Guide on How to Get Early Park Admission to Universal Orlando 2023

Guide on How to Get Early Park Admission to Universal Orlando 2023

Guide on How to Get Early Park Admission to Universal Orlando 2023

This article is your complete guide on how to get Universal early park admission! This is the benefit where guests are granted early Universal admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universals Volcano Bay one hour earlier than other park guests. This perk is typically given exclusively to all guests staying at an on-site Universal hotel and/or ones that are annual passholders – however, The Park Prodigy can still help you gain Universal early park admission even if you’re staying off property!

We hope you find this post helpful! Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time and money on your next Universal Orlando vacation!  If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando be sure to check out the latest deals on Universal Orlando vacation packages and our discounted Universal Orlando tickets which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

To learn more about the 2023 Universal early park admission and how you can beat the crowds on your next trip read on!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for a Universal Early Park Admission calendar be sure to check out our Orlando crowd calendar which we include all of this information! 

Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar

2023 Universal Studios Early Park Admission Overview

So, what is Early Park Admission at Universal Orlando Resort? Early Park Admission at Universal Orlando Resort allows eligible theme park guests the ability to enter one of the three Universal Orlando themes parks up to one hour prior to the official opening time. This exclusive access provides an opportunity to enjoy select attractions which include the most popular Harry Potter rides with few wait times and smaller crowds, enhancing your overall experience. Guests with Early Park Admission credentials can enter specific areas within the park, where checkpoints ensure that only eligible visitors can access the rides and attractions during this special hour. To take advantage of Early Park Admission, guests typically need to stay at one of Universal Orlando’s on-site hotels or hold certain types of park tickets. Planning your visit with Early Park Admission in mind can help you make the most of your time at Universal Orlando Resort, creating unforgettable memories.

How to get early park admission to universal? 

• Buy your discount Universal Orlando tickets from Theparkprodigy.com
• Stay at a Universal Orlando on-site hotel
• Buy a Universal preferred annual pass

The second most popular question we receive regarding Universal Orlando early park admission is, how do you get early entry at Universal Orlando? And as discussed above this benefit is included with all discount Universal Orlando tickets sold at the park prodigy as well as Universal Orlando on-site hotel guests, and preferred annual pass holders.

Is Hagrid’s open for early park admission?

Another very popular question we receive is, is Hagrid’s open for early park admission? And as a general rule of thumb, Hagrid’s is open for early park admission when Universal has Islands of Adventure open during the early morning hours. It is by far the most popular ride for guests to take advantage of during the early park admission at Universal, and we would still suggest arriving to Universal 45 minutes to an hour before the parks open.

Related post: Harry Potter Early Park Admission Tickets

2023 Universal Studios Early Park Admission Schedule

The second most popular question is, when is early park admission offered? The 2023 Universal early park admission schedule is typically released two months before. It is important to note that Universal Early Park Admission might not be for every park daily.  As a general rule of thumb, Universal will typically have one of the two main theme parks which are Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios Florida open along with Volcano Bay. However, there are specific times of the year when Universal Orlando will have all three Universal Orlando parks open for early park admission. And to make it as easy as possible to help you plan your next Universal Orlando vacation, we have included the Universal early park admission calendar hours on our Universal Crowd Calendar! Here, you can also find crowd levels, ticket prices per day, and the average temperature during the time of year your next Universal vacation is planned.

Bonus Tip: We always suggest checking out the Early Park Admission on the Universal Orlando App as Universal tends to update the App before the official website!

What is the current Universal Studios early admission schedule?

Universal Orlando Park	Early Admission Period	Dates	Available Attractions
Universal Studios Florida	1 hour prior to park opening	March 12 – April 8, 2023 – May 8 – May 31, 2023	Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts™, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem™, Ollivanders™
Universal’s Islands of Adventure	1 hour prior to park opening	March 6 – May 31, 2023	Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™, Flight of the Hippogriff™, Jurassic World VelociCoaster, Ollivanders™, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure™
Universal’s Volcano Bay	30 minutes prior to park opening	January 1 – May 31st 2023 –	Ohyah of Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides, Ohno of Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides, Honu of the Honu Ika Moana, ika Moana of the Honu ika Moana, Krakatau Aqua Coaster, Ko’okiri Body Plunge, Waturi Wave Pool

What Time is Early Park Admission at Universal Orlando?

