Four years after Universal Orlando opened Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure, they opened an expansion to the area in their other theme park, Universal Studios Florida. Universal Orlando offers two different Harry Potter lands, one in each of the theme parks. While they could be considered two separate experiences if one doesn’t visit both of them, but they really complete one big experience for a guest – complete with The Hogwarts Express and all.
With fall upon us, that means Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida is in full swing on select nights and shorter theme park hours. However, the shorter hours don’t have to end at 5 o’clock for those who aren’t sticking around for the scary stuff.
While Universal Studios started the tradition of opening at 8am in 2013 on Halloween Horror Nights event nights, they have expanded their hours a little bit longer at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, offering an extra hour of magic while the park clears out and the rest of the park gets ready for Halloween Horror Nights to begin.
It’s really simple to participate in. Anyone who wants to stay in the area past 5pm will need a two-park ticket (or a park hopper if you’d like to call it). Before Universal Studios closes at 5pm, Universal employees will stand at the entrance points to London. They will just need to see your two-park ticket and once you’ve shown your ticket, they will give you a wristband to wear. When Universal Studios closes at 5pm, guests without wristbands will be asked to leave the park, but guests with wristbands will be allowed to stay in Diagon Alley for an extra hour – until 6pm.
When Diagon Alley closes at 6pm, guests will exit Diagon Alley via The Hogwarts Express to go to Islands of Adventure where they may visit Hogsmeade and the other attractions at the park. Note that if you’re going to Halloween Horror Nights, you will still be able to wait in Diagon Alley, however, you will still be required to ride The Hogwarts Express to Islands of Adventure. If you’re going to Halloween Horror Nights, your best plan would be to visit one of the designated holding areas for Halloween Horror Nights (Kids Zone, New York, or near Lucy).
For more information about Universal Orlando Resort, visit the official website by clicking here.
