Universal Orlando Offers Sneak Peek into New Harry Potter Themed Attractions
Thursday, January 23, 2014
By: Carmel Delshad

January 23, 2014 | WMFE Orlando - In a webcast with actors from the film series, park officials outlined plans for a train between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

Park goers will have to buy a two park ticket to ride the Hogwarts Express train, adding more than $20 to the admission price.

But Dr. Duncan Dickson of UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality says the added cost won’t be turning away fans

“For the die-hard Harry Potter fans, the $20 upgrade to the two park pass, I don’t think they’ll think about it,” says Dickson.

Universal also revealed Diagon Alley’s main ride will be called Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, a bank owned and managed by untrustworthy goblins in the books.

The additions follow on the heels of expansions at Disney. 

All of these changes could mean bigger revenues for Orlando’s parks, according to Dickson.

“You’re going to see a large increase in tourism starting in the summer, and I think you’re going to see park counts come up.”

Diagon Alley is slated to open sometime this summer.

You can view more photo renderings of Diagon Alley here, access Universal's new Harry Potter website here.