Wow! This was overwhelmingly the number one question from our readers about all of Universal Orlando!
“Are the lines still long at Wizarding World?”
“Have the lines died down any at Harry Potter park?”
..and on and on.
The short answer: Yes and no. 🙂
Yes, the line’s are still very long at the Harry Potter park. However, they die down significantly in the afternoon and evening, especially the line for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride is still a very long wait, especially first thing in the morning up to about 1 in the afternoon. However, most of the wait is to lock up your bag in a locker near Filch’s Emporium! If you don’t have a bag or lock yours up in the lockers at the front of the “island,” you can skip that whole mess. I didn’t have a bag last time and walked into Filch’s, through the store to the lockers for the Forbidden Journey and right into the line for the ride. To make things even faster, I went into the single rider line. The 90 minute estimated wait was under 10 minutes! Even though it’s called the “single rider” line, your whole family can use this line as long as you’re willing to split up and ride one person at a time. If you don’t “have to” be together, it’s a great way to pick up some time.
Harry Potter Park Stores
The Harry Potter stores were among the worst places to be in the Wizarding World theme park during the summer. Uber-crowded, cramped, lines to get in, no way to see or purchase the merchandise. They were in desperate need of something! And, something was exactly what Universal did.
Filch’s Emporium now has two entrance/exit doors and more cashiers to make it feel less crowded. Dervish & Banges has removed some of the display furniture and it’s made a huge difference. The store is much easier to maneuver, now. Something to keep in mind when spending a lot of time shopping, you can buy almost everything you’ll find at the Harry Potter park in the WBShop, online. No crowds, no waiting, shipped to your home. Also, the stores in Wizarding World theme park all have a lot of the same stuff — t-shirts, lanyards, souvenirs, etc. So, if one store is busy, try another one that’s less busy.
Ollivander’s Wand Shop
This attraction still has a super long wait during prime time hours in the morning. However, I was shocked how many people still think you have to go through the wand presentation just to buy a wand! Absolutely false! You can get a wand in Owl Post just by walking in. Also, Universal has added a kiosk outside Filch’s Emporium, so you can get a wand there with no wait at all.
Book your Harry Potter and Universal Orlando package or theme park tickets today!
Want to get all our tips and tricks for visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? We wrote a travel guide for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hogsmeade! We included all our tips and tricks that we’ve learned over the last year to make your visit to the Wizarding World as magical as possible. Be sure to check it out!
Get your Harry Potter theme park souvenirs from the official Harry Potter shop, the WB Shop!