Universal Orlando Harry Potter Hogwarts Express is in Fact a Funicular Railway !

I've learned something today about Universal Orlando Hogwarts Express that i didn't knew. Well, may be you were aware of it or may be it's obvious when you do the ride between Universal Studios Orlando and Islands of Adventure... And i learned it thanks to a post from Swiss company named CWA.

So, in fact the Hogwarts Express, although having all the aspects of a real steam train ( locomotive, smoke, whistle, etc... ) is in fact a funicular railway, meaning - if i've understood it well - that the Hogwarts Express doesn't go from USF to IOA like a steam train, thanks to the power of the  locomotive, but pulled by a machinery at both ends of the track on which are attached a system of cables. If you don't know what a funicular is, here is the Wikipedia definition:
"The basic idea of funicular operation is that two cars are always attached to each other by a cable, which runs through a pulley at the top of the slope. Counterbalancing of the two cars, with one going up and one going down, minimizes the energy needed to lift the car going up. Winching is normally done by an electric drive that turns the pulley. Sheave wheels guide the cable to and from the drive mechanism and the slope cars."

Generally a funicular is done when there is a big slope, which is not the case here, but it can be done also when it's not the case, when the track is flat. So, basically the Hogwarts Express locomotives, even you can see the steam and hear the whistle is probably not used to pull the train between the two parks. Again, this is what i've understood from what you'll read below, and if i'm wrong please let me know. That said, the illusion works pretty well, and you need to have a real close look at videos to finally see the cable underneath. Okay, it kills a little bit the magic knowing that it's not totally a "real" steam train but not too much, that's okay.

Update: A kind D&M reader - Simon De Bruijn - sent me these pictures in which you can see the mechanism of cables located under the train. The last picture shows that even some of the steam which seems to come out of the train is in fact coming... from the ground!

Here is more infos about the Hogwarts Express from what CWA has posted recently, and i also have a great video for you right after it:

Swiss expertise is embedded in the all-new Hogwarts Express experience, created for guests of Universal Orlando Resort by Universal's creative team.

From July 8, the Hogwarts Express began transporting guests between Hogsmeade Station at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure to Kings Cross Station and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley, in Universal Studios Florida. The two lands are expansive, themed areas that include shops, restaurants and the attractions, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.

The four-minute Hogwarts Express journey transports visitors between the two lands, giving them a chance to ride the iconic train.

The various components making up the new funicular railway mostly come from Switzerland, from the companies Garaventa, CWA Constructions S.A. and Frey AG, Stans. The Hogwarts Express, composed of two carriage sets, is a faithful reproduction of the iconic locomotive from the Harry Potter films. The train is made up of a steam locomotive, a coal tender and three passenger carriages, all the product of engineering from Switzerland.

A unique railway project

As general contractor, Garaventa AG entered into new territory in building the Hogwarts Express. Due to the significant weight of the train (overall length around 70 metres) and tight curve radii and high rope tension, a funicular railway in this form had never before been built. Garaventa AG is proud to have mastered the technical aspects and designs needed to create a one-of-a-kind funicular railway that is true to the Harry Potter films and honoured to have been entrusted by Universal Orlando Resort with recreating such a beloved and iconic element of the Harry Potter stories.

Lightweight construction with a venerable appearance

When visitors board the Hogwarts Express, they have Swiss craftsmanship to rely on. To achieve a faithful visual reproduction, Garaventa commissioned CWA Constructions S.A. in Olten, a company specialising in the construction of innovative funicular railway cabins and also part of the Doppelmayr / Garaventa Group. Faithfully reproducing every detail of the Hogwarts Express was a unique challenge for the Swiss cabin builders. The carriage set is constructed to look of solid, heavy iron and wood sections and the interiors of the carriages are accurately lit and equipped with best-in-class entertainment systems to innovatively present the most realistic images, sound and acoustics.

