The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has become a global phenomenon, with people racing from all over the world to Orlando to experience the magic that Universal has created. Families are also enjoying the amazingly detailed Harry Potter Studio Tour, which instead of letting you ride and live the adventure, you get to see where all the adventures happened. This summer, however, there are two all new additions to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and they are turning the “Boy who lived” into more of a global phenomenon, almost three years after the last film hit theaters.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is opening in two all new parks this summer, and the magic has never been so strong.
Diagon Alley-Universal Studios Florida
The first addition that should be opening up soon is once again in Florida. While the very first Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened in Orlando as well, this all new experience will take the world that was created in Islands of Adventure, and turn it into a Universe.
Here’s how it breaks down-The Wizarding World of Harry Potter:Hogsmeade, opened in 2010 at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and has the iconic Hogwarts Castle. Hogwarts houses the groundbreaking ride-Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
This summer at Universal Studios Florida, literally right next door, Diagon Alley will open. If you’ve seen the movies and read the books, than you’ll know what waits for muggles as they round the turn from London. Universal has painstakingly re-created some of the most iconic London landmarks such as Piccadilly Circus and Kings Cross Station. The area will feature tons of shops from the film and book series, including Ollivander’s Wands, Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes and Florean Fortesque’s Ice Cream Parlor…and who can ever forget The Leaky Cauldron. Everything here is going to be authentic to the British feel of the place, right down to the food. Gillywater, new wizard brewed beers, and Butterbeer Ice Cream will all be on the menu here. The alley will also feature the all new mega attraction, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, a high speed multi-sensory ride that will feature so many new elements it will make your wand spin. If that wasn’t enough, guests will be able to take a ride on the Hogwarts Express by boarding Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross Station. Once on board Muggles will take the long magical journey over to Hogsmeade Station and get off in Hogsmeade Village where they can battle dragons, dine in the Three Broomsticks and more.
There is no opening date as of yet, but we are betting on June 20th.
Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Universal Studios Japan
The Osaka, Japan theme park will be the second place in the world to get The Wizarding treatment as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens on July 10th. The all new section of Universal Studios Japan will be an almost exact replica of The Wizarding World in Orlando. The all new area will feature Three Broomsticks, Ollivander’s Wands, The Flying Hippogriff kids roller coaster, and of course Butterbeer!
Hogwarts Castle is also looming tall in the background, as Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey will make it’s Japan debut as well. The biggest difference between the two versions is that the Japanese version will be in 4K 3D, where the Orlando version is in extremely high definition.
The future of Harry Potter
With these new attractions opening this summer, of course the big question is “What’s Next?”. In 2016, Universal Studios Hollywood will be getting their own version of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Towards 2020, an all new film based in the Harry Potter Universe will also open, Magical Beasts and Where to Find Them. The all new movie will not be related to the current series, but it will take place in that same world, so naturally there will be attractions based on that world as well. Then there’s also the matter of expanding the current worlds.
Harry Potter isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, but guests can journey to his magical world this summer!
Stay tuned as we bring you even more from Universal and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Get social with us on Facebook, and be sure to follow along with us on Twitter @BehindThrills for the latest updates!
