As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.
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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
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Moving on with the current of the years.
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To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
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So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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We are planning a trip down to wdw in October and my husband wants me to take a day and visit Harry Potter. Now please know I love HP and have read all the books a few times each. It just feels weird leaving my boys and disney in favor of anything else.
Is it really as cool and immersive as it appears? Is it worth it for just that area of US? How much time for rides and some shopping and a meal?
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I feel like the theming is exceptional. It felt like we had been dropped right into the movie/book. If you like Harry Potter, I think you will love visiting this attraction and the area. We spend at least one day there on each of our trips now. The FJ ride is unlike anything I've experienced before. Each time we do it, I see and experience something new. Take the castle tour and you can stop and enjoy all the extra details and features they have included. It's hard to stop and really take it all in when you are in the line for the ride since it is continually moving, but you can stop as many times and for as long as you want on the castle tour. Be sure to take your time in the shops also as they are just as detailed. My one suggestion would be that if you want to see the wand show at Olivanders that you make that your first stop. I have never not seen a line for this. In June, we were there during a rainstorm that lasted about 30 minutes. We stayed inside until the rain started to slow down some and then just put on our ponchos and headed for the FJ. There were people waiting in the rain to get into Olivanders! Shortest line I'd ever seen there but those people were soaked and there must have been 20 or so people in line. Just for perspective, the FJ ride was a walkon so I don't think there is ever not a line for the wand show!
As for time, I think it depends on when you are going. Weekdays in October should be fairly slow so 3-4 hours will probably give you enough time to see and experience everything in the WWOHP including eating at the Three Broomsticks. Columbus Day weekend will probably be a little busier than the other weekends and any of the weekends will be busier than during the week. Their halloween party runs Thursday through Sunday evenings on the Universal Studios side so that park will close earlier those nights but if your only plan is Harry Potter, than that won't affect you.
yes, it's absolutely worth it-loved every moment, even the ride which was amazing. We ate dinner at the three broomsticks, the line moves quickly for dinner and it was our best meal. Loved the butter beer and seeing all the shops.
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Yes, it is sooo worth it. Best ride in Orlando. There are many very cool rides at IOA. It's easily worth a whole day. The food at The Three Broomsticks is pretty good
I will have to be the single vote against. I did not like the Wizarding World, and the experience was ruined. Here is a quote from another thread from me.
We went on January 7th and it was horrible! The wait for Forbidden Journey was easily 3 hours, the shops all an hour, and the other rides at least an hour and a half. You couldn't walk without walking into a line! It was so crowded that we had to leave within five hours (3 of which were spent waiting in line for the ride!) There was no where to stand no where to pause and look at sights, all of it was packed with people. I hated it, it was worse than Disney has ever been, there was no ropes or chains to keep the lines in order, everyone was cutting no one knew where the lines were going but everyone wanted to be at the front. None of the workers were helpful or wanted to keep the crowds in control, and it became the worse part of our vacation. Think long and hard about the order you want to do things because if you don't do it exactly right everyone else will be in front of you.
I would not go, there is nothing there that was worth it for me. I disliked the way it was set up, the lines, and the crowd control. The rides were not that good, and we could not even do two things (Ollivanders and Hippogriph) because of the lines. I would stay with your family at Disney.
Would you enjoy it more if your boys were older and you went as a family?
We liked Universal more than we expected to. And I thought WWoHP was wonderful -- it really felt like we were walking on the movie set. The hidden surprises like the store windows were wonderful, and the people working in Hogsmeade loved their jobs. Even DH and DSIL's motion sickness problems from FJ didn't ruin the day -- slowed us down considerably, but...
That said, I don't know that I would have been able to enjoy it as much if I'd left my family behind and gone by myself.
And I thought WWoHP was wonderful -- it really felt like we were walking on the movie set. The hidden surprises like the store windows were wonderful, and the people working in Hogsmeade loved their jobs.
I agree. I loved every single moment of it. My husband knew better than to rush me through, and let me meander and take my time. When our little girl (almost 4 at the time) started getting fidgety, they just went back on the Hippogriff ride so she'd be happy. (She loved that ride.)
I did not do the wand-thing at Ollivanders, I wasn't fussed about it. I figure I can try again some other time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carousel96
That said, I don't know that I would have been able to enjoy it as much if I'd left my family behind and gone by myself.
See, now that I've been with my family, I would happily go without them. I'd love to spend even more time there, just trying to make sure I saw every little thing.
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Would you enjoy it more if your boys were older and you went as a family?
We liked Universal more than we expected to. And I thought WWoHP was wonderful -- it really felt like we were walking on the movie set. The hidden surprises like the store windows were wonderful, and the people working in Hogsmeade loved their jobs. Even DH and DSIL's motion sickness problems from FJ didn't ruin the day -- slowed us down considerably, but...
