Hogswarts Train Concept drawing

If you love Universal Studios, plan your vacation for this summer and get on board! The expansion of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will open sometime this summer, although the actual date has not been set. With the recent news release of the Hogwarts Express train attraction, enthusiasm for this Orlando theme park has once again been stirred like a Leaky Cauldron.

ORLANDO TOURIST TIP: If this Orlando attraction is essential to your vacation, why not make your plans for later in the summer? By then, you’ll have more details about the new experience, and it is surely to be open by August or September (no guarantee though – keep checking our site for announcements). You can get better deals on tickets, lodging and airline flights by planning this far in advance. Book a vacation package directly with Universal, and you’ll enjoy one hour early park admission before the general public.

If you’ve read the books, or watched any of the Harry Potter movies, you’ll know how important the train ride between London and Hogsmeade is to the young boys and girls going to and from school for the year. This train ride will be so similar, you just might think you are in the movie! Everything about the train is authentic – from the paint and the materials used to build it – down to the sound of the whistle. Climb aboard the train at King’s Cross Station Platform 9¾ and enjoy a scenic journey through the British countryside with surprises along the way. Each direction the train travels offers a unique experience.

For those of you that have never been to Universal Orlando, it helps to know that this Orlando theme park is divided into two separate parks. The original Wizarding World of Harry Potter park, already open, is located at Islands of Adventure and is named Hogsmeade. The new attraction is called Diagon Alley, and it is located at Universal Studios, and will be open some time this summer. The new train will connect the parks and allow guests with a two-park admission ticket (or annual pass) to travel between both Harry Potter lands.

The Hogwarts Express is sure to be an exciting 7-minute ride for any Muggle to experience. With 8 people per cabin and 200 people per train, you can expect some long lines when this new attraction opens. Even a wave of a magical wand will not change this, so if you are able to wait until later this year, you might avoid a few dementors. If you can wait…that is the challenge.