The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

"The plans I've seen look incredibly exciting, and I don't think fans of the books or films will be disappointed."

— J. K. Rowling's thoughts on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter before it was opened to the public

Hogwarts in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter are themed areas, based on J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, that are located in Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Florida and Epic Universe.

"Step inside a world where magic is real."

— Universal Orlando on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The Wizarding World includes attractions pertaining to adventures in the film and book series, and shops where "wizard lore" is sold including a replication of Ollivanders. Since its opening on 18 June 2010, the area has proved very popular with guests, increasing park attendance by over 50%. Versions of the land for Universal Studios Japan, Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Beijing are now open.

The theme parks include attractions, restaurants, and shops themed around a recreation of Hogwarts Castle and Hogsmeade Village. Now, with the introduction of Epic Universe, Place Cachée and British Ministry of Magic are new locations in the Wizarding World parks.

History

During construction of the Wizarding World in January 2008, the Merlin Woods portion of the Lost Continent region in Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park, part of the Universal Orlando Resort, was demolished for building to begin. The construction of both worlds took two and a half years and cost 265 million US dollars.

In 2014, this was joined by Universal Studios Orlando's addition—a recreation of Diagon Alley (located on the former site of the Jaws attraction) with the Hogwarts Express train connecting the two. Universal's Epic Universe will feature a third addition when it opens in 2025, based around the streets of 1920s Wizarding Paris seen in the Fantastic Beasts films, and the 1990s-era British Ministry of Magic seen in the original Harry Potter.

Hogsmeade Village

Attractions

Hogsmeade Village in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

• Dragon Challenge – Choose from two high-speed roller coasters, the Chinese Fireball or the Hungarian Horntail.(Universal Studios Orlando only, closed permanently on 5 September 2017)
• Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure - A family rollercoaster adventure through the Forbidden Forest aboard flying motorbikes and encountering numerous creatures throughout the forest. Replaced Dragon Challenge (Universal Studios Orlando only, opened June 13, 2019)
• Flight of the Hippogriff – An epic family rollercoaster which includes a surreal animatronic Buckbeak.
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – A multidimensional, 3D action-packed ride experience starring Harry Potter and his best friends.
• Ollivanders – Here, the wand chooses you.
• The Hogwarts Express – Ride on a scarlet steam engine to Diagon Alley. (Universal Studios Orlando only)

Restaurants

• Three Broomsticks Inn – Enter Hogsmede's most famous restaurant and choose from a wide variety of traditional English meals.

Shops

• Dervish and Banges – Sells a variety of goods including Quidditch equipment, Triwizard apparel, Spectrespecs and Remembralls.
• Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods – Sells anything that Filch could get his hands on (everything, basically). This is where you come out from the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride.
• Gladrags Wizardwear – Sells apparel including student robes and uniforms, hats, accessories and jewellery (Universal Studios Hollywood only) or assorted accessories and different clothing items (Universal Studios Japan only).
• Honeydukes – A recreation of the legendary Hogsmeade sweetshop, which sells famous wizarding treats such as Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans.
• Ollivander's Wand Shop – Sells regular and interactive wands from the Harry Potter films including Harry Potter's wand, Ron Weasley's wand, Hermione Granger's wand and many more. However, the wands only work at specific places of Hogsmeade.
• Owl Post – Send letters or postcards with a certified Hogsmeade postmark to your friends and family.
• Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment – Sells magical equipment such as crystal balls and Time-Turners as well as a huge selection of other wizarding equipment. (Universal Studios Hollywood & Universal Studios Japan only)
• Zonko's Joke Shop – Sells various wizard joke and trick related items such as Extendable Ears and Rubby O' Chicken.

Other items of interest

• Bathrooms – The voice of Moaning Myrtle can be heard speaking to guests in the Hogsmeade Wash-rooms.
• Choir Performance – Students from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Frog Choir perform songs from the Harry Potter films with large frogs croaking out the bass line.
• Dance Performance – Students from the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and Durmstrang Institute perform a dance (similar to the one seen in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) called the "Triwizard Spirit Rally" on the grounds of Hogwarts.
• Hogsmeade Station – At the Hogsmeade Station there is a cheery Conductor who welcomes guests to Hogsmeade.
• Interactive Wands – Using a map and special interactive wands sold at Ollivander's, guests can go to different shop windows and use the designated spells to activate magical special effects.