That said, I don't know that I would have been able to enjoy it as much if I'd left my family behind and gone by myself.
My hubby is pushing me to go and relax and enjoy. I would have never even thought of going on my own but he is almost insisting because he knows my love of the books and wants me to see it all sooner rather than later. It will be very weird for me to go alone. I guess this is why I want to be sure it would be worth it. I am sure we will all return as a family in a few year as well.
I will have to be the single vote against. I did not like the Wizarding World, and the experience was ruined. Here is a quote from another thread from me.
We went on January 7th and it was horrible! The wait for Forbidden Journey was easily 3 hours, the shops all an hour, and the other rides at least an hour and a half. You couldn't walk without walking into a line! It was so crowded that we had to leave within five hours (3 of which were spent waiting in line for the ride!) There was no where to stand no where to pause and look at sights, all of it was packed with people. I hated it, it was worse than Disney has ever been, there was no ropes or chains to keep the lines in order, everyone was cutting no one knew where the lines were going but everyone wanted to be at the front. None of the workers were helpful or wanted to keep the crowds in control, and it became the worse part of our vacation. Think long and hard about the order you want to do things because if you don't do it exactly right everyone else will be in front of you.
I would not go, there is nothing there that was worth it for me. I disliked the way it was set up, the lines, and the crowd control. The rides were not that good, and we could not even do two things (Ollivanders and Hippogriph) because of the lines. I would stay with your family at Disney.
I am sorry you had such a bad time! I am hoping with doing a midweek visit in late October and first thing in the morning might help with the crazy lines.
I think if you are a huge HP fan you should go. We went and just walking through Hogwarts is amazing and worth the trip. I would go - Universal is a lot of fun. It's not Disney, but it's fun. And as a Mum, how often do you get a day to yourself? Sometimes at Disney DH knows I am getting stressed and sends me off to explore on my own for a while. It make a big difference in my mood! Being alone will also let you spend as much time as you want taking in all the sights in the HP area.
Go, definitely! I to am a huge HP fan and am looking forward to our first visit later this year. I have grown-up children who won't be with us, so it should make it a little easier to go, plus my other half is also an HP fan, so he is looking forward to seeing all that is there.
As for the 'alone' bit - I went to Disney World a couple of years ago as a volunteer with a charity from the UK, and on my one day off from working, I went to both the Magic Kingdom and Epcot on my own. I did both parks commando style, going where and when I wanted to without having to think about anyone else, and it was an AMAZING experience. Yes, it is great fun going with other members of your family, yes it is lovely being able to share the experiences with them, but just ONCE it is hugely satisfying to do something on your own.
Go, go, go!!
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Jen - go, go, go!!! If you are half as big a fan as me, then go! Midweek, first thing in the morning, I don't think you'll have many issues with crowds. Another PP (elbodans, aka Tracy) wrote about her visit there in May. She went on a Thursday (afternoon?), Friday morning, and popped in again on Saturday. She reported that the crowds were very, very low on Thursday and first thing on Friday morning. Then they increased for the weekend. I would guess that October might be similar. So, again, midweek and first thing in the AM, you should be good to go. I understand that Ollivander's is something neat to see, but it gets real crowded, real quick. So consider that to be stop #1, or stop #2 (after the Forbidden Journey). Potterheads (such as myself) will want to see it though, so I'd plan on it.
Not to mention - how cool will it be to walk the halls of Hogwarts? And the greenhouse? And see all the shops? And get a chocolate frog? I'm so giddy about it I try not to think I have to wait until MAY until I go there!! You may have a wee little twinge of guilt when leaving the kids, but it will disappear once you're in Hogsmeade. Kent will enjoy some special time with the boys too. It will totally be worth it!!!
Go, Jen, go!!!
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I'm adding another "yes" vote. We did a rare non-Disney trip in Aug, and I absolutely loved Hogsmeade! It looked just like I pictured it from the books and movies (minus all the Muggles, of course!) We had a late lunch at 3 Broomsticks that was pretty good, and Butterbeer is YUMMY! I recommend the frozen version.
Forbidden Journey is an amazing ride, definitely worth the hour+ wait. But that was August, so your wait probably won't be as long. Yes, you should go... guilt-free!
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I understand that Ollivander's is something neat to see, but it gets real crowded, real quick. So consider that to be stop #1, or stop #2 (after the Forbidden Journey). Potterheads (such as myself) will want to see it though, so I'd plan on it.
I'm so giddy about it I try not to think I have to wait until MAY until I go there!! You may have a wee little twinge of guilt when leaving the kids, but it will disappear once you're in Hogsmeade. 
Kent will enjoy some special time with the boys too. It will totally be worth it!!!
I recommend the frozen version.
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