In addition to the Forbidden Journey, the Wizarding World is home to just two other rides. The first, Dragon Challenge is a re-themed version of the old Dueling Dragons coasters. It consists of a pair of super-thrilling coasters with a dragon theme. Each features a slightly different track configuration, but both are extremely fast and not for the faint of heart. Expect to find short lines at Dragon Challenge through late morning, an again through the evening, because everyone is busy waiting in line at the Forbidden Journey! Dragon Challenge also accepts Universal Express passes, so hotel guests can enter anytime without much of a wait.

The third and final ride in the Wizarding World is the Flight of the Hippogriff. Some Universal fans might remember this ride as the Flying Unicorn, though it has been re-themed for Harry Potter. Unlike the Dragon Challenge, this ride is relatively mild and popular with kids. Lines are typically short, though Universal Express is also available.

One final note: while there are only three rides in the Wizarding World, the area is so popular that you’ll also see lines at restaurants and even gift shops. Try to hit these areas as early as possible after you’re done with the rides to avoid waiting in a 30 minute line to go shopping in a gift shop. You can also come back at night, when crowds tend to thin out.

There is one expection to this rule, however. Ollivanders wand shop, where visitors can watch a wand-choosing ceremony and buy wands of their own, oftenhas lines as long as those of popular rides. During busy times, you’ll wait between 45 and 90 minutes to get inside. If you plan to experience Ollivanders, stop by immediately after riding Forbidden Journey.

So you’ve made it inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! While it’s tempting to marvel at sites like Hogsmeade Village and Hogwarts Castle, consider experiencing the rides first to avoid long waits later. The biggest attraction in this 20 acre section of the park is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, which some have compared to the Spiderman ride at Islands of Adventure. If you want to ride this attraction, plan to do it first thing in the morning to avoid wait times of 2 hours or more later in the day. Because of the long queue area and the preshows, it takes about 25 minutes to experiences the forbidden journey even with no lines.

But what if you can’t make it first thing in the morning, and you head for the Forbidden Journey to see long lines and out-of-this-world wait times? Don’t worry, there are ways to experience this ride without devoting your entire day to it. First, know which way to go. When you enter the queue, you can go right or left. The left line is for riders without bags, who don’t need to put their stuff in a locker. If you enter the ride empty handed, taking the left pathway can get you on the ride as much as 30 minutes faster than the right pathway.

Another option is to simply use the singles riders line. This has long been my favorite way to experience theme park attractions, particularly at Universal. Here’s how it works: The ride attendants load the cars with people from the regular line. If a family of 4 gets into a car built for 6, they’ll look for a party of 2 to fill out the car. If there isn’t a party of 2 near the front of the regular line, they’ll grab 2 people from the single rider line to fill out the car. If you’re willing to split up your party, you can usually ride any major attraction with only a 10 to 15 minute wait, even on peak days. For example, I spent about an hour riding the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman and then Revenge of the Mummy using the single rider line in the peak of the busy summer season. Sometimes my friends and I ended up together by chance, other times we rode separately, then raved about the ride when it was done. Because really, who wastes time during the ride talking to people?

This is especially true on Forbidden Journey, because you can’t really see other people in your car as you ride. With such an in-demand attraction, choosing the single rider line can cut your wait time by up to 90 percent on busy days.

If you simply must ride as a group and you can’t get to the ride first thing in the morning, check back after 8:00 pm when crowds drop off dramatically. As a bonus, you’ll get to see Hogsmeade all lit up. If you’re inline for Forbidden Journey when the park closes, don’t worry. Everyone who gets in line before closing will get a chance to ride.

Many sites are reporting that Forbidden Journey has Universal Express lines, though they are not operating yet. This means that onsite hotel guests, who normally get front-of-the-line privaleges, can’t skip the queue on this ride. Eventually, this will change, and the Universal Express line will become a major timesaver for hotel guests.

Tomorrow, we’ll take a look at some of the other Wizarding World attractions and determine the most hassle-free ways to experience them.

