Cool Features Of The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter In Beijing
Best for Magical winter trips
Although Beijings Harry Potter world has similar attractions and features to the other parks, there is something special that happens in the cold months, along with the Osaka park, making it a pretty spectacular place to be. When the temperature dips low enough, Hogwarts Castle, the Hogwarts Express, and the surrounding areas are covered in a sparkling blanket of snow. Its something that is unlikely to happen in the Florida and Orlando parks and makes for an extra magical experience.
Renewal Options And Closing Thoughts
When this contract was being written back in 2007, the owners of the Universal Parks were not who owns them now. Since then, Comcast has taken 100% control of the parks. Its possible that this contract had to be amended in some way .
Since the contract has likely been updated in some way over the past 14+ years, none of this should be taken as how the agreement is currently structured.
The initial agreement we have been discussing today offered two renewal terms, one that would last through July 1, 2024 and another that would expire on June 30, 2029. Clearly Universal has renewed the contract for that first renewal option, as the lands are still open today.
Seeing the company continuing to build Wizarding World lands in theme parks around the world, including their newest park in Beijing, its clear that Universal intends to keep the licensing agreement in place for the foreseeable future.
We dont know what the current agreement between Warner Bros. and Comcast looks likeand if it has already changed since this document from 2007but we do know that this iteration of the agreement ends in the summer of 2029. So, we most likely still have at least 7 and a half more years of Potter at the Universal parks.
Please note: I am not a lawyer, and the above is only my interpretation of publicly available documents. Subscribe to the news feed or enter your email below to never miss an update. Photos: Alicia Stella
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Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Isn’t Just The Best Potter Ride It’s One Of The Park’s Best Attractions
Ride length: Just over three minutesWait time when I rode: Eight-and-a-half hours. There was no express queue and the single-rider queue was limited. In the end, both had similar wait times. In the near future, Universal is supposed to have a virtual queue to help alleviate wait times. Don’t be me and wait this long for Hagrid’s.
One of the few rides at Universal without screen projections to guide the attraction, Hagrid’s is the best thrill coaster the parks offer. You can read my review of the ride here.
You can choose to ride in a motorbike or sidecar. The motorbike experience is unparalleled. If you lean into the handlebars, you feel like you’re soaring through the skies leaning left and right on a motorcycle as it shifts into higher gear after higher gear. It features a button which lights up that you can press near the ride’s end to help save the day.
Not only does Hagrid’s go backwards, but at one point the entire coaster drops down onto a second track. The group I rode it with Friday screamed and yelled out expletives as they were taken aback by the drop. Even though our wait was a long one, the four people I stood in line with for the majority of the day all told me they thoroughly enjoyed the attraction.
An animatronic Hagrid looks great too. The biggest downsides are the ride’s super long and easy-to-jumble name and its long lines right now.
Queue: B-
You Might Want To Repeat The Rides
Opinions vary on which is the best ride inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park, but my kids loved Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts the best. My personal favorite was Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, which takes you inside Hogwarts. Even waiting in line for the Harry Potter rides is a fun experience for Potter fans, because the walls inside the castle are alive with moving portraits and other interesting set pieces.
Its worth noting that the Universal Express line and the standard entry line inside Hogwarts take different routes to the rides starting point. If youre a huge fan, you might want to wait in the standard line at some point just for the experience. Get there early for the standard line entry and then go again with your Express Pass.
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The Hogwarts Express Takes You From King’s Cross Station In London To Hogsmeade Or Back To Diagon Alley On A Magical Train Ride That Transports You To Platform 9 3/4
Ride length: Four minutesWait time when I rode: With the express pass it took us no more than 10 minutes to get onboard the train.
I wasn’t sure whether or not I should include the short train ride that transfers you from one Universal theme park to another on our list. However, after chatting it through with the hosts of MuggleCast, we decided we had to include the Hogwarts Express on here.
The Hogwarts Express includes a very detailed queue to walk through, there often is a wait time , and you receive two different experiences on the train depending on whether or not you’re traveling from Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade. Each ride has a different video for you to watch on the Hogwarts Express depending on which way you travel.
It’s important to note that you can only ride the train if you have a ticket which allows you to enter both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, but it’s well worth the extra money for a chance to ride in one of the train cars. Not only does it feel like you’re on the real Hogwarts Express, but you get to hear Ron, Harry, and Hermione as they travel past your train car.
Part of the queue experience is waiting for the train to roll in, but that’s OK. If you board from Hogsmeade outside of Islands of Adventures’ Hogsmeade it gives you the perfect chance to capture video of the train entering or leaving the station. You’re also given the opportunity to step aside after disembarking at King’s Cross Station at Universal Studios to capture this moment.
