The Universal Orlando Resort is currently celebrating Passholder Appreciation Days, and Passholder Night has returned for the first time since 2019. Passholder Night is an exclusive after hours event for annual passholders at the resort, often known as UOAPs. This year, the event took place at Universal’s Islands of Adventure from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., offering access to attractions, meet and greets, and exclusive menu items.
Passholder Night Check-In
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 1 passholder night](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night.jpg)
When Universal Orlando Resort announced the perks for Passholder Appreciation Days, they also announced that UOAPs would need to register to attend this event. Registration filled up extremely quickly, leaving many Passholders disappointed. There was a standby line offered in CityWalk, which stretched down along the pathway in front of the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Hard Rock Cafe. Guests were lined up quite early to wait for an opportunity to join Passholder Night.
Guests from the standby line would eventually be let in to the park, along with essentially any passholder who showed up, even if they did not have a reservation. This is great for the people who did not get a reservation, though it is also disappointing for guests who expected lower attendance due to capacity.
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 2 passholder night 2](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-2.jpg)
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 3 passholder night 3](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-3.jpg)
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 4 passholder night 4](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-4.jpg)
Many guests lined up outside of Islands of Adventure to check in and get a wristband, but there was also a location inside the park. Just across from Confisco Grille, by the water, signs for the event indicated reservations were required. We walked up with no wait and got our wristband around 6 PM.
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 5 passholder night 5](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-5.jpg)
The park was not cleared of guests before the event started, though the wristband was used to identify who would be able to access parts of the park or the attractions. It’s a very good thing we got our wristband when we did.
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 6 uoap check in line for passholder night 2](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/uoap-check-in-line-for-passholder-night-2.jpg)
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 7 passholder night 8](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-8.jpg)
Closer to 7 p.m., the queue to check in stretched all the way to Seuss Landing. Get your wristbands early! Guests could get their wristbands as early as noon.
Special Food and Beverage
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 8 passholder night 6](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-6.jpg)
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 9 passholder night 7](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-7.jpg)
Starbucks offered a specialty Cookies and Cream Cold Brew for UOAPs, so we decided to make a stop and give it a try. This is a very strong cold brew coffee with a touch of vanilla and a sweet cookie cold foam. The caffeine definitely kicked in and we were ready to start our Passholder Night adventure.
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 10 uoap check in line for passholder night 1](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/uoap-check-in-line-for-passholder-night-1.jpg)
We initially went in with expectations of low crowds, but this was really the opposite. The place was packed. At the start of the event, with day guests mixing into the queues, the wait times were exorbitantly high for Jurassic World VelociCoaster and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. These are the most popular attractions in the park, so it was a little disappointing that the wait times were just as high as any average day. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure had an 80 minute wait at the start of the event.
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 11 passholder night 10](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-10.jpg)
Instead of queuing for rides, many chose instead to get in line for the specialty food and drink offerings. In Jurassic Park, Jurassic Pop had a Jalapeño and Cheese Stuffed Pretzel available for purchase. The line for the pretzel moved quickly, though the stand was consistently busy throughout the night.
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 12 passholder night 9](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-9.jpg)
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 13 passholder night 11](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-11.jpg)
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 14 passholder night 12](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-12.jpg)
This pretzel was amazing and we hope it becomes a permanent addition to the menu. The melted cheese inside paired with the crispy, hot exterior was a delicious combination and the perfect pairing to the drink from the Watering Hole. Additionally, the Lemon Slush stand in Port of Entry had a Spinach and Feta Stuffed Pretzel, but we did not get a chance to try it.
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 15 passholder night 13](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-13.jpg)
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 16 passholder night 14](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-14.jpg)
Extracting a drink from the Watering Hole was a challenge, and well worth the wait. The Watering Hole usually has a long line, but tonight, it was wild. This drink contains mango rum, spiced rum, mango puree, pineapple juice, and smoked chili bitters.
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 17 passholder night 42](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-42.jpg)
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 18 passholder night 43](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-43.jpg)
Backwater Bar in Port of Entry had a Cachaca Punch available, which consisted of Brazilian rum, grenadine, lemon juice, pineapple, and raspberry. This was another delicious drink we would love to see on the menu permanently.
Coca-Cola Zone
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 19 passholder night 39](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-39.jpg)
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 20 passholder night 16](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-16.jpg)
The Lost Continent was transformed into the Coca-Cola Zone with a lounge area, DJ, and giveaways. Red lighting was set up throughout the land and the Coca-Cola logo was projected onto the side of Poseidon’s Fury. A colorfully-lit vehicle was parked near Poseidon’s Treasures.
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 21 passholder night 17](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-17.jpg)
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 22 passholder night 19](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-19.jpg)
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 23 passholder night 15](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-15.jpg)
Tables were set up around the area for guests to hang out and relax. Near the entrance to Mythos Restaurant, Team Members handed out free samples of Fanta Strawberry and Fanta Orange.
