Harry Potter: Here’s to shorter lines after Labor Day at Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Harry Potter: Here’s to shorter lines after Labor Day at Universal’s Islands of Adventure: "

For months, I’ve suggested to locals that if they wanted to avoid giant crowds at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, they should until after Labor Day. It’s true of all our theme parks, of course. School is back in session across most of the country and that generally means less congestion in the attractions.

I ran out to OIA this afternoon and proved myself right. Sorta. It’s certainly less crowded, but there are still a few lines to contend with. Upon entering the park, the board of wait times up front said it was 60 minutes for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, 20 minutes for Flight of the Hippogriff, 10 minutes for Dragon Challenge. By the time I hoofed it back to WizWoHaPo, they had subtracted 10 minutes from both FJ and Hippogriff.

More surprising: at 1:30 p.m., there were nine people waiting in line at the butterbeer cart. It was still being served at Hog’s Head and the satellite outlet near Hogwarts.

There was a longer line outside Ollivanders wand shop but not nearly the summertime throng. If you’ve been there, you know the line snakes from outside the front door (beneath that sign), between buildings for a loop or two, then up the hill. The man in white shirt and jeans in this picture was the end of the line this afternoon. … I’d estimate it was a 30 minute wait. (Sidenote: Remember that fire hydrant in the construction phase of Wizarding World? It was in the temporary queue for the entrance of Dueling Dragons. Seems like ages ago.)

A quicker, though less magical, is the wand cart between Hogwarts and the Hippogriff coaster. At this point, there was no waiting. There also were wands available again at the Trading Company store at the front of the park.

Dervish & Banges had a small out-the-door line, and Filch’s was crowded even though the Forbidden Journey ride was on a hold. No line at Zonko’s. And the line did not go out the door for lunch today at Three Broomsticks, although when I stuck my head in, most tables were full. (Sidenote: The posted occupancy for Three Broomsticks was once a fanciful 123 — it’s now posted as 463. Makes sense.)

So, the lines are shorter, the weather will get more agreeable (C’mon, October!) … It could be time for the locals to descend.

"