there be enough time to fully tour WWOHP?
I am just trying to utilize my time fully. I still can't believe that I am going to spend just under $300 for 3 people to go to US for for 5 hours , but hey... I can't miss Harry Potter!
Thank you in advance for your guidance. I could really use your opinion!
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Saturday, October 9, 2014 - Kaitlyn and I before the Happy Haunted 5K at ESPN Wide World of Sports
I think you need to start at WWoHP and deal with the crowds. Stay as long as you want, and do other things only if you decde you're ready to leave Hogsmeade. If you find the crowds unbearable, ask about a return time before you cross out of the HP section and decide if that will leave you enough time to come back.
If you wait and do other things before even attempting WWoHP, you could get a return time after lunch -- and $300 for only 2 hours is just nuts!
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Carolyn
Last edited by Carousel96; 10-18-2011 at 12:40 PM..
We went to US on Monday 3rd October and didn't arrive at the gate of IOA until 9.15am. We were not staying at a US resort and did not purchase the Express passes. We entered the WWoHP about 11ish and were done experiencing, riding(some things 2 or 3 times), photographing and eating (counter service place but we were shown to our table after getting our tray???) by 2.15pm.
FYI we were a group of 15px including kids and we had to wait to switch as someone had to wait with the littlest kids so with only a group of three guests you should move through a lot faster!
PS In 2010 my family spent over $2000 to experience Universal Studios Osaka (we were staying in Tokyo and took the bullet train) for a one day park visit. We travelled the first day, slept overnight, checked out early in the morning and went to the park, collected our luggage and took the train back to Toyko!!!
You are NOT crazy spending $100 per person for 5hrs - just a diehard fan! Have fun!
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Start at WWOHP, at park open or earlier if you stay at one of their onsite hotels, and do whatever you want to do, making sure to hit Ollivander's first off because the lines WILL get lengthy fast, and then go around to the rest of the park.
You can justify it further because Marvel (now a Disney-owned company) have costumed characters in one "island" at Islands of Adventure called Marvel Super Hero Island. However, Universal does not appear to have a PhotoPass like system for photos with the Marvel characters (Spider-Man, Rogue, Storm, Wolverine, Captain America, and sometimes Cyclops), and I believe they changed who handled the pictures from you buy once I got home like two or three months after my trip. They changed from this to this. Not sure as yet what difference it makes in the parks, but someone please help me out and give me some insight here.
We went to US on Monday 3rd October and didn't arrive at the gate of IOA until 9.15am. We were not staying at a US resort and did not purchase the Express passes. We entered the WWoHP about 11ish and were done experiencing, riding(some things 2 or 3 times), photographing and eating (counter service place but we were shown to our table after getting our tray???) by 2.15pm.
FYI we were a group of 15px including kids and we had to wait to switch as someone had to wait with the littlest kids so with only a group of three guests you should move through a lot faster!
PS In 2010 my family spent over $2000 to experience Universal Studios Osaka (we were staying in Tokyo and took the bullet train) for a one day park visit. We travelled the first day, slept overnight, checked out early in the morning and went to the park, collected our luggage and took the train back to Toyko!!!
You are NOT crazy spending $100 per person for 5hrs - just a diehard fan! Have fun!
Yay! Thanks for this post - we will be there on a Monday, sounds a lot like our setup...minus the 15 people! Can I ask why you waited until 11am to enter WWOHP? Was there a wait to get in?
And thank you. That makes me feel better!
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Saturday, October 9, 2014 - Kaitlyn and I before the Happy Haunted 5K at ESPN Wide World of Sports
I agree. Definitely start with WWOHP and deal with the crowds. You won't want to regret missing something because the lines were still too long later. I'm sure you'll have a great time! Also, don't miss Spiderman--- I love that ride!
Me too... I have been to US FL twice, and it's one of my favorites! I'm bringing a newbie, and because we don't have Spiderman on the west coast, I want him to experience it. But WWOHP is definitely #1 on our list!
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Saturday, October 9, 2014 - Kaitlyn and I before the Happy Haunted 5K at ESPN Wide World of Sports
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I need your expert opinion...
However, there is no way I can fly all the way across the country and NOT go to WWOHP! 
So please tell me, realistically, what I can/should be looking at timeframe-wise.
, but hey... I can't miss Harry Potter! 
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Pixie Dust
Can I ask why you waited until 11am to enter WWOHP? 
Was there a wait to get in?
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