Early Admission Question- only USF?

[Angeliki19]

Hi! Leaving next week for our first trip. It looks like only USF does the early morning admission for resort guests. What is your strategy then for using this to your advantage for rides in IOA (specifically Harry Potter stuff?) Should we still try to enter USF at 8 am and then make our way to Hogwarts Express?

 

[macraven]

Since this is your first trip to the Darkside, assume you will want to do Potter right away...

Many enjoy starting their visit checking out the Potter sections and doing the ride.


The other ride that also is open should be the Minions at the studios.

 

[Editoria]

You might be able to enjoy the Gringotts ride at USO, then queue up to be the first to ride Hogwarts Express over to IOA. Depending on early admission crowds, this should get you to the Hogsmeade section at IOA fairly early. The train does not open until the other park opens, and sometimes they do not fill more than one or two of the three total cars (to build suspense? to control the flow?). This at least gives you a show while heading to IOA, although fleet-footed guests might beat you to Hogwarts Castle from the IOA turnstiles.
It also depends on the day of the week as to how many folk fill the parks. Weekdays seem less crowded.
Then, of course, you can ride the train back to London to enjoy the scenery and new scenes of the return.

 

[bobbie68]

Hi I agree with Editoria about doing Gringotts looking at Diagon Alley then taking the Hogwart's Express over to IOA for Hogsmeade. The HP lands get really crowded late morning through early afternoon and it is so much nicer walking through with less crowds. From there if you are going to stay in IOA take the bridge into Jurassic area and make your way to the front and hit rides on that side of the lagoon. That is where most of them are. If you are not then take the Hogwarts Express back to USF ( it is different both ways) then hit the rides you want to do there. One of your busiest rides in USF will be Minions. If you have express pass then I wouldn't worry about the line. If you don't that would be the only ride I would say to do before you go over to Diagon Alley on Early Entry.

Have fun!