Daniel Radcliffe and friends meeting and greeting at the Grand Opening of Harry Potter’s Wizarding World at Universal Studios. Thousands of people went to Universal Studios this morning to experience the Wizarding World Of Harry Potter.

Harry Potter fans

The books are so popular and the fact the J K Rowling wrote the last book three years ago ( Deathly Hallows) means that the followers of the stories have been tremendously interested in the progress of the building of the Wizarding World  here at Universal Studios, Orlando.

The parking garage was opened at 5.30 a.m. this morning to cater for the expected influx of vehicles.   The gates to Universal opened at the normal time, and had to shut at 11.00 a.m. due to the capacity crowds waiting in line for the visit to Hogsmeade and Hogwarts School. There were some unhappy people who were turned away.   Those who were lucky enough to get in before the gates were closed needed all their patience and stamina.

It was reported that there was a four to six hour wait from Toon Lagoon, and certainly aerial photos of the crowds would bear that out;  the crowds were stretching all the way from City Walk waiting to get on the ride Forbidden Journey.   At one point it was reported that the Forbidden Journey ride had broken down, but that rumour was later denied, and at this time the rides are working.

Executives at Universal were somewhat surprised by the numbers, and some guests were unhappy with the long lines, especially with the heat today.   Many of the other rides and restaurants within Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios benefited from the large numbers of guests, with some longer than normal wait times as well.    Despite the lines and the temperatures, many fans came dressed as their favourite characters, and a general feeling of goodwill prevailed – although one or two guests grumbled at the delays.