Universal Orlando Reveals Hogwarts Express Details

© Universal Orlando

With so much buzz around the Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley, Universal Orlando has kicked things up even further and provided additional details of the Hogwarts Express.  The famous train will take passengers between Islands of Adventure, where Hogsmeade resides, and Universal Studios Florida, where London and Diagon Alley are.  The resort also confirmed that guests will be required to have a park-to-park ticket in order to experience the journey.

© Universal Orlando

Guests in the London side of the Wizarding World will board at King's Cross Station via Platform 9 3/4, just as Harry and his friends did in the books and films.  The experience going to and from each park will be different, but both include "powerful storytelling, live special effects, lifelike animation and state-of-the-art technology to take riders on the journey of a lifetime."

The trains have been created to resemble those in the films with great detail, even down to the paint and materials used.  The cabins that guests will be seated in will offer spectacular views (via in-cabin special effects) that will truly make them feel as if they are a part of the Wizarding World.

© Universal Orlando

"Once seated in the cabin, guests will be able to look out their windows as an incredibly authentic and magical adventure unfolds before them.  They’ll see Hagrid come alongside the train on his flying motorbike, Buckbeak the Hippogriff swoop gracefully over the black lake, the Weasley twins on brooms and up to their usual antics, the Knight Bus swerving through London traffic – and other special moments and surprises."  While not mentioned in that specific quote, press materials do mention an encounter with Dementors - something most fans are looking forward to.

The resort has updated the official website for the Wizarding World to include a new video about Hogwarts Express - complete with animation that the stills above are from, plus new concept art that I haven't seen before.  Click on King's Cross Station on the main map to check it out.