Disneyland Resort In Anaheim California
The California parks are the foundation to the Disney theme park history. They also have more local visitors than any other Disney park in the world.
Disneyland
Disneyland in Anaheim is the original Disney park that opened its gates on July 17, 1955.
Walt Disney was thoroughly involved in the creation of this park as a safe place for families to enjoy all over the world.
Its the only Disney park that Walt actually walked through and experienced the attractions. Plus, Disneyland in California is one of the most beautifully kept Disney parks.
As we go through each Disney theme park around the world, youll notice that there are different highly-themed lands and areas.
Lands at Disneyland in California
Some of the most popular attractions at Disneylandare Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion, and Thunder MountainRailroad.
A unique fact about Disneyland is that The Sleeping Beauty movie was still in production when Disneyland opened in Anaheim.
Disneys California Adventure
The California Adventure Park was built in Disneylands old parking lot on February 8, 2001. Although the first few years of this park were rough in regards to visitor satisfaction, things have definitely changed for the best in the most recent years.
The theme of Disneys California Adventure is to take you through the incredible history and natural resources of the state.
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Harry Potter Theme Park England
- The Making of Harry PotterWarner Bros Studio Tour Londonexplore
Harry Potter Theme Park England, known as the Warner Bros Studio Tour London, is one of the worlds most popular attractions for Harry Potter fans! Step into the world of witches and wizards and go behind the scenes to see how the 8 Harry Potter movies were made. Highlights of a visit include riding a broomstick, standing on platform 9 ¾ and getting onboard Hogwarts Express! This is an amazing day out for all family members and the Harry Potter Theme Park England is one of the most popular attractions for visitors to London. We offer awesome Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio tours departing daily from Central London that also includes pickup and transfer to the studio!
Discover a world of Harry Potter and book tickets today! Tickets can be collected directed at the Studio Tour or taken with transportation from Central London.
Top tip: If you cannot find tickets on your travel dates, please check out our useful last-minute guide for finding tickets.
No Hogwarts Acceptance Letter No Problem
Not many franchises have the universal, timeless appeal of Harry Potter. After all, Potterheads of all ages exist all around the world, reading and rereading J.K. Rowlings beloved works . Whether youre a Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Slytherin or Gryffindor, we can all agree: the Wizarding World has a special kind of magic.
Now, Harry Potter fans will have the chance to step into that wonderful fictional universe . Theres a new Harry Potter theme park being built, and its HUGE!
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Harry Potter World Opening Dates
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Islands of Adventure June 18th, 2010
Warner Brothers Studio Tour, London March 31st, 2012
Diagon Alley at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Orlando July 8th, 2014
Osaka, Japan The Wizarding World of Harry Potter April 7th, 2015
Hollywood, California The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Studios Hollywood April 7th, 2016
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Beijing September 20th, 2021
Tips For Visiting Diagon Alley At The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter In Orlando
Your Harry Potter Orlando experience actually begins outside of Diagon Alley in the London waterfront area of Universal Studios Florida. Its worth spending a few minutes in this area adjacent to the Harry Potter world to chat with the Knight Bus conductor and search for Kreacher the house-elf in the upstairs window of 12 Grimmauld Place before heading into Diagon Alley.
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When youre ready to enter the Wizarding World, you may be wondering where to find the entrance to Diagon Alley. To better keep out muggles, its hidden behind a brick wall just past Leicester Square Station.
Once inside the Harry Potter theme park, youll be staring right at the large Ukranian Ironbelly dragon that sits atop Gringotts Bank. It really does breathe fire . If you want to catch a photo or video of the fire-breathing dragon in action, listen for the dragons low growl and youll know hes warming up for his next performance.
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Diagon Alley Updatenovember 20 2014
‘Harry Potter Diagon Alley’ at Universal Studios Florida truly deserves the overused term ‘immersive’. While the Potter label gets people there in the first place, I think the most powerful part of this new park section is that it brings a piece of Europe, of European lifestyle, to Florida: four-storey buildings, people on the street, density and romance, and even a steam train! No deserted, low-rise suburbia.
Two anchor attractions grace its grounds: ‘Escape from Gringotts’, an enclosed roller coaster dark ride, which is a not too innovative hybrid of the classic Mummy Ride and the Spiderman concept of moving riders from 3-D screen to 3-D screen. It’s not bad. It’s not great. It’s got a queue of only 20 minutes.
The ‘Hogwarts Express’ train, connecting the two Harry Potter sections in the adjacent Universal parks, impressed me, though. First, by how smartly it increases revenue from ticket sales. This is probably the most lucrative idea that any theme park had in the last 15 to 20 years. Who would NOT want to take that train? And second, with what’s happening inside: the video running on the compartment window’s side is predictable, but the shadows of characters and animals simultaneously appearing on the train corridor are surprising an effect so unintrusively executed, but so powerful at the same time. Congrats to Universal Creative!