Controls ‘made in Stans’

For the controls behind the funicular railway, general contractor Garaventa commissioned a third Swiss company, Frey AG from Stans in Nidwalden, on the state-of-the-art wiring of 42 train compartments for film and sound installations. Additionally, Frey AG Stans was tasked with outfitting all compartments with industry-standard technical equipment traditionally used in the construction of both aerial funicular systems and funicular railways, enabling a fully automatic railway drive system.

Technical details

Year of construction: 2014
Length: 676 metres
Speed: 3.4 m/s
Number of trains: 2
Diameter of haul rope: 46 mm
Diameter of counter rope: 46 mm
Diameter of line sheaves: 400 mm
Track gauge: 1800 mm
Weight of locomotive: 13 tonnes
Weight of tender: 15 tonnes
Weight of carriages: 27 tonnes

North station drive
Required rated performance: 215kW
Required peak performance: 636kW

Companies involved in the project

General contractor for railway engineering:
Garaventa AG

Compartment construction:
CWA Constructions S.A., Olten

Funicular railway controls:
Frey AG, Stans

We'll end with this pretty interesting video of a trip between Kings Cross Station and Hogsmeade Station and the reason why is because not only he filmed the stations up to the exit, which allow you to have a better view of how all this is for those who haven't been to Universal Orlando yet, and the ether reason is because how they've resolved the problem of a family boarding the train with a large twin stroller - the wall of the last compartment of the wagon is literally "opening" to let the twin stroller go inside it!




Video: copyright Temporary Tourist

Universal Studios Florida Celebrates One Million Riders on Hogwarts Express!

Universal Studios Florida celebrates the first one million riders on Hogwarts Express! Already? Yep, just one month after Diagon Alley opening a milestone has been reached and cheers from guests filled the air at Hogsmeade Station!

And to celebrate this milestone, Universal orlando gave to two hundred guests complimentary Butterbeer ice-cream, which was probably very welcome during a hot summer day in Florida!`

Pictures: copyright Universal Studios Orlando

All Aboard Diagon Alley "Escape From Gringotts" As We Have Finally A Decent Video Of The Ride !

I was waiting for it since last month press event and thanks to Ryan Newman we have finally a quite decent video of Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts ride! It couldn't be better to start the week !

Now, before you watch the ride video it might be a good idea to walk inside Gringotts and to see the pre-show, right? Just to enjoy the attraction as a regular guest of USF Diagon Alley does... Good news, i've found a perfect video of it filmed by The DIS, and here it is.




Before watching the video of the ride itself, you must also watch this short other video filmed by Attractions Magazine in the queue before boarding as it shows the movements that the vehicle is doing during some scenes of the ride, it'll help you to understand what happen during the ride when you'll see Ryan video.




And now, here is Ryan video which starts with the first scene of the ride, happening shortly after the vehicle left the boarding room. The video is the best available so far and one could say it would have been better a little bit more sharp but remember that the projections are in 3D and that it's pretty dark all along the ride, so i think Ryan did a good job. Definitely watch the video full screen, but before you'll launch it here is some additional details about the ride provided by Ryan that you must keep in mind while you'll watch the video:

First scene - The ride vehicle moves forward until the track ends at the first scene ( Ndr: the one with Bellatrix Lestrange throwing thunderbolts ). As the 3D projections are happening, the track begins to tilt down. The vehicle then goes into a drop and a few small twists until you reach the second scene.

Finale - During the finale in the volcano scene, the screen actually opens up and the car is launched forward in the dark.

The ride vehicle goes through a few twists and the cars move 360 degrees.

Picture: copyright Universal Studios

Videos: copyright Ryan Newman, Attractions Magazine, The DIS

Fantastic Diagon Alley Videos Reveal the Stunning Theming of New Harry Potter Land

The press event of Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando is now over and some great videos appeared on Youtube. Always no videos, though, of the Escape to Gringotts ride as it was forbidden to film. That said, The Diz did a fantastic and professional quality video showing the whole land, including the dragon breathing fire at the top of Gringotts bank!

