Universal Orlando announced this morning that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley is opening July 8.
The news comes after months of rumors and speculation that primarily pointed to a late June opening.
At an event Wednesday morning, Universal says they chose to create Diagon Alley because it was another “iconic” place in the Harry Potter stories. Guests said they wanted Diagon Alley most, according to surveys they conducted. “After all, it was the first place Harry Potter went to in the Wizarding World,” Universal’s Thierry Coup told the media.
The Harry Potter film series’ Stuart Craig and Alan Gilmore, two of the head production designers, were a part of the team who designed Diagon Alley, Coup told us.
Film stars Matt Lewis, the Phelps twins, and Evanna Lynch were on hand this morning to make the July 8 announcement. Lynch spoke about how she’s been a Harry Potter fan since she was 8 years old, and loves coming back to the parks to see the new surprises.
The following promotional video was released to mark the release date news:
Related: Universal announces Interactive Wands
Even though the park won’t make its grand opening until early July, vacation packages are letting guests visit Diagon Alley as early as June 29.
Universal is hosting a media preview this week. Hypable will be visiting Diagon Alley tonight and tomorrow. Follow us on Instagram to stay on top of our previews!