Diagon Alley (Universal Studios Orlando only)

Attractions

The Ukrainian Ironbelly atop Gringotts in Diagon Alley in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

• Gringotts Money Exchange – Exchange Muggle money for Gringotts Bank notes and interact with an animatronic goblin.
• Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts – A multidimensional 3D thrill-seeker style ride through Gringotts Wizarding Bank, featuring Bill Weasley, Harry Potter, and his best friends.
• Ollivanders – Here, the wand chooses you.
• The Hogwarts Express – Ride a scarlet steam engine to Hogsmeade Station in Universal's Islands Of Adventure.

Restaurants

• Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour – Choose from a fabulous selection of ice creams and baked goods. Includes butterbeer flavoured ice cream.
• The Leaky Cauldron – Enter the wizarding world's most famous restaurant and choose from a delicious selection of traditional English meals.
• The Fountain of Fair Fortune – Ice-cold butterbeers and other drinks to satisfy your needs.
• The Hopping Pot – Draft beers, Fishy Green Ale, and Cornish Pasties are served here with outdoor seating.

Shops

• Borgin and Burkes – Sells Death Eater masks and other merchandise related to Voldemort and the Death Eaters. It is the only shop accessible in the Knockturn Alley area of the park.
• Wands by Gregorovitch – Sells regular and interactive wands from the Harry Potter films including Harry Potter's wand, Ron Weasley's wand, Hermione Granger's wand and many more.
• Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions – Sells robes for all occasions.
• Magical Menagerie – Sells animal related products such as stuffed animal versions of magical creatures.
• Ollivander's Wand Shop – Sells regular and interactive wands from the Harry Potter films including Harry Potter's wand, Ron Weasley's wand, Hermione Granger's wand and many more.
• Quality Quidditch Supplies – Sells many different clothing items and products, including Hogwarts house shirts, Quidditch supporter's gear and much more.
• Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes – The amazing Diagon Alley equivalent to Zonko's, sells many of the Weasley twin's products, and features props from the film.
• Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment – Sells magical equipment such as crystal balls and Time-Turners as well as a huge selection of other wizarding equipment. This is the shop which you may exit through after riding on Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts.

Other items of interest

• Dragon's Fire – The dragon atop Gringotts occasionally breathes fire and lets out a frightening roar.
• Interactive Wands – Using a map and special interactive wands sold at Ollivander's, guests can go to different shop windows and use the designated spells to activate magical special effects.
• Kreacher – When one looks closely at Grimmauld Place 12, they can see Kreacher appear from behind one of the windows.
• Music Performance – Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees perform four of their most famous songs in Diagon Alley.
• Theatre Performance – A theatre group from the Wizarding Academy of Dramatic Arts in Diagon Alley presents puppet shows based on Beedle the Bard's Tale of Three Brothers and The Fountain of Fair Fortune.
• The Knight Bus – Talk to the cheerful Knight Bus conductor and the Dre Head.
• The Talking Mirror – In Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions there is a mirror which will judge your appearance as you walk past it.

Ministry of Magic (Epic Universe only)

Attractions

• Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry - Set at the British Ministry of Magic after the events of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, guests must help Harry and his friends stop the Death Eaters in helping Dolores Umbridge escape her trial.
• Circus Arcanus - An indoor stage show based on the magical circus, which is boosting their attendance by way of creatures taken from Newton Scamander's suitcase.

Restaurants

• Café L'Air De La Sirène
• Le Gobelet Noir - A café themed as a hangout for dark magic users.
• Bar Moonshine - A sports bar for non-French wizards and witches celebrating Quidditch.
• Bièraubeurre Cart

Stores

• Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique - A French wand shop

Characters

• Laurel - A witch who attended Hogwarts in 1927 and was Sorted into Hufflepuff. She participated in an exchange programme.
• Saraphina Moonstone - A witch who attended Ilvermorny from 1920 to 1927 and was Sorted into Thunderbird. She also participated in an exchange programme.
• Celeste Chevalier - A witch who attended Beauxbatons in 1927.
• Jugson Podmore - A wizard who attended Hogwarts from 1920 to 1927 and was Sorted into Hufflepuff. He also participated in an exchange programme.
• Felix - A wizard who attended Ilvermorny in 1927 and was [presumably] Sorted into Thunderbird. He also participated in an exchange programme.
• Billie Anderson - A witch who attended Ilvermorny in 1927 and was Sorted into Thunderbird. She also participated in an exchange programme.
• Élodie Dufromme - A witch who attended Beauxbatons in 1927.
• Lyra Silverbrook - A witch who attended Hogwarts from 1920 to 1927 and was Sorted into Hufflepuff. She also participated in an exchange programme.
• Léa - A witch who attended Beauxbatons in 1927.
• Everett Hawthorne - A wizard who attended Ilvermorny in 1927 and was [presumably] Sorted into Thunderbird. He also participated in an exchange programme.

