Universal Studios and Warner Brothers Pictures have today confirmed details of their planned expansion to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando. Currently located in Universal Islands of Adventure, the themed 'world' based on J.K. Rowling's acclaimed children's novels and Warner Brothers' series of film adaptations will now branch over to the Universal Studios park, with a moving replica of the Hogwarts Express offering visitors the opportunity to speedily travel between the two attractions.
Having visited the original Hogsmeade land at Universal Islands of Adventure, we would have already thoroughly recommended the Wizarding World experience, yet this expansion seems to make the prospect all-but-essential for Potter diehards. Here's a full round-up of what the cross-park attraction will soon entail:
- First and foremost, over in the Universal Studios Orlando resort, an indoor replica of Diagon Alley has been constructed as the home of the refined Potter experience. Fronted by a deceptive London entrance which features buildings such as Sirius Black's home and the Leicester Square underground tube station, the land itself will contain such iconic Philosopher's Stone landmarks as Gringotts' Bank The Leaky Cauldron and Ollivanders, along with locations introduced in subsequent novels including Knockturn Alley, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes and a hidden portal to the Ministry of Magic. Authentic, eh?
- Just as the Hogsmeade experience at Islands of Adventure (which will of course remain open) contains a central immersive attraction in the incredible motion simulator Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (something that truly has to be experienced to be believed), so too does the Diagon Alley section boast Harry Potter and the Escape of Gringotts. This ride (the format of which remains unspecified) will be based loosely on the opening sequence of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011), albeit with a storyline likely set to take place in-between films as was the case with Forbidden Journey.
- Even the Hogwarts Express ride that is available to carry fans between the two parks/lands will be an experience unto itself, the journey's video content differing considerably in both directions (i.e. from Hogsmeade to Diagon Alley and vice versa). Warner Brothers and Universal remained predictably elusive in terms of details of what to expect and what these differences were, but if Islands of Adventure's Wizarding World is anything to go by, then the immersion in the Potter universe created here should be nothing short of astounding! You can check out the first concept art teasers of this expansion as a whole, courtesy (and the property) of IGN, below.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter's Universal Studios Orlando expansion will open this Summer.
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