Park Profile
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Tickets ready! This is where passengers board the Hogwarts Express at Islands of Adventure
also not quite what it may seem – but all in the best interests of storytelling. The four-minute Hogwarts Express experience combines special effects, lifelike animation and state-of-the-art technology to take passengers on an immersive journey. Guests will enjoy two completely different experiences depending on which direction they are travelling. For those boarding the Hogwarts Express from King’s Cross Station in Universal Studios, they are transported from the Muggle world to the Wizarding world. As the Hogwarts Express pulls into the station, its billowing steam and authentic whistle invite guests to hop on board. Then they can take their seats in one of the train’s carriages and ride the train, just as in the Harry Potter films. Looking outside the window, they enjoy a scenic journey through the British countryside as they encounter magical creatures and some of their favourite Harry Potter characters. They’ll see Hagrid race alongside the train on his flying motorbike, Buckbeak the Hippogriff swoop gracefully over the black lake, the Weasley twins on brooms, and the Knight Bus swerving through the London traffic.
The Hogwarts Express, showing the cable drive system that powers it
Immersive experience
The multimedia show on the Hogwarts Express is not there simply to hide the backlot the train travels through. “It is always about the immersive experience for us,” insists Pacitti. “As with everything in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter it is about bringing the books and films to life. It was no different for the train. The journey on the Hogwarts Express is an important rite of passage for young wizards and witches so giving guests that same experience was really important. Every detail of the train was faithfully recreated and the show enhances the overall experience.”
Those travelling from King’s Cross to Hogsmeade and Island of Adventure enter the station and its hidden platform through a gap in the brick wall as featured in the films from Diagon Alley, the new themed area features a variety of eight shops, three dining experiences, two stage shows, and what for many will be the highlight – the Escape from Gringotts multimedia (and multi-million dollar) attraction. This highly-anticipated rollercoaster/dark ride takes riders on an adventure through the Gringotts vaults. It’s a bit like riding Universal Studios’ Mummy attraction
As a
themed area, Diagon Alley is unprecedented. Universal Orlando has created what is believed to be the world’s first centrally themed, two- park experience
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Leaky Cauldron
Escape from Gringotts AUGUST 2014 Caption 33
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