A Celebration of Harry Potter

A Celebration of Harry Potter is an annual celebration a which typically occurs at Universal Studios Orlando some time in January (most recently occurring from the 29th-31st of January) and usually runs for three days. It includes question and answer sessions with participating members of the Harry Potter cast, special panels, demonstrations, and the incredible Celebration of Harry Potter Expo. In 2016, the collection of 'Wizarding Schools' was unveiled by Evanna Lynch on behalf of Pottermore.

Key Events

• January 2007 - Rumours about a Harry Potter themed area began to circle.
• 30 May 2007 - The plans for a Harry Potter themed area were announced during a joint press conference between Warner Bros. and Universal.
• 3 December 2007 - Construction of the area officially commences at Islands of Adventure.
• 8 July 2008 - The junior steel coaster The Flying Unicorn and the Enchanted Oak Tavern are closed. The former begins refurbishment to prepare transition to Flight of the Hippogriff.
• 2 August 2008 - The Enchanted Oak Tavern is demolished to make way for the Three Broomsticks restaurant.
• 15 September 2009 - During a press conference featuring Tom Felton, Universal revealed the official names of the three main rides.
• 25 March 2010 - The grand opening date was announced.
• 20 May 2010 - Matthew Lewis, Emma Watson, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, and Robbie Coltrane had a tour of the area.
• 28 May 2010 - Universal Orlando began letting park guests preview the area.
• 16 June 2010 - An opening celebration was held. Bonnie Wright, Matthew Lewis, Tom Felton, Michael Gambon, James Phelps, and Oliver Phelps arrived on the Knight Bus, and Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint arrived in the Flying Ford Anglia.
• 18 June 2010 - Daniel Radcliffe and other members of the Harry Potter cast officially welcomed the first group of guests into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
• December 2011 - It was briefly stated that the Wizarding World in Florida would be expanded. This expansion was rumoured to be Diagon Alley themed with a ride based off of the carts at Gringotts Wizarding Bank.
• December 2011 - Rumours stated that Harry Potter cast members such as Rupert Grint and Helena Bonham Carter had been filming new material, presumably connected with the planned expansion.
• 8 July 2014 - Diagon Alley officially opened in Orlando's Universal Studios.
• 15 July 2014 - The Japanese version of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Hogsmeade) opens at Japan's Universal Studios.
• 7 April 2016 - The American west coast version of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Hogsmeade) opens at Universal Studios Hollywood.
• 22 May 2025 - A new Harry Potter area opened with the opening of Epic Universe park, Universal Studios Orlando.

Behind the scenes

• In J. K. Rowling's The Silkworm, there is a character named Orlando Quine. When series protagonist Cormoran Strike first hears the name, being half-asleep at the time, he first assumes it is the resort in Florida that is being mentioned. This could possibly be seen as a reference by J.K. Rowling to the location of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
• While promoting Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Jude Law, Katherine Waterston, and Eddie Redmayne were at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Jude got the chance to sit in Dumbledore's chair in his office and Eddie said comedically, 'Not yet mate, you've got a few more years to come'.

Gallery

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter promotional image

Grand opening celebration Wizardly World Hollywood - John Williams and LA Philharmonic

A portrait of Godric Gryffindor from the "Wall of Portraits" feature

A portrait of Helga Hufflepuff from the "Wall of Portraits" feature

A portrait of Rowena Ravenclaw from the "Wall of Portraits" feature

A portrait of Salazar Slytherin from the "Wall of Portraits" feature

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter's Diagon Alley area

Videos

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley Webcast Highlights

Diagon Alley Webcast Highlights

Introducing The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ - Ministry of Magic™

External links

• Official Website
• Media Website
• Orlando United-Islands of Adventure
• Screamscape-Islands of Adventure
• Harry Potter theme parks information