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NEWS
Exclusive: Universal poised to rollout Harry Potter Diagon Alley attraction globally
POSTED 12 Dec 2014 . BY Jak Phillips
One million guests rode the Hogwarts Express in the month after it opened in July 2014
After the runaway success of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction at Universal Orlando, the theme park operator plans to replicate the winning formula across its other sites, Attractions Management understands.

The groundbreaking attraction, reported to have cost around US$250m (€202m, £159m) to create, saw thousands of designers, artisans and engineers collaborate to faithfully recreate Diagon Alley as JK Rowling imagined it, complete with a 3D multi-sensory ride that takes passengers on a daring escape from Voldemort and co at the Gringotts wizarding bank.

The joint collaboration between Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros. Entertainment broke the mould to create the world’s first centrally-themed multi-park experience. This saw the construction of a replica Kings Cross train station – complete with platform 9 and ¾ – enabling guests to catch the Hogwarts Express train to hop between the new world and the Hogsmeade attraction at nearby Islands of Adventure. For Potter fans to use the train, a two-park ticket costing US$136 (€101, £81) is required.

Given the standout success of the attraction – one million guests rode the Hogwarts Express in its first month – it is unsurprising that Universal is eager to spread the concept across its parks and capitalise on the Potter-mania that evidently endures.

According to a high-placed source, Universal is looking at a similar concept for Universal Studios Hollywood, as well as its parks in Singapore and Osaka, Japan. The plan would work particularly well at Osaka – which earlier this year launched its own Wizarding World of Harry Potter featuring Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Castle – with the potential for an area similar to Diagon Alley and a Hogwarts Express to link the two attractions.

It is thought that the company is also mulling the presence of Harry Potter attractions at its forthcoming resorts in Beijing and Moscow.

Potter-related attractions have proved to be hugely successful for Universal. Wizarding World of Harry Potter has doubled attendances at Universal's Islands of Adventure, from 4.2m at opening in 2009 to 8.1m in 2013.

Numbers for Universal Studios, Florida – also saw an increase – from 5.1 million to 7.1 million (according to most recent figures) – via sales of the multi-site Universal/Seaworld pass, showing how the Potter-effect has knocked on to the wider business.

A Universal spokesperson was unable to comment on the company’s expansion plans.
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David & Lynn Willrich started the Company over thirty years ago, from the Audio Visual Department [more...]
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Vekoma Rides has a large variety of coasters and attractions. [more...]
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NEWS
Exclusive: Universal poised to rollout Harry Potter Diagon Alley attraction globally
POSTED 12 Dec 2014 . BY Jak Phillips
One million guests rode the Hogwarts Express in the month after it opened in July 2014
After the runaway success of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction at Universal Orlando, the theme park operator plans to replicate the winning formula across its other sites, Attractions Management understands.

The groundbreaking attraction, reported to have cost around US$250m (€202m, £159m) to create, saw thousands of designers, artisans and engineers collaborate to faithfully recreate Diagon Alley as JK Rowling imagined it, complete with a 3D multi-sensory ride that takes passengers on a daring escape from Voldemort and co at the Gringotts wizarding bank.

The joint collaboration between Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros. Entertainment broke the mould to create the world’s first centrally-themed multi-park experience. This saw the construction of a replica Kings Cross train station – complete with platform 9 and ¾ – enabling guests to catch the Hogwarts Express train to hop between the new world and the Hogsmeade attraction at nearby Islands of Adventure. For Potter fans to use the train, a two-park ticket costing US$136 (€101, £81) is required.

Given the standout success of the attraction – one million guests rode the Hogwarts Express in its first month – it is unsurprising that Universal is eager to spread the concept across its parks and capitalise on the Potter-mania that evidently endures.

According to a high-placed source, Universal is looking at a similar concept for Universal Studios Hollywood, as well as its parks in Singapore and Osaka, Japan. The plan would work particularly well at Osaka – which earlier this year launched its own Wizarding World of Harry Potter featuring Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Castle – with the potential for an area similar to Diagon Alley and a Hogwarts Express to link the two attractions.

It is thought that the company is also mulling the presence of Harry Potter attractions at its forthcoming resorts in Beijing and Moscow.

Potter-related attractions have proved to be hugely successful for Universal. Wizarding World of Harry Potter has doubled attendances at Universal's Islands of Adventure, from 4.2m at opening in 2009 to 8.1m in 2013.

Numbers for Universal Studios, Florida – also saw an increase – from 5.1 million to 7.1 million (according to most recent figures) – via sales of the multi-site Universal/Seaworld pass, showing how the Potter-effect has knocked on to the wider business.

A Universal spokesperson was unable to comment on the company’s expansion plans.
RELATED STORIES
MORE NEWS
Warner Bros Discovery collaborates on upcoming Pompeii attraction
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
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COMPANY PROFILES
DJW

David & Lynn Willrich started the Company over thirty years ago, from the Audio Visual Department [more...]
Alterface

Alterface’s Creative Division team is seasoned in concept and ride development, as well as storyte [more...]
IDEATTACK

IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V.

Vekoma Rides has a large variety of coasters and attractions. [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
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