Another popular question we receive is, what time does early park admission start at Universal? Early Park Admission times at Universal Orlando Resort vary based on the season and the specific park. For Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, Early Park Admission typically occurs from 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM during off-peak times and from 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM during peak season. For Volcano Bay, Early Park Admission is generally between 8:30 AM and 9:30 AM, lasting for a 30-minute window. It’s essential to note that these times may be subject to change. To stay up-to-date with the current 2023 Early Park Admission schedule, guests can refer to our Universal Orlando crowd calendar, which provides the most accurate and timely information for your visit.

What time is Universal Studios’ early admission in 2023?

As you can imagine it is easy to figure out what time the one-hour early park admission starts at Universal Orlando. Simply figure out what time the parks open and plan to show up one hour before that time. Just in case, we have broken it out for you below:

• 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM for Universal Orlando and Islands of Adventure
• 8:30 AM for Volcano Bay water park.

Keep in mind that the theme parks will open earlier during peak season, in which case Universal early park admission will typically start at 7:00 AM. It’s important to always check with your Universal Orlando hotel front desk upon check-in as hours can change. Or, download the Universal Studios app and check the park opening time there.

What time should I arrive to use Early Park Admission?

The next most popular question that we receive on this topic is, what time should I arrive for the Universal Early Park Admission? And from our personal experience the best time to arrive to take advantage of early park admission at Universal Orlando is exactly one hour before the EPA actually starts. The reason being is that this will allow you to be some of the first guests online to get into the theme park. This is especially important if you plan to use Islands of Adventure theme park for early park admission. Essentially this will allow you to be some of the firsts guests onto Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. We have personally been able to get onto Hagrid’s and the VelociCoaster within the first hour during some of the busier times of year using this strategy, and even can add a third ride in during some of the slower months at the parks.

Related Page: Universal Early Park Admission Tickets

Which Rides Are Open During Universal Early Admission in 2023?

Islands of Adventure rides open for early admission:

• Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
• The VelociCoaster
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• Flight of Hippogriff
• Olivanders Wand Shop

Universal Studios rides open for early admission:

• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
• Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem
• Revenge of the Mummy (seasonal)

Universal Volcano Bay rides open for early admission:

• Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides
• Ohyah of Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides
• Ohno of Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides
• Honu of the Honu Ika Moana
• ika Moana of the Honu ika Moana
• Krakatau Aqua Coaster
• Ko’okiri Body Plunge
• Waturi Beach

Related Post: Ultimate Guide to Universal For Kids

Universal Orlando Early Admission Tickets

As discussed one of the easiest ways to get 2023 Universal Orlando early park admission is to buy your Universal tickets from us! All of the Universal Orlando tickets we sell through our small business will include this early admission to the parks absolutely free. And we feel like this can be a huge time saver later on in the day especially if you combine the Universal early admission with our free Universal park plans! 

To learn more about how you can purchase Universal Orlando tickets with Early Park Admission be sure to check out our ticket page!

On-Site Hotels with Early Admission to Universal Orlando 2023

Just as we mentioned above, there are plenty of hotels with early access to Universal Studios. All of the Universal Orlando Resort hotels offer early park admission. Guests can also take advantage of Free Universal Express passes (at select hotels), complimentary transportation and priority seating at select restaurants on property.

Which Universal Orlando hotels include early park admission?  

• Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel (Express Pass included)
• Loews Portofino Bay Hotel  (Express Pass included)
• Loews Royal Pacific Resort  (Express Pass included)
• Sapphire Falls Resort
• Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
• Universal’s Aventura Resort
• Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites & Dockside Inn and Suites

It’s also important to note that the early park admission at Universal Orlando is going to be included with every day of your hotel stay. This includes your hotel check in date and your check out date. Also for guests who book a vacation package you’ll also want to make sure to bring your hotel key to the parks as that is your entry for early park admission!

Related post: The Best Rides at Universal : Our Top 7 Thrilling Rides Ranked

Is Universal Early Park Admission Worth It?

So now that we have covered the basics, you might be wondering is Universal early park admission worth it? And the short answer is, yes! We can’t stress enough how much time you can save by taking advantage of Universal early park admission. This is especially true if you are only visiting Universal for one day and trying to see both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios.

The reason being is some of the most exciting rides are in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! As you can imagine this means these rides will typically have the longest wait time. Guests who take advantage of Universal Orlando early admission have the chance to ride 1-2 rides before anyone else is even in the parks. These extra hours in the parks could be a savings of 1-3 hours depending on the crowd levels for that day.

Benefits of Universal Early Park Admission Tickets

Everybody has different plans and priorities when visiting Universal, so how do you know early park admission is worth it for you? If any of the below scenarios apply to you, then it’s absolutely worth it!

