Notices
Theme Parks Florida Rides, Attractions, Genie+ Questions and Info.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 9 Aug 19, 03:37 AM  
Link to this Post
#1
bwfc4ife
VIP Dibber
 
bwfc4ife's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 12
Mobile Hagrid’s Muggle Mug-off

Been to IOA today and attempted to ride Hagrids. Unfortunately it was broken for the first 3 hours we were there, but when it finally reopened, there was a minimal wait time of only 120 minutes. So naturally we couldn’t believe our luck and jumped head-first into the queue. Exactly 120 minutes into the queue, a ‘brief delay’ followed by ‘inclement weather’ in the area, followed by another ‘brief delay’ meant that we found ourselves still in the queue over 4 hours after joining. With the ride still down and our patience wearing particularly thin, we spoke to a team member who said it was our choice to stay in line and no one was holding us against our will. A few more stern words later led to us being led around the corner by the same staff member, whereby he glanced round to make sure no one else was watching, before handing us two ‘golden tickets’, which we could use to return to the front of Hagrids ride at any time of our choosing. Earlier in the day guest services had categorically insisted that these don’t exist under any circumstances! So please, if the same happens to you and you find yourself at or near the front of the queue faced with long delays due to technical issues, don’t take no for an answer! (Caveat: they won’t issue them for weather delays).
__________________
Florida Summer 2013, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22
Christmas 2022
Summer 2023
bwfc4ife is offline Girl Mouse Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Old 9 Aug 19, 05:31 AM  
Link to this Post
#2
Gipsy 4
slightly serious Dibber
 
Gipsy 4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 13

Gipsy 4's Reviews
Restaurant Reviews: 1

theDIBB Guidebook
Guidebook Reviews: 1
We noticed a lot of people buying the VIP tour which gives front of line access to the ride. We queued at opening and got to the front at 1015am. A VIP tour then went ahead of us. Not sure how much it costs but if you have limited time (and an unlimited budget) that’s an option.
Gipsy 4 is offline Girl Mouse Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Old 9 Aug 19, 08:36 AM  
Link to this Post
#3
Tetrarch
Imagineer
 
Tetrarch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 09

theDIBB Guidebook
Pages Created: 1
Guidebook Photos: 23
I couldn't resist having a look at the website to see how much the VIP tour costs. It varies depending on which day of the week and when, but the current cost for one day/one park is $279 plus tax. The lowest price I could find for any date during the rest of 2019 was $189 rising to $429 pp for a tour on Christmas day. The majority of dates were all in the range $229-$279.

Debra
__________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Debra & Gary
Tetrarch is online now Boy Mouse Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Old 9 Aug 19, 12:43 PM  
Link to this Post
#4
plantyroo
Earning More Ears
 
Join Date: Sep 18
We did the Universal VIP tour recently and if you can afford it - it is definitely worth doing - not just for getting onto Hagrid's but for the knowledge and experience of the tour guides too.

Yes they get you onto the rides (usually through a variety of back stage routes) but you'll also get to learn a lot more about the parks and the ride history, see some of the ride operations and staff areas etc. I'd definitely recommend it.
plantyroo is offline Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Old 9 Aug 19, 12:57 PM  
Link to this Post
#5
Guest
Guest
 
Originally Posted by plantyroo View Post
We did the Universal VIP tour recently and if you can afford it - it is definitely worth doing - not just for getting onto Hagrid's but for the knowledge and experience of the tour guides too.

Yes they get you onto the rides (usually through a variety of back stage routes) but you'll also get to learn a lot more about the parks and the ride history, see some of the ride operations and staff areas etc. I'd definitely recommend it.
Is it an add on? I mean do you need to have a regular park ticket as well? Might do it next year if not.
Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Old 9 Aug 19, 03:30 PM  
Link to this Post
#6
Tetrarch
Imagineer
 
Tetrarch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 09

theDIBB Guidebook
Pages Created: 1
Guidebook Photos: 23
Originally Posted by Claudette View Post
Is it an add on? I mean do you need to have a regular park ticket as well? Might do it next year if not.
Should have mentioned this when I posted the prices earlier - the VIP tour does not include entry to the park(s) so this would be on top of the prices I mentioned previously.

Debra
__________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Debra & Gary
Tetrarch is online now Boy Mouse Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Old 9 Aug 19, 04:46 PM  
Link to this Post
#7
plantyroo
Earning More Ears
 
Join Date: Sep 18
Originally Posted by Claudette View Post
Is it an add on? I mean do you need to have a regular park ticket as well? Might do it next year if not.
It's on top of park admission but does include a buffet breakfast and lunch in a VIP only building. Your VIP passes also work as express passes for the rest of the day across both parks and give you a discount off merchandise. I think we did 23 rides (some multiple times) during our VIP day overall. We also got to skip the queue into Olivanders.

If you factor in meal costs and Express pass costs we found that the VIP tour wasn't too badly priced.

We had a few children in our party too and the tour guide went out of their way to ensure that the tour was customised to give them time to do what they wanted to do to - like using their magic wands to cast spells - including a couple of places that aren't overly obvious unless you know about them...
plantyroo is offline Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Old 9 Aug 19, 01:36 PM  
Link to this Post
#8
myaquarium
Imagineer
 
Join Date: Sep 10
If staying on site. Can you queue for this ride on early entry.
myaquarium is offline Boy Mouse Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Old 9 Aug 19, 01:52 PM  
Link to this Post
#9
Pumba75
Imagineer
 
Pumba75's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 09

Pumba75's Reviews
Hotel Reviews: 6
Restaurant Reviews: 23
DIBB Villa Reviews: 2
Originally Posted by myaquarium View Post
If staying on site. Can you queue for this ride on early entry.
At present early entry is only for Universal Studios, not IOA.
Pumba75 is offline Boy Mouse Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Old 9 Aug 19, 01:53 PM  
Link to this Post
#10
Guest
Guest
 
Originally Posted by myaquarium View Post
If staying on site. Can you queue for this ride on early entry.
I don't think IoA has had early morning entry since the ride opened, the ride itself was opening later than everything else too for a while.
Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 09:28 AM.


Powered by vBulletin - Copyright © 2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
DIBB Savings
AttractionTickets.com

Get £10 off each Disney Ticket with the code ATDIBB10

Get up to £50 off per room at Disney or Universal with the code DIBBHOTELS


theDIBB Blog
Disney announced that a new nighttime show, “Disney Dreams That Soar,” will run nightly at... Read More »
Walt Disney World Resort guests can get ready to have a “glowing’’ good time when... Read More »
Aquatica Orlando announce the grand opening of its newest attraction, Tassie’s Underwater Twist, on 15... Read More »


theDIBB Menu


Exchange Rates
US Dollar Rates
ASDA  $1.2361
CaxtonFX  $1.2302
Covent Garden FX  $1.2488
FAIRFX  $1.2365
John Lewis  $1.2391
M&S  $1.2178
Sainsburys  $1.2376
TESCO  $1.2376
Travelex  $1.2353
Updated: 08:00 28/03/2024
Euro Rates
ASDA  €1.1417
CaxtonFX  €1.1389
Covent Garden FX  €1.1490
FAIRFX  €1.1413
John Lewis  €1.1444
M&S  €1.1263
Sainsburys  €1.1434
TESCO  €1.1428
Travelex  €1.1435
Updated: 08:00 28/03/2024

DIBB Premium Membership
Did you know you can help support theDIBB with Premium Membership?

Check out this link for more information and benefits, such as...

"No adverts on theDIBB Forums"

Upgrade Now



X