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Universal unveils magic behind latest Harry Potter attraction
POSTED 27 Jan 2014 . BY Jak Phillips
An artist's rendering of how the new attraction will look when it opens this summer Credit: Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort has announced details for its new Harry Potter experience, which will be linked to Universal’s existing boy wizard attraction at Islands of Adventure to create the world’s first centrally-themed multi-park experience.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley will open this summer at the Universal Studios theme park in Florida, featuring many of the shops made famous in JK Rowling’s franchise and centred around a 3D multi-sensory ride that takes passengers on a daring escape from goblins at the Gringotts wizarding bank.

In addition, visitors will be able to board the Hogwarts Express train from a recreation of London’s King’s Cross Station - complete with platform 9 and ¾ - to leave the Universal Studios Park and visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade attraction at nearby Islands of Adventure.

The new development is a joint project between Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros. Entertainment. Equal in size to the Islands of Adventure Potter site, creation of Diagon Alley has involved thousands of designers, artisans and engineers, while architects were sent on several research trips to London to assist the reconstruction of Kings Cross.

Despite the final film in the franchise being released in 2011, appetite for all things Potter shows no sign of abating, with this latest attraction building on Universal’s previous effort, as well as the behind-the-scenes tour at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden, which opened to much fanfare in the UK in 2012.

There are also plans for a Harry Potter experience at Universal Studios Japan, expected to debut by the end of this year.
RELATED STORIES
  Universal Orlando's new Harry Potter attraction draws thousands on opening day


The highly anticipated Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley opened to the public yesterday (8 July) with fans of the Potter brand turning out in droves to explore Universal Orlando Resort Florida’s new attraction.
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Montana Heritage Center opens with immersive exhibits and US$107 million investment
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NEWS
Universal unveils magic behind latest Harry Potter attraction
POSTED 27 Jan 2014 . BY Jak Phillips
An artist's rendering of how the new attraction will look when it opens this summer Credit: Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort has announced details for its new Harry Potter experience, which will be linked to Universal’s existing boy wizard attraction at Islands of Adventure to create the world’s first centrally-themed multi-park experience.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley will open this summer at the Universal Studios theme park in Florida, featuring many of the shops made famous in JK Rowling’s franchise and centred around a 3D multi-sensory ride that takes passengers on a daring escape from goblins at the Gringotts wizarding bank.

In addition, visitors will be able to board the Hogwarts Express train from a recreation of London’s King’s Cross Station - complete with platform 9 and ¾ - to leave the Universal Studios Park and visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade attraction at nearby Islands of Adventure.

The new development is a joint project between Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros. Entertainment. Equal in size to the Islands of Adventure Potter site, creation of Diagon Alley has involved thousands of designers, artisans and engineers, while architects were sent on several research trips to London to assist the reconstruction of Kings Cross.

Despite the final film in the franchise being released in 2011, appetite for all things Potter shows no sign of abating, with this latest attraction building on Universal’s previous effort, as well as the behind-the-scenes tour at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden, which opened to much fanfare in the UK in 2012.

There are also plans for a Harry Potter experience at Universal Studios Japan, expected to debut by the end of this year.
RELATED STORIES
Universal Orlando's new Harry Potter attraction draws thousands on opening day


The highly anticipated Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley opened to the public yesterday (8 July) with fans of the Potter brand turning out in droves to explore Universal Orlando Resort Florida’s new attraction.
MORE NEWS
OMA completes New Museum transformation with landmark expansion and Oberon restaurant
OMA has completed a major transformation of New York's New Museum, creating a larger cultural campus that combines expanded exhibition spaces with learning, performance, hospitality and public programming.
David Rockwell creates immersive magic destination, The Hand and The Eye
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and private membership under one roof.
Montana Heritage Center opens with immersive exhibits and US$107 million investment
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana Heritage Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
Universal launches new theme park model with Kids Resort
Universal Destinations and Experiences has launched a new regional theme park model with the opening of Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas.
San Antonio Zoo reports $283 million economic impact as expansion plans progress
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade- long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas attraction.
Great Barrier Reef attraction set for AU$180 million reinvention
Plans for the AU$180 million redevelopment of Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville, Australia, are progressing, with the project set to transform the attraction into a global centre for reef education and conservation.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
ProSlide Technology, Inc.

A former national ski team racer, ProSlide® CEO Rick Hunter’s goal has been to integrate the smoot [more...]
QubicaAMF UK

QubicaAMF is the largest and most innovative bowling equipment provider with 600 employees worldwi [more...]
DJW

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

IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
+ More diary  
 


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