• You’re trying to ride the new Velocicoaster, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Escape From Gringotts, Hogwarts The Forbidden Journey, or Flight of the Hippogriff with significantly less wait.
• You want to enjoy The Wizarding World of Harry Potter while it’s less crowded.
• You’re visiting during a day when crowds are heavy (we recommend any crowds 7+ on our Universal Orlando crowd calendar.)
• Any time you’re visiting Volcano Bay (we have been able to get on 4-5 rides before the parks even open!)
• You’re only visiting Universal for one day and you’re trying to get as much done as possible.
• You want to enjoy a nice breakfast at one of the open restaurants before your busy day at the parks.
• You want to take pictures and shop in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley with less people around.

Related Page: Harry Potter Early Park Admission Tickets

How to Use Universal Orlando Early Park Admission at Harry Potter World

To make the most out of your early entry time in Universal, we recommend arriving at LEAST 30-45 minutes before Universal early admission starts. We also have seen that Universal might let guests into the park earlier than the normal start time. So if you only have one day to spend in the parks and need to make sure to get the most out of your visit, get there as early as possible.

Which park to start with during early admission

Recently, we strongly recommend starting your day with Islands of Adventure so you can ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden journey first. Getting this ride out of the way will also give you a slightly better chance of  using the Universal virtual line for Hagrid’s if you’re in the park when time slots drop on the app. As the most sought-after ride in the park, the virtual queue gets so busy that some Universal guests won’t get the chance to ride Hagrid’s. Which is why it’s so important to get into the parks early.

Islands of Adventure is also home to all but one ride from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and will no doubt have high foot traffic when the parks open. Whichever park you choose, just be sure to make a beeline whichever Harry Potter ride you simply can’t wait to ride!

What should I bring to get into early park entry at Universal?

You should always bring your room key and park tickets when visiting the parks for early admission. Some hotels give their guests a wristband, so be sure to wear it if you’re given one. If you purchased your Universal tickets from The Park Prodigy we will give you an E-travel document. This will verify your early park admission access.

When can I start to use my early park admission perks?

You can start to use your early park admission perk from your check-in date to you check out date if staying at an on-site Universal hotel. It’s important to note that you must check in prior to going to the parks.

Related Post: Guide to Universal’s Harry Potter Wands

Universal Orlando Early Admission During The Holidays

Many people don’t realize that the parks can sometimes reach capacity, specifically during the holidays. This means they’re only allowing a certain number of people in the park and on rides. There are also a lot of families who love visiting Universal Orlando during Christmas. 

Because of this, we find that during the Holidays guests will get to the parks as early as possible to ensure they get into the park before it hits capacity- something it does within 1-2 hours after opening almost every day. So, Universal early admission is absolutely worth it if visiting the parks during any of the busy holiday seasons. You won’t have to worry about getting turned away, and can go straight to rides like Escape From Gringotts that will be a 2+ hour wait later in the day.

2023 Universal Orlando Early Park Admission FAQs

Is Ollivanders open during early admission?

Another popular question we receive regarding early park admission at Universal is, is Ollivanders open during early admission? And Ollivanders is open in Diagon Alley located in Universal Studios Florida for early park admission. It is not open in Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure during early admission at that park.

How to Book Your Universal Orlando Vacation

There has never been a time where it’s been so important to book your Universal Orlando vacation with a park expert. With changes happening at a rapid pace, it’s important to book your vacation with a Universal Orlando expert to walk you through the entire process and answer any questions along the way. When you book your Universal Orlando vacation with The Park Prodigy, it includes our services absolutely FREE!

Once we plan the perfect itinerary for you, you’ll pay just $50 per person down to hold your vacation. Final payment is due 45 days prior to arrival and payment plans are available. To get started you can request a no-obligation Universal vacation quote online or by calling one of our travel experts at 407-630-8650.

If you’re not in need of a package but would still like to get into Universal for EARPY PARK ADMISSION be sure to check out our Universal Orlando  Universal Orlando Tickets! All Park Prodigy Universal Orlando tickets will get you into the park one hour before regular park guests!

Ready to Plan Your Next Universal Orlando Vacation? 

Beat the crowds with our discount Universal Orlando tickets! All guests who purchase their tickets from The Park Prodigy will get EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter absolutely FREE! This could save you a ton of time in the parks and avoid buying express passes!

If you’re not sure when to plan your next Universal vacation, Our Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We breakdown the park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices by day, and average temperature.