The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is now officially open to the public.
With guests lining up hours in advance with queues in front of the park and inside Universal Plaza, Universal Studios Hollywood finally let in eager guests after years of construction and weeks of technical rehearsals.
The event – open to Early Entry participants – included members from the Harry Potter cast, including Warwick Davis, Oliver and James Phelps, Tom Felton and Evanna Lynch. Universal Studios Hollywood’s President and Chief Executive Officer Larry Kurzweil was also on hand, welcoming guests into the land before a fireworks and confetti display.
With anticipated crowd projections high (online tickets for April 7 were sold out along with VIP Experience and Front of Line options), Universal team members slowly led guests from CityWalk, to the security checkpoint, to Universal Plaza followed by the archway to the Wizarding World. Initial guests were given blue wristbands with number that would designate their spot in line. Successive crowds – wearing yellow wristbands – would eventually make their way into the land.
Once the initial onrush of crowds were let in, Universal implemented its Timed Ticketing system to stagger crowds only hours after the land initially opened.
Please stay tuned to Inside Universal for more on this and other stories originating from Universal Studios Hollywood. We’ve included photos of the opening celebration below.