Ever since news first broke that Universal would be bringing Harry Potter to life, I’ve looked forward to visiting. I followed all the construction and news of the opening, then the first articles an reviews. While I was dying to head down to Orlando and check it out, I decided to wait for the crowds to die down first. I already can’t stand waiting in normal lines, and the lines at Islands of Adventure to experience Harry Potter have been, by all reports, EPIC.

How epic, you ask? Try waiting 2 to 3 hours just to enter the Harry Potter section of the park! Apparently, this place is so good that people are willing to withstand the hot Florida sun for hours just to get inside. Of course, that doesn’t mean you’ve actually made it into any of the attractions yet. Once you’ve made it inside, expect to wait another couple of hours to ride the headliner “Forbidden Journey” ride. Many of the reviews are even describing waits of 30 minutes or more at beverage carts, or even to enter the gift shops!

With these stories in mind, I’ve managed to holdout until now to plan my trip to Islands of Adventure. I’ve decided to go this May because it’s a slower time of the year, in general, as most kids are still in school. It’s also a good time of year weather-wise, as you can avoid some of the heat and humidity of the peak summer season. As I plan my trip, I’m looking into every strategy I can find to see as much of Harry Potter with as little queueing up as possible. Some of the best suggestions I’ve found have come from The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2012 (Unofficial Guides) .

If you’ve never tried these guidebooks, they are some of the best, most-detailed books out there to help you plan a trip to Disney. Like me, the authors of these books seem pretty intent on seeing as much as possible without standing in line for hours. They even give detailed touring plans that show you how to hit all the big attractions with minimal wait and hassle. I’ve followed them on my trips to Disney in the past and always had great luck.

If you’re looking to get into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter without waiting in line, the very best thing you can do is go during the off-season. Think February through May (but not the week of Easter or any other holiday weekends) or September, when kids are in school.During these slow times of year, you can often enter the park at the regular time and walk right into the Wizarding World with no wait. Of course, you’ll still hit lines for attractions, but at least half the battle has been won.

If you have kids, or simply can’t make it to Universal during the off season, expect to find the entrances to the Harry Potter section of the park blocked off with huge baricades. To get around them, you can either wait in a (looonnnnggg) standby line, or take a free pass from the staff at the entrance. The pass works similar to Disney’s fastpasses, and features a pre-printed time when you can come back and enter this area of the park. On the very busiest days, these passes will be gone by noon, so plan accordingly.

To ensure you actually make it into the Wizarding World and get enough time to experiene everything, the real secret is to arrive early. How early? During the busy summer months, it’s not unusual for Universal to allow guests to enter the park an hour before the posted opening time. If you hit the turnstiles at 10 am on a day when the park opens at 10, you’ll likely find yourself at the back of the long line for Harry Potter. Plan to get to the park an hour before opening, and buy tickets ahead of time online to cut your wait times even more so you can head straight or the Wizarding World.

Still too much waiting around for you? Your only other option is to book a room at one of Universal’s three onsite hotels. Guests at onsite properties get some special perks, including early entry to the parks. By staying at one of these hotels, you’ll enter the park at least an hour earlier than all other guests, which is a big deal at anytime of year, but can save you tons of time during the busy season. Keep in mind, however, that the front-of-the-line priveleges given to onsite hotel guests don’t apply to the biggest Wizarding World attraction, “Forbidden Journey.”

Now that you know how to make it into the hottest section of the park with less waiting around, check back tomorrow for tips on how to experience all the attractions without the wait.

While Universal Orlando Florida is home to hundreds of great attractions, there are a few that shouldn’t be missed. Here are some of the very best Universal Attractions that you should check out on your visit:

10. Jaws – This ride at Universal Studios is a classic favorite. You’ll take a boat tour through the harbor, where you’ll be tailed by a certain Great White Shark from movie fame. Some people may call it cheesy, but that’s part of its appeal.

