Universal Orlando Removes Express Pass from One of Its Most Popular Harry Potter Rides
Universal Orlando Removes Express Pass from One of Its Most Popular Harry Potter Rides
Christopher EdwardsWed, May 27, 2026 at 3:41 PM UTC
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Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Fla.
Credit: CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
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Universal Orlando will remove Express access for Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure starting July 1
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter's Hogwarts Castle is undergoing renovations expected to finish later this year
Universal Orlando is closing its Lost Continent area to make way for a new themed land
Universal Orlando is making changes to one of its most popular attractions.
Beginning July 1, the park will remove Universal Express access for Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, a beloved Harry Potter-themed roller coaster in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter section of Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park.
"We are implementing an operational update to Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure," the park announced in a Tuesday, May 26 X post. "Effective July 1, 2026, the attraction will no longer be included in the Universal Express program, allowing us to improve the flow of the experience for all of our guests."
Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Fla.
Credit: Shutterstock / Craig Russell
Universal offers several paid Express passes that allow guests to skip regular standby lines. A standard Express pass allows expedited access to each participating attraction once per day, while the Express Unlimited pass allows guests to skip regular lines an unlimited number of times.
There's also an Express Now pass, a pay-per-ride digital pass available through the official park app that allows guests to buy a single Express pass for a specific ride at a designated time.
Some fans expressed their disapproval of the removal of the Express option for the Hagrid coaster.
"Extremely disappointed in your choice to remove Hagrid's from express pass. We purchased Unlimited Express, a BIG reason being for Hagrid's. You should implement this further out for those of us who have already booked our trip," one fan replied.
"There's a reason people pay a premium to get past long lines. So are you going to reduce the prices of express pass since it's leaving off the most popular ride?" another fan wrote.
Others welcomed the change, noting it could improve wait times.
"Am I the only one that thinks this is a good thing? The line moves fast, the only reason it builds to 160 min waits is due to express pass. This will take the wait down drastically," one fan wrote.
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Universal Orlando did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.
Entrance to Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Fla.
Credit: Shutterstock / veritographer
First opened in 2019, Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure takes riders on a journey deep into the Forbidden Forest on an enchanted motorcycle. Universal first added Express options to the ride in 2025.
Elsewhere at the Universal Orlando Resort, more changes are underway.
Hogwarts Castle is currently undergoing a renovation. In late March, fans noticed the massive centerpiece of the land was covered in scaffolding and gray tarp.
A representative for Universal Orlando confirmed to PEOPLE that work on the castle would be "complete later this year."
Universal Studios in Orlanda, Fla.
Credit: Shutterstock / Softice DK
Earlier this month, Islands of Adventure began demolition of its original Lost Continent area, according to aerial footage captured by local outlet WESH. The video, taken from a news helicopter, shows an excavator stationed next to a pile of debris.
On May 7, a spokesperson for the park confirmed to PEOPLE the land would permanently close in order to make way for a “new themed area.”
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Next year, Universal Orlando will debut Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, a high-speed roller coaster themed after the massive movie franchise. On the West Coast, Universal Studios Hollywood will introduce its own version of the attraction later this year.
Universal Orlando expanded with an entire new theme park, Epic Universe, in May 2025. It was the first major U.S. theme park to open in more than two decades.
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
