Image from cnn.com
For every muggle living in the human world, the unveiling of Universal Orlando Studios’ The World of Harry Potter back in 2010 gave the chance to explore a world only seen in books and movies. This expansion of the Islands of Adventure theme park truly did JK Rowling’s Harry Potter justice, and since then, people have flooded into Orlando, Florida to experience the park first hand. Tourists were able to savor the taste of a cold, icy, butterbeer and discover what lied behind every corner in the Hogwarts castle. No one expected that Universal Orlando Studios would be able to out do themselves, but this summer, a completely new and magical world will take over the hearts of all Harry Potter loving fans. This expansion of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter can be found at Universal Studios, which neighbors Islands of Adventure. Fans will be able to walk around a full scale street replica of London just before entering the King’s Cross Station. They then can ride the Hogwarts Express which serves as a connecting path between the park in Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. While on this famous train, tourists can expect the same realistic experience as Harry, Ron, and Hermione on their way to Hogwarts. The train gets off at Hogsmeade and Hogwarts, found in Islands of Adventure. Back in Universal Studios, however, a secret entrance to Diagon Alley can be found in the Leaky Cauldron, a wizards only pub mention in JK Rowling’s books. From there, tourists can enter the well known stores of Diagon Alley, buy their very own wand at Ollivander’s, and even visit Gringotts Bank, where an out of this world ride, “Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts”, awaits. Fans can then find themselves up to no good when entering Knockturn Alley, infamous for housing dark wizards and selling dark objects. This enchanting new world opens at Universal Orlando Studios in Orlando, Florida this summer!