9. CityWalk – This complex of restaurants, shops, and night spots is the first thing you see when you reach the Universal Orlando complex. There’s nothing like spending an evening at Margaritaville, chowing down on a great meal as you watch the crowds go by. Kids and Teens will love shopping at the many trendy stores here, while adults will appreciate the unique nightlife opportunities.

8. Dueling Dragons Coaster – This pair of roller coasters at Islands of Adventure takes riders on a twisting, looping, white-knuckle ride, with the two coasters racing to the finish line. Riders will experience two near collisions, where the trains pass within inches of each other. Be sure to ride both coasters, as they’re totally different experiences. The elaborately themed queue here is half the fun.

7. E.T. Adventures – Another classic favorite for kids and adults alike. You’ll board your bicycle and travel through the woods with E.T. The theming is impressive, and offers a cool, whimsical look inside this beloved movie. When the ride is over, E.T. will greet each guest by name, through the magic of technology.

6. Mythos – This restaurant tucked away inside Islands of Adventure is simply incredible. During a long, hot visit to the park one year, my friend and I simply stumbled upon this place and couldn’t believe out luck. It’s a full service, high-end restaurant serving incredible, creative food in a relaxed atmosphere. It’s also unlike any theme park restaurant you’ll ever see anywhere else. Don’t miss it.

5. The Simpsons Ride – This simulator ride at Universal Studios features America’s favorite cartoon family. Fans of the show will love finally seeing the Simpsons on a ride, and visiting the large giftshop to check out unique merchandise.

4. Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster – This coaster is aimed at children and their parents, and features gentle curves and twists. It’s one of the best children’s attractions at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

3. The Incredible Hulk Coaster – This is the biggest, baddest, and fastest roller coaster Universal has to offer. It is also one of the most popular Universal attractions. The coaster shoots riders from the launching platform at 60 miles per hour, then takes them on a twisting, looping thrill ride. Ride this coaster early to avoid long lines.

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There is nothing quite as awe-inspiring as an Orlando Christmas. While many people head to the area to see the magic of the Disney holidays, they are often overwhelmed by the tremendous crowds at Disney during this time of the year. To experience all the wonder of the Christmas season without getting lost in the crowds, why not give Universal Studios a try?

Incredible decorations, festive lights, and holiday songs greet you along every turn at Universal Orlando Resort. Universal Studios features street performances with memorable characters including those from the Grinch as well as your classic Universal movie favorites. Kids can dance and sing along with their favorite characters at the KidZone Holiday Show and Barney’s Christmas show, ‘A Day In the Park with Barney’. And don’t miss the Blues Brothers Christmas Show, rocking your favorite holiday tunes every night and bringing the snow down on Delancey Street after every show. Literally…..they make it snow. And yes, you’re still in Florida!

One of the coolest things Universal has done is to bring all the favorite floats from this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade down to Orlando. Every night, they use these floats to create their own version of the parade, with fireworks and music. Santa Claus will be there to light the trees and lead the parade too, so if you’ve always wanted to see the Macy’s parade live, here’s your chance.

Universal’s Islands Of Adventure joins in the holiday fun when The Grinch invades Seuss Landing and transforms it into Grinchmas, with Who-ville decked out in holiday lights and decorations. This is an absolute must see: Imagine yourself in the live action movie version of the Grinch, complete with snow and thousands of twinkling lights.

There’s also a live action version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, starring the Grinch himself, featuring music by Mannheim Steamroller.

If you liked Illuminations at Epcot, don’t miss the  Universal 360 Cinesphere Spectacular, bringing iconic Universal special effects to huge, 3D life on spheres across the lagoon along with breathtaking fireworks and laser light displays.

For New Year’s Eve, Universal CityWalk throws a huge blowout celebration, complete with food, drink, and a party in the streets counting down to the New Year.

The Universal Resort hotels also take part in the holiday festivities with festive special events. Celebrate the season Italian-style at the Portofino Bay Hotel, have a rock ‘n’ roll holiday at the Hard Rock Hotel or experience the tropical festivities at the Royal Pacific Resort.

Don’t miss Christmas with a twist of movie magic as only Universal can bring it to you!