Early Park Admission - only US?

[lborne]

We will be staying at Portofino Bay in January and know that we get to enter the parks an hour early. Seems everyone uses this to get on the 3 main HP rides without long wait times. However, someone told me that recently they are only opening Universal Studios early, not IOA and that Hogwarts Express is not running during the early hour (since IOA is not open early). This means that 2 of the 3 major rides are not open early. If true, I suspect Gringotts will be extremely busy.

We are scheduled to be there January 31 - February 1, but not as part of the Celebration of Harry Potter Event. Hoping they will open both HP sections early that weekend.

Can anyone confirm or deny this?

 

[damo]

During peak times, both parks open early. I have no idea what will be going on during the HP event.

 

[RMulieri]

In non peak times it is only at the studios and only Gringotts, Ollivanders and the shops and Despicable Me open.The Hogwarts express doesn't start running till IOA is open, though you can line up before that. If it is peak/busy times they will open both IOA and US .No idea if they will open it for the HP celebration.

 

[MinnieGi]

We were at US/IOA the weekend before T-day and only US had early entry. This meant huge lines right away for Gringotts. It was one big line that went back to Diagon Alley. We honestly found it better to avoid early entry and go to IOA first and do FJ first at 9:00 am and do all the rides and Hogsmeade stuff and then take the Hogwarts Express over to Diagon Alley and a few days we took it right back and toured IOA. We saved Diagon Alley for later in the afternoon/evening and we saved Gringotts for the LAST ride. 10 minute waits if you go on in the last half hour till park closing at 7:00!!

 

[SnipsNSnails]

Will they have EE for both parks the week of Christmas? I would assume that's peak time but Touring Plans is only offering the EE option on the plan for US during our days 12/22 & 12/23. I can't find any info on the site that list EE parks like Disney does.

 

[RMulieri]

Will they have EE for both parks the week of Christmas? I would assume that's peak time but Touring Plans is only offering the EE option on the plan for US during our days 12/22 & 12/23. I can't find any info on the site that list EE parks like Disney does.

likely.but probably wont know till the week before/week of..They did it for Thanksgiving, but it wasn't announced till week before