You'll note on all the videos below the amazing theming of Diagon Alley, and honestly, i can't believe they've succeeded to build this whole land as well as the two rides with such stunning theming in a year and a half only...




Next is another great video from Inside the Magic showing Knockturn Alley, the "dark side" of Diagon Alley, always in the dark, day or night!




Last but not least, always from The Diz a video of the "three brothers" show which has some charm as it is done with an ancient style. I'm sure that during Shakespeare days street shows were done like this!




Don't miss too the great Mice Age update HERE with literally dozens of pictures of the land as well as short videos including the one below showing the effect inside Kings Cross station of "going through the wall" to access to platform 9 3/4! A pure "pepper ghost" effect very well done.





Same perfection with the Gringotts bank Audio-Animatronics goblins as you'll see on the video below.




Finally, one more for the road with this new Universal videos showing the trip inside Hogwarts Express between Hogsmeade and London with James and Oliver Phelps, the two actors playing the Weasley  Brothers in the films.




A press event is following another one and i give you appointment tomorrow Sunday for  a Live Blog from the Ratatouille press event at the Walt Disney Studios! Don't miss it!

Picture: copyright Universal Studios

Videos: copyright The Diz, Inside the Magic, Mice Age, Universal Studios

Official: Universal Orlando Harry Potter Diagon Alley Opens on July 8 ! Plus: Press Event HD Pictures !

The Diagon Alley press event is currently happening at Universal Orlando and it's now official, Diagon Alley will open officially on July 8! Universal also released brand new HD pictures of Diagon Alley!

The Hogwarts Express at London Kings Cross station

Inside Wiseacres shop

Inside Weasley's Wizard Wheezes shop

The Leaky Cauldron

Knockturn Alley

A non-official picture of a close-up shot on the Dragon.

iThemePark has posted an incredible video showing Diagon Alley filmed by helicopter. You'll see great views of the Dragon as well as Hogwarts Express and even IOA Wizarding World. Definitely watch it full screen mode!




 I did some screen captures from this great video, here are three of them showing the dragon on different angles, you can see many more showing the whole land on the D&M Facebook page HERE.

Thursday and Friday are the press event special days for Diagon Alley. The awaited Escape from Gringotts ride will be unveiled and videos of it should appear on Youtube very soon! You can also follow Live the main events from the Universal Orlando website HERE.

Pictures: copyright Universal Orlando, iThemePark

New Universal Orlando Diagon Alley Video With Harry Potter Cast !

Universal Orlando released a new video showing more of Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts Express during a visit of the "Weasley family" - James and Oliver Phelps and Bonnie Wright with Universal Creative Thierry Coup!




I did HD screen captures for you and as you've seen in the video it starts with a trip from Hogsmeade station to London. You can see the inside of the wagons as well as the screen on which guests will see the film during their trip between the two stations. The TV monitors are a little bit too much stick to the window for me but let's wait to see how it works in real...

Entrance of Diagon Alley. Looks great to me, as well as the shops and themed elements...

They went then inside Gringotts Bank and we can see the Goblins Audio-Animatronics. The video don't show anything of the ride itself so we won't know if the actors did it or not, but you won't have too long to wait to see more about the ride as the press event will happen in ten days from now...

That's all for today, more about Diagon Alley anytime soon!

Pictures and video: copyright Universal Orlando

Harry Potter Wizarding Worlds

As you know a new Wizarding World of Harry Potter will open soon in Japan at Universal Osaka and Hogwarts Castle will enjoy an even better location as you can see on this picture and its reflection in the lake nearby.

Talking about Harry Potter, the walls in front of Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando are down and guests can now walk and enjoy the London facades - but still can move inside Diagon Alley. Inside the Magic has posted the great video below as well as great pictures that you can see in his article HERE.




