Universal Orlando allows first group of regular day guests inside Wizarding World of Harry Potter soft opening

in Events, Movies, Theme Parks, Universal Orlando

Today Universal Orlando began allowing a limited number of regular day guests into the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter section of the Islands of Adventure theme park. On-site Universal hotel guests were allowed in first, beginning at 8 a.m., as they have been since Friday, May 28. But at around 9 a.m., it was decided to begin to allow a certain number of other guests into the Wizarding World.

For the past few days, the scheduled hours for each morning’s previews have been 8 a.m. – 10 a.m., though once inside, guests are gently urged out of the area by noon. But today was the first time that park guests who are not staying at a Universal Orlando on-site hotel have been allowed in during a window of roughly 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. I was told by a Universal team member that a limited number of guests were being let in and that number is based on how many hotel guests were let in during the early entry period from 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.

There are is guarantee that these “soft openings” will continue in the coming days. Whether more day guests will be allowed into the Wizarding World seems to, at least for now, hinge upon the number of on-site hotel guests that take advantage of the early morning previews. So while it is possible that arriving at Islands of Adventure first thing in the morning could gain you access to Hogsmeade Village, it is also just as possible that guests will continue to patiently wait outside the Wizarding World’s gates.

To see what’s inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter before it grand opens on June 18, don’t miss our in-depth coverage:

  • Tour the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – 7 videos, 150+ photos
  • Walk through Hogwarts Castle and the queue for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – Video & photos
  • Comments Off on Universal Orlando allows first group of regular day guests inside Wizarding World of Harry Potter soft opening