Universal unveils magic behind latest Harry Potter attraction
by Jak Phillips | 27 Jan 2014
An artist's rendering of how the new attraction will look when it opens this summer / 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.
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
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