London’s King’s Cross Station in Orlando
Hogwarts Express train, connecting the two parks
Great special effects on the train journey
So Which Has The Best Shops When Comparing Diagon Alley Vs Hogsmeade
The Verdict: As tempted as you may be by the chocolate frogs, theres really no contest here. When it comes to which Harry Potter park is better at Universal, Diagon Alley in Islands of Adventure is the clear winner. They have more shops, more merchandise, and the fun of trading your money for Gringotts bank notes. Plus, the younger kids will love the stuffed animals at the Magical Menagerie!
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Is The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter A Separate Ticket
It is important to know if youre planning a trip to Harry Potter World, access to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is included with any valid Universal Orlando ticket. It is important to know that, if you purchase a one day ticket ticket to Universal Studios, then your entry to Diagon Alley will be included in that ticket. If you purchase a one day ticket to Islands of Adventure, your entry to Hogsmeade will be included in that ticket.
If you want to visit both parks in the same trip, consider buying a park-to-park ticket to Universal Orlando. Plus all of discount one day Universal Orlando tickets that we sell will include Early Park Admission to the Harry Potter rides!
The Shops At Universal Studios
- Weasleys Wizard Wheezes: Puking Pastilles and other prank items devised by the Weasley twins
- Gringotts Exchange: trade U.S. currency for Gringotts bank notes, which can be used in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade
- Borgin & Burkes: Death Eater masks and movie replicas
- Globus Mundi: passport holders, luggage tags, and other necessities for your magical travels
- Madame Malkins Robes for All Occasions: clothing and jewelry
- Magical Menagerie: plush toys featuring magical creatures, including fan fave Buckbeak
- Wiseacres Wizarding Equipment: unique house merchandise
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Universal Studios Has Huge Harry Potter News
- Publish date: Jun 17, 2022 3:31 PM EDT
Harry Potter is a major part of the Universal Studios franchise. Opened in 2011, the Wizarding World section in Orlando was so popular that a similar version was built in California by 2016.
The coaster “Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure” recently also earned the title of “best rollercoaster in Florida.”
“It was more than a new ride,” TheStreet’s Dan Kline wrote in January 2022. “Wizarding World was an immersive, fully themed land, and it set off a theme park arms race.”
Right now, Comcast – Get Comcast Corporation Class A Common Stock Report-owned Universal Studios is in the midst of constructing a new Orlando theme park known as Epic Universe slated to open by the summer of 2025.
While Universal Studios is yet to confirm it, speculation that it will contain a Harry Potter section is growing. The new section would be alongside Classic Universal Monsters and How To Train Your Dragon areas.
“We have seen the Wizarding World of Harry Potter spread like wildfire at Universal in regards to Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, and Diagon Alley all attracting Guests every day,” writes one post from Inside The Magic blog. “With the incredible demand still flowing through the J.K. Rowling created franchise, it is not surprising … that Epic Universe may house the next land.”
Your Best Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Itinerary
Are you looking for the best Wizarding World of Harry Potter itinerary for your upcoming trip?
Witches and wizards, if youre heading to Universal Orlando Resort to brush up on your magic and be immersed in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, then look no further.
From Diagon Alley and the darker Knockturn Alley to Hogsmeade Im covering everything you need to do if you only have one day at the two Universal theme parks.
To start, youre going to want to ensure that you have a ticket that allows you to go to both theme parks in one day because the train from Platform 9 3/4 will leave without you if you dont have a ticket.
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Real Harry Potter Wand Battles Teased By New Universal Parks Patent
A new patent filed by the Universal theme parks teases a potential Harry Potter attraction that could see guests engage in a simulated wand battle.
A new patent filed by the Universal theme parks teases a potential Harry Potter attraction that will allow guests to engage in a simulated wand battle. More than 10 years on from the release of the franchise’s final installment, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, the Wizarding World continues to dominate pop culture. As audiences dove into the magical world of Daniel Radcliffe’s Harry Potter and his life at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the films explored young Harry’s experience of becoming a powerful wizard and embracing his destiny of defeating He Who Must Not Be Named himself, Voldemort.
As the Wizarding World continues to attract new audiences, more recently with the release of the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them series, many are keen to experience the magic for themselves. Both Universal Studios’ Florida and Hollywood theme parks boast their own real-life versions of the Wizarding World, enabling guests to wander through Hogsmeade village and gander at Hogwarts castle in all of its glory, with Orlando guests also getting the chance to visit the iconic Diagon Alley. These much-loved expansions have brought guests as close to the magic of the Wizarding World as possible, and now it seems Universal has another innovative experience in the works.