Would You Wait 10 Hours for the Latest Harry Potter Ride, Hagrid's Coaster?
Quick summary
We all know Harry Potter is popular. If you don't, it's a mighty hefty rock you're living under. We also know that theme park lines can be long. Really long. We've recorded waits as long as five hours at Disney World (and can't quite figure out why people wait that long). But, what about a line twice that long?
That's what happened this morning for the debut of Universal Orlando's newest ride. Don't get me wrong, we're excited for Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. But, even we didn't anticipate this:
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If you arrived early enough in the morning, the line was a more manageable six hours. Gulp! That's still a LONG wait!
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Maybe you're thinking the numbers are exaggerated. However, we heard from folks who saw stanchions being setup for Hagrid's line in Seuss Landing, which is a long way from Hogsmeade. And, TPG Family has one of our folks, Rona Gindin, in line to bring you the latest information on what Day 1 is like. Early reports from Rona are that it'll be about an eight-hour wait before she gets to ride Hagrid's Motorbike for the first time. Thankfully, Universal is handing out water and allowing bathroom breaks to those in line.
Mother Nature Throws in a Weather Delay
Almost 10 hours into the day, the weather has started to wreak havoc with those most committed. After standing in line most of the day, folks are having to wait while the ride closes intermittently for bad weather.
Fortunately for those waiting in line, the thunderstorms seem to be moving out of the area in the late afternoon. So, folks should still get a chance to ride, unless Orlando's penchant for summer thunderstorms decides to have a late night.
Fans Having Fun Despite the Wait
TPG will have a full review of Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure for you shortly, as soon as Rona has had a chance to actually make her way through the entire line. From the looks of Instagram, some of the most dedicated Potter Heads have chosen to sit out Day 1 while others seem to be enjoying the heck out of the new ride. We're there at the beginning and will have a firsthand look for you shortly!
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Bottom Line
If today is any indication, lines for Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure may push expectations for the coming weeks and maybe even months. Follow our coverage to learn more about the ride and making the best use of your time at Universal Orlando.
Read on for more Universal Studios tips and reviews:
- Why Now is the Best Time to Buy Theme Park Tickets
- How to Get the Most Out of One Day at Universal Studios
- Is Universal Studios Orlando Getting a New Theme Park?
- 5 Ways Universal Studios is Better Than Disney
- Inside a $3,000 Universal Studios VIP Tour