Video: copyright Inside the Magic

Universal Studios Release More Details About Harry Potter Diagon Alley "Escape from Gringotts" Ride !

As announced, Universal Studios Orlando released today a new preview video as well as new infos for the highly awaited E-ticket ride "Escape from Gringotts":

"At the far end of Diagon Alley guests will find Gringotts bank, with a larger-than-life dragon towering over it that breathes real fire. The bank is home to the signature attraction, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.

In “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2,” there’s a pivotal scene where Harry, Ron and Hermione break into Gringotts bank to steal a powerful Horcrux that (spoiler alert!) will help them defeat Lord Voldemort. On Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, you’ll encounter the trio during this quest – but expect to meet some dangerous creatures and malicious villains as well!

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts has everything you could possibly imagine and more – it’s a mind-blowing next generation thrill ride through the Gringotts vaults. It combines 4K high-definition ride animation and 3-D technology with live special effects to propel you into the action of the Harry Potter books and films.

For a sneak peek at the action, check out this video featuring some of the creative minds that are bringing this attraction to life. We’ve also captured some photos inside Gringotts bank and taken screen grabs from the HD ride animation to give you a first look.

Get ready for the ride of your life."

All these new infos sounds good, isn't it? In a few lines we've learned that the 60 foot tall Dragon located outside, at the top of the bank, will indeed breath real fire, that the ride will have - for its projection scenes - 4K definition as well as 3D and live special effects, that guests will encounter Harry Potter, Ron and Hermione, as well as "dangerous creatures and malicious villains". But who exactly will be these malicious villains, that's what i will tell you know.

But first let's have a look at the ride vehicle thanks to this new picture showing it from the front, and 12 riders will be able to board inside the ride vehicle. The minimum height for the ride will be 42" - 6" less than for the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride - as one goal for the Escape from Gringotts ride was to allow "the whole family to be able to experience this," said Thierry Coup, senior vice president of Universal Creative Studios.

Before they arrive to the boarding room guests will have been through Gringotts bank - the goblin-owned bank for wizards, discover its vaults and the famous marble lobby with Goblins Audio-Animatronics who apparently will interact with guests to propose to open an account at the bank...

But the bank security has been penetrated, and "guests will find themselves transported smack in the middle of the action when Ron, Harry and Hermoine break into the bank" said Thierry Coup. The storyline for the ride itself is set just after this famous action scene that you've seen in the movie "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" adapted from the seventh book in the series written by J.K. Rowling.

Then, it will be time to board in the steampunk designed ride vehicles...

"Fans have clamored for a Gringotts ride for years, and it's definitely something that we knew that everybody wanted," Coup said. "The second we started sketching ideas it was definitely going to be Diagon Alley and Gringotts Bank". "We wanted the level of thrills that Forbidden Journey has but maybe make it more visual than physical in some ways, trying to strike the right balance," Thierry Coup said. "New projector technology and a nearly 360-degree screen will help immerse riders in the story at one point".

"The guests journey will go many miles below London toward the institution's vaults..." said Thierry Coup, and at the start of this journey they will meet Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange, played by Helena Bonham Carter.

For sure, the lightning bolts sent by Bellatrix will be impressive in 3D...

... and she will send us down deeper inside Gringotts bank where will await security trolls...

...and surviving that, we'll go even deeper where the Dragon is.

...But Guests will also eventually come face to face with Lord Voldemort!

"The time you'll spend in each scene with the characters is greater than we've been able to achieve in any ride," Coup said. "It's really going to give you the sense of being there with your favorite characters."

That said, Universal isn't calling the Escape from Gringotts ride a roller coaster: "We've created an entirely new type of ride that propels guests into the story like never before," said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative.

So far, the opening date for the new Wizarding World has not yet been announced, may be later today or this week and i will let you know. In the meantime, it's time to watch the new behind the scenes video released today by Universal Creative!




Pictures and video: copyright Universal Studios