Questions About WWoHP?

mouselover321

mouselover321

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
At the end of August, we will be taking our first, little trip to Universal. I was wondering about Hogwarts. I've heard that there is a ride inside of it, but is it also designed like it is in the movie? Like can you tour it and go into classrooms, the dining room, etc.?

Also, what else is there to do in the Wizarding World of HP? Thanks!
 
englanddg

englanddg

One Little Spark...
mouselover321 said:
At the end of August, we will be taking our first, little trip to Universal. I was wondering about Hogwarts. I've heard that there is a ride inside of it, but is it also designed like it is in the movie? Like can you tour it and go into classrooms, the dining room, etc.?

Also, what else is there to do in the Wizarding World of HP? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Sortof.

The queue is very long, very detailed, and takes you through a lot of the familiar areas from the film (grand staircase, etc)...however, it is not a "walk through" tour of the Castle per se, however, it is enough to make you slow down and look (and you should). Going in late August, the lines should be reasonable, but I'd recommend letting people pass you in line just so you can soak in all the detail, if you are a HP fan.

There is a ride inside it, and it's a very, very good ride.

As far as other things to do:
There is a coaster called the Dragon Challenge (used to be Dueling Dragons). Didn't get to ride it this past trip (kid was too short), but I did ride it's previous incarnation back in 04. As I recall, it's a fun ride.

Another coaster, Flight of the Hippogriff, is more a kids/family coaster. Again, we didn't ride it last trip (I don't recall why), but I also rode it in 04 when it was still called the Flying Unicorn, and it was fun.

There is a ton of themed shopping to do...including Olivanders, where you can have a "wand choose you"...this is not a walk in and walk out of shop...rather there is a wait and you will be admitted in small groups where a show is put on. One person from the audience will be "selected" by a wand during the show. It's fun, good effects (LONG line)...

Other shops...Honeydukes, with themed merchandise, Dervish and Banges, Zonko's Joke Shop (this was by far my favorite) and Filche's Emporium of Confiscated Goods (meh, a general HP gift shop)...

The eatery there is the Three Broomsticks. It is not on the Dining Plan, but the food looked pretty good (I didn't eat there, but we did walk in and around it)...

There is a replica of the Hogwarts Express, and you can find the conductor of the Hogwarts Express doing meet and greets here.

The Owl Post consists of a real post office box where you can mail a post card and it will be postmarked as coming from Hogsmeade.

Butterbeer is available from a cart in the middle of the street...and comes in two forms. Regular, and frozen.

Give both a shot (but, I prefer regular)...
 
lazyboy97o

lazyboy97o

Well-Known Member
There is a "Castle Tour" that you can ask to take, but it is basically a way to see the interior queue without having to take a place in line for the ride itself. It's a better alternative to asking people to pass you in line as it is intended specifically for people who just want to look for awhile,

Butterbeer is also available inside at the Three Broomsticks and Hog's Head Pub. I've often been able to walk right up to the register at the Three Broomsticks while both Butterbeer carts outside had lengthy lines.
 
englanddg

englanddg

One Little Spark...
lazyboy97o said:
There is a "Castle Tour" that you can ask to take, but it is basically a way to see the interior queue without having to take a place in line for the ride itself. It's a better alternative to asking people to pass you in line as it is intended specifically for people who just want to look for awhile,

Butterbeer is also available inside at the Three Broomsticks and Hog's Head Pub. I've often been able to walk right up to the register at the Three Broomsticks while both Butterbeer carts outside had lengthy lines.
Click to expand...
Ah, I was unaware of this (the tour)...I wish I had known, as we happened to hit the ride when lines were rather low and I felt rushed through the amazing queue both times...

I will keep an eye out for that next trip!
 
mouselover321

mouselover321

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
englanddg said:
Sortof.

The queue is very long, very detailed, and takes you through a lot of the familiar areas from the film (grand staircase, etc)...however, it is not a "walk through" tour of the Castle per se, however, it is enough to make you slow down and look (and you should). Going in late August, the lines should be reasonable, but I'd recommend letting people pass you in line just so you can soak in all the detail, if you are a HP fan.

There is a ride inside it, and it's a very, very good ride.

As far as other things to do:
There is a coaster called the Dragon Challenge (used to be Dueling Dragons). Didn't get to ride it this past trip (kid was too short), but I did ride it's previous incarnation back in 04. As I recall, it's a fun ride.

Another coaster, Flight of the Hippogriff, is more a kids/family coaster. Again, we didn't ride it last trip (I don't recall why), but I also rode it in 04 when it was still called the Flying Unicorn, and it was fun.

There is a ton of themed shopping to do...including Olivanders, where you can have a "wand choose you"...this is not a walk in and walk out of shop...rather there is a wait and you will be admitted in small groups where a show is put on. One person from the audience will be "selected" by a wand during the show. It's fun, good effects (LONG line)...

Other shops...Honeydukes, with themed merchandise, Dervish and Banges, Zonko's Joke Shop (this was by far my favorite) and Filche's Emporium of Confiscated Goods (meh, a general HP gift shop)...

The eatery there is the Three Broomsticks. It is not on the Dining Plan, but the food looked pretty good (I didn't eat there, but we did walk in and around it)...

