Skip huge Harry Potter lines to enjoy Escape from Gringotts, Diagon Alley in after-hours LeakyCon private party at Universal Orlando

in Entertainment, Events, Theme Parks, Universal Orlando

Since its grand opening on Tuesday, Diagon Alley has drawn thousands of “Harry Potter” fans to experience the new area, most of which have flocked to the Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts ride – only to find 6+ hour waits to experience the attraction.

But there is an easy way to avoid all this commotion and enjoy Diagon Alley without the massive crowds. The upcoming LeakyCon event will be held in Orlando July 30 – August 3, 2014, a fan convention that has grown beyond its “Harry Potter” past to feature programming based on pop culture phenomenons such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Glee, Disney, Star Trek, My Little Pony, Twilight, and much more.

For Potter fans attending LeakyCon, there is also a special after-hours private party called Open at the Close which will grant access to both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade Village along with all of its attractions, including unlimited trips aboard the Hogwarts Express and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts ride. The separately-ticketed event also includes a menu of food from the Leaky Cauldron, Three Broomsticks, Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor, and unlimited Butterbeer, Pumpkin Juice, Fishy Green Ale, Gillywater, and other non-alcoholic drinks.

The Open at the Close party will beginning at 8:00pm on July 30, with private access starting at 10:00pm continuing for four hours of fun until 2:00am. The cost to attend is $150, available only to LeakyCon attendees. (LeakyCon tickets range from $60 for a day pass to $275 for full event access.)

Tickets for the after-hours event will become available on the LeakyCon web site tomorrow, July 12, beginning at 2:00pm ET. Registration for the LeakyCon convention is already available.

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