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 24 passholder night 18](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-18.jpg)
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 25 passholder night 34](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-34.jpg)
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 26 passholder night 38](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-38.jpg)
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 27 passholder night 35](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-35.jpg)
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 28 passholder night 31](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-31.jpg)
The DJ played music and hyped the crowds up while Team Members on stilts gave out freebies and encouraged guests to dance. This was one of the best spots to hang out during the night.
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 29 passholder night 37](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-37.jpg)
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 30 passholder night 36](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-36.jpg)
Coke cup coolers, mouse pads, pins, and buttons were only some of the gifts handed out in this area. Other than the items handed out in the Coca-Cola Zone, there were no other gifts for attending the event.
Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 31 passholder night 20](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-20.jpg)
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 32 passholder night 21](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-21.jpg)
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 33 passholder night 22](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-22.jpg)
Hogsmeade was by far the busiest area in the entire park. The line for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure consistently stayed around 80 to 90 minutes throughout the entire night. The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle closed for refurbishment earlier this year, but Passholder Night offered a special opportunity to witness the show.
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 34 passholder night 23](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-23.jpg)
Due to this experience being closed all summer, this was another big draw for the crowds. Hogsmeade was packed during the first showing.
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 35 passholder night 24](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-24.jpg)
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 36 passholder night 25](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-25-1200x675.jpg)
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 37 passholder night 27](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-27-1200x675.jpg)
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 38 passholder night 26](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-26-1200x675.jpg)
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 39 passholder night 28](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-28-1200x675.jpg)
The show was exactly the same and we didn’t notice any differences. Still, it was nice to be able to enjoy this again and we have the perfect view, too. Watch the Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle performance during Passholder Night in our video below.
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 40 passholder night 29](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-29.jpg)
There sure are a ton of Annual Passholders at Universal Orlando! The turnout for this event was massive.
Character Meet and Greets and Photo Ops
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 41 passholder night 40](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-40.jpg)
There were several different meet and greets around the park, including Marvel characters, Woody and Winnie Woodpecker, and the Whos! These were just a few of the roaming characters out for the night.
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 42 passholder night 50](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-50.jpg)
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 43 passholder night 44](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-44.jpg)
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 44 passholder night 45](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-45.jpg)
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 45 passholder night 46](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-46.jpg)
There were also some photo ops set up around the park, including giant UOAP letters in Toon Lagoon and the UOAP Night neon sign in Port of Entry. There were photographers at these locations to help you capture the moment. Most of the characters and photo ops had exceptionally long lines, though.
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 46 passholder night 47](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-47.jpg)
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 47 passholder night 41](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-41.jpg)
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 48 passholder night 51](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-51.jpg)
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 49 passholder night 52](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-52.jpg)
Several buildings around the park had different Passholder themed images projected on their sides. This was a nice touch to make the night feel special and unique.
Passholder Lounge
![REVIEW: UOAP Passholder Night Returns with Huge Crowds, Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, Specialty Food and Drinks, & More 50 passholder night 49](https://media.wdwnt.com/2023/08/passholder-night-49.jpg)
The Passholder Lounge was open during the event, though there was nothing particularly special happening inside. Free Jurassic Park art prints were still available, as well as the new UOAP merchandise, but there was nothing unique to UOAP Night. There was a ridiculously long queue snaking through Toon Lagoon, which may be a good indication that this new Passholder Lounge is not big enough.
Overall
We have mixed feelings about Passholder Night. Depending on what your expectations were, you may or may not have been disappointed at this event. The event was free, though it did require reservations and those reservations filled up swiftly. This may have given people the impression there would be a limited capacity with eased crowds. Our experience was the opposite, and the park was actually busier than a normal night. We spotted many guests without wristbands lingering in Islands of Adventure and at one point in the night, the entire standby queue was admitted — in addition to any other passholders who showed up.
The two most popular rides in the park had high wait times, but everything else was almost a walk-on. Lines for the specialty food and drinks were long, but they moved quickly and everything we tried was well worth the wait. Seeing the Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle was a nice treat we truly enjoyed. The Coca-Cola Zone and Port of Entry DJ areas were a blast! Simply enjoying the party vibes among other Passholders was fun for us.
Overall, we had an amazing night. Passholder Night is what you make of it. We skipped the rides and enjoyed dancing and snacking around the park in the dark. If you went to the event thinking you would walk onto Hagrid’s without waiting, this was going to be a huge letdown for you. Personally, we would much prefer smaller Passholder events, such as the Mardi Gras Token Experience Party or separately ticketed events rather than these crowded ones. Regardless, we would definitely attend the next event and hope to see more Passholder Nights in the future.
Did you have a chance to attend UOAP Night at Islands of Adventure? Would you be interested in seeing more after hours events at Universal Orlando Resort? Let us know in the comments.
For more Universal Studios news from around the world, follow Universal Parks News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news, visit WDWNT.