Harry Potter fans now have a chance to ride the Hogwarts Express -- before the grand opening of Universal's newest Harry Potter area, Diagon Alley.
Hogwarts Express, the train Harry and his friends take to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, runs between Universal Orlando and Islands of Adventure.
On Tuesday Universal began the first of its "soft openings," brief periods where guests can experience the new attraction before it fully opens. Hogwarts Express will be in soft opening between now and the grand opening for Diagon Alley on July 8.
Universal said guests can get on the train at either King's Cross Station at Universal Orlando or Hogsmeade Station at Islands of Adventure as long as they have a park-to-park pass.
As for Diagon Alley itself, the new area is not in that soft opening stage yet. However, guests who had already purchased the special Harry Potter vacation packages were able to enter Diagon Alley on Monday.