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Today excited “Harry Potter” fans at Universal Orlando finally had the chance to ride the Hogwarts Express a full week before the official grand opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.
With a well timed tweet, Universal Orlando gave a nod to the most die-hard fans who have religiously been on #PotterWatch in the park, some having spent more than three weeks waiting in the hot sun with hopes of getting inside.
Hey #Potterwatch, are you here today? We keep hearing a train whistle. It’s probably nothing 😉 pic.twitter.com/kdaOhEsbHJ
— Universal Orlando (@UniversalORL) July 1, 2014
Their wishes came true as Universal moved aside barricades and let fans pour into King’s Cross Station a little before 3pm today, giving a first look at the Hogwarts Express to day guests, taking them to Islands of Adventure / Hogsmeade Village and back.
As both stations soft opened, fans began to geek out:
I'm about to ride The Hogwarts Express! OMG! I'M ABOUT TO RIDE THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS!!!!! #gotmyHPgeekon
— Eileen Griffin (@eileengriffin77) July 1, 2014
IM IN A SOFT FOR HOGWARTS EXPRESS I DONT THINK YOU UNDERSTAND HOW I FEEL. IM ACTUALLY SHAKING OMG
— Steph-opolous (@Stephlight_Run) July 1, 2014
#potterwatch we are in! pic.twitter.com/3E5GhOvPCJ
— Justin Hamana (@justinhamana) July 1, 2014
ITS ALL HAPPENING!! #potterwatch http://t.co/7CtCUqOJvq pic.twitter.com/JKrJcpyuO1
— Elisa Tapia (@ElisaT) July 1, 2014
Now in hogsmead #potterwatch pic.twitter.com/46trU6Dp4V
— Justin Hamana (@justinhamana) July 1, 2014
#Potterwatch @jennakenna87 @Ackermad @MichaelJSchwalm pic.twitter.com/qZi01Z7Gsy
— Justin Hamana (@justinhamana) July 1, 2014
SO FREAKING HAPPY pic.twitter.com/hwv8Cwh2lQ
— MegS (@megadis13) July 1, 2014
To access the Hogwarts Express, park-to-park tickets are required. Guests have already been lining up outside the new ticket windows at each train station to have a chance to ride:
People lined up to purchase a park hopper ticket with the soft opening now under way #diagonalley #potterwatch pic.twitter.com/fPsSnbAoFd
— Florida Thrill Parks (@FLThrillParks) July 1, 2014
Amidst all the excitement, Universal Orlando emphasizes the experience is in technical rehearsals and may not be fully functioning and could close at any time.
On the official Universal Orlando blog, the park confirmed that the Hogwarts Express will continue to be open “in limited hours” between now and July 8 when it officially opens.
Diagon Alley and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts have not yet soft opened, though guests who booked special vacation packages are being given an opportunity to explore these areas tonight, tomorrow night, and midday Thursday.
It’s possible these areas could soft open any time during those days or even over the busy holiday weekend – which would be appropriate, considering Diagon Alley replaced the Jaws ride and Amity village where it was permanently the 4th of July.
For those who can’t make it in person for today’s soft opening or next week’s grand opening, we have a full look at the Hogwarts Express experience, including video in both directions:
Video: Hogwarts Express train full ride POV – Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade at Universal Orlando
Video: Hogwarts Express train full ride POV – Hogsmeade to Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando