Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Diagon Alley in essence has only one-and-a-half rides, plus Ollivanders and the vari-
ous shops, to entertain the expected masses. In other words, it's crazy, folks.
If you're a Universal hotel guest, use your early-entry privileges. Arrive at the
turnstiles at least 65 minutes
before the beginning
of the early-entry hour. You'll be
admitted to the park after about a half-hour and held in place until early entry be-
gins. At that time, the crowd will essentially be walked to Diagon Alley. Do and see
everything in Diagon Alley before you leave. If you want back in, try back about 4
p.m.
Ifyou'readayguest, yourbest bet istobeat the turnstiles 70minutes before offi-
cial opening time andbeamong the first admitted. You'll have thousands ofUniversal
hotel guests in front of you, but the crowd behind you will be even larger. Once you
arrive at Diagon Alley, use the Gringotts singles line.
As at IOA, Universal has multiple operational options for allowing guests into
USF's Wizarding World. On low-attendance days, you may be able to stroll in and out
of Diagon Alley without restriction—expect days like this to be vanishingly rare for
at least the next year. On most days, barricades will limit access to the London wa-
terfront all day, and timed-entry return tickets specifying when you can visit will be
distributed from touchscreen kiosks located between Men in Black and
Fear Factor
Live
. Guests are given a selection of 1-hour return windows, assuming any are still
available. Once your time comes, report to the gates at the end of London near
Fear
Factor Live
. On the busiest days, a return ticket may be required not only to enter Di-
agon Alley but also to ride the Hogwarts Express, and if you leave the London area
you'll need a new ticket to reenter. At any time, you may experience an additional
wait after being admitted to the London plaza before being permitted to pass through
the portal into Diagon Alley.
Circling the lagoon clockwise to the waterfront is the shortest route to the Hog-
warts Express, but it's also the route that about 70% of guests take. Hustling to the
waterfront counterclockwise through the Simpsons area is the most direct path to the
ticket kiosks.
On the upside, the rush to Diagon Alley diminishes crowds and waits at other
attractions. The downside to that upside: Those who can't enter Diagon Alley right
away spread to nearby attractions, particularly
Disaster!
, Men in Black Alien Attack,
and to a lesser extent The Simpsons Ride and Revenge of the Mummy. Diagon Alley