There is a replica of the Hogwarts Express, and you can find the conductor of the Hogwarts Express doing meet and greets here.

The Owl Post consists of a real post office box where you can mail a post card and it will be postmarked as coming from Hogsmeade.

Butterbeer is available from a cart in the middle of the street...and comes in two forms. Regular, and frozen.

Give both a shot (but, I prefer regular)...
Click to expand...
I am a HP fan! This is a lot of good information, and it really helped. I'm excited about the castle, but wish it had been more of a walkthrough. I'm sure I will love the ride though, seeing as I love roller coasters. I will try all the rides, and go in all the shops (except maybe Olivanders, I will see how the line is). We may go eat at Three Broomsticks, because we aren't doing the dining plan. & Lastly, I will defiantly the butterbeer! Thank you so much!
 
mouselover321

mouselover321

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
lazyboy97o said:
There is a "Castle Tour" that you can ask to take, but it is basically a way to see the interior queue without having to take a place in line for the ride itself. It's a better alternative to asking people to pass you in line as it is intended specifically for people who just want to look for awhile,

Butterbeer is also available inside at the Three Broomsticks and Hog's Head Pub. I've often been able to walk right up to the register at the Three Broomsticks while both Butterbeer carts outside had lengthy lines.
Click to expand...
That's great, I will for sure be taking the Castle Tour. Thank you!
 
DicksonGR

DicksonGR

Well-Known Member
Been a few years since I've been there and weirdly I don't remember the queue very well! I'll need to keep my eyes peeled in September and take more of it in. I think I was just so excited to get on the ride.

Butterbeer is brilliant though. I had the regular version and it disappeared verrry quickly! If you're a HP fan you'll have a blast.
 
ishmael0316

ishmael0316

Active Member
The "self guided" castle tours are still going, however management is really cracking down on us team members in the castle doing guided tours.
 
mouselover321

mouselover321

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
DicksonGR said:
Been a few years since I've been there and weirdly I don't remember the queue very well! I'll need to keep my eyes peeled in September and take more of it in. I think I was just so excited to get on the ride.

Butterbeer is brilliant though. I had the regular version and it disappeared verrry quickly! If you're a HP fan you'll have a blast.
Click to expand...
Thanks, and yes, I'm very excited! Have fun in September :)
 
ishmael0316

ishmael0316

Active Member
Yes, you can go on your own tour, which is just walking about looking at everything. The other option is a guided tour, where a team member will explain everything you see on the tour, including which pieces came from the movies. As a Filch's team member, I love giving castle tours. If the guests are really nice, into the tour, and the wait times are not too long, I put them directly on the ride after the tour. However, we are being discouraged from giving the tours during the summer months and encouraging guests to go on their own as some people are abusing the ride privilege. Just ask a ride attendant at the castle or a Filch's employee in the gift shop at the exit.
 
JillC LI

JillC LI

Well-Known Member
mouselover321 said:
I am a HP fan! This is a lot of good information, and it really helped. I'm excited about the castle, but wish it had been more of a walkthrough. I'm sure I will love the ride though, seeing as I love roller coasters. I will try all the rides, and go in all the shops (except maybe Olivanders, I will see how the line is). We may go eat at Three Broomsticks, because we aren't doing the dining plan. & Lastly, I will defiantly the butterbeer! Thank you so much!
Click to expand...

You already got a great description of what is in the WWOHP. Having experienced it for the first time this past December, and being a HP fan myself, I found it totally immersive and true to the stories. DD and I really loved it. We went to Ollivanders Wand Shop first thing at park opening, and we were part of the first group to enter the shop. DD was selected to have a wand choose her, and it was really cool being part of the show. (Of course we had to buy her the wand afterwards. LOL) I will mention that the Dragon Challenge coaster does not open as early as the other parts of WWOHP so you might have to come back for that. For what it's worth, we loved the frozen version of the butterbeer.
 
mouselover321

mouselover321

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
ishmael0316 said:
Yes, you can go on your own tour, which is just walking about looking at everything. The other option is a guided tour, where a team member will explain everything you see on the tour, including which pieces came from the movies. As a Filch's team member, I love giving castle tours. If the guests are really nice, into the tour, and the wait times are not too long, I put them directly on the ride after the tour. However, we are being discouraged from giving the tours during the summer months and encouraging guests to go on their own as some people are abusing the ride privilege. Just ask a ride attendant at the castle or a Filch's employee in the gift shop at the exit.
Click to expand...
Good to know, thank you :)
JillC LI said:
You already got a great description of what is in the WWOHP. Having experienced it for the first time this past December, and being a HP fan myself, I found it totally immersive and true to the stories. DD and I really loved it. We went to Ollivanders Wand Shop first thing at park opening, and we were part of the first group to enter the shop. DD was selected to have a wand choose her, and it was really cool being part of the show. (Of course we had to buy her the wand afterwards. LOL) I will mention that the Dragon Challenge coaster does not open as early as the other parts of WWOHP so you might have to come back for that. For what it's worth, we loved the frozen version of the butterbeer.
Click to expand...
Oh, that sounds like fun! We will try to get to Olivanders early then. Thank you:)
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom