Diagon Alley officially opens today

Universal Orlando’s newest and arguably most eagerly awaited attraction officially opens to the public today.

Universal officials are expecting much larger than average crowds for the Diagon Alley grand opening and will open the parking garage at 5:00am – a full four hours before the park gates open.

Four years ago Universal launched The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade to record attendances and expectations are high for more of the same.

The company has spared no expense with a blanket media campaign with Diagon Alley even becoming a location for a broadcast of ‘The Today Show.’

Officials said a grand opening ceremony for the latest expansion of its Wizarding World of Harry Potter will take place from 8:00am.  

All other park attractions will open at 9:00am.  

The attraction’s showpiece – The Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts 3D ride – will finally become operational after remaining grounded during the recent soft opening.

The company calls it an entirely different kind of ride, "with a level of entertainment and storytelling unlike anything people have ever been through before," according to Universal spokesman Tom Schroder.