Universal Studios Hollywood : Harry Potter Diagon Alley Construction to Start Soon, Hogwarts Express Envisioned, More Wizarding World Soft Openings...

Soft openings have already started for Universal Hollywood Wizarding World of Harry Potter as you can see in the Mice Age pictorial report HERE. During March more soft openings - or technical rehearsals - will happen both for both USH guests and cast-members as well as families of the ones who built it.

Now, a few weeks ago in a post related to the Star Wars land coming to DL - and WDW of course - i was saying that now Universal Hollywood and Disneyland were rushing to be the first to open the big one. Some were surprised as they were thinking about USH Potter Wizarding World which open in six weeks and Star Wars land won't open before at least two years - no official opening date was announced yet. But i was NOT referring to Wizarding World but about Universal Hollywood next move, i.e Harry Potter Diagon Alley.

Yes, Diagon Alley is coming for sure to Universal Studios Hollywood, and even sooner than you may expect as not only they've already cleared the land where it will be built but apparently the construction will begin anytime soon, may be even before Wizarding World open on April 7. If not, it will be soon after as they'll need also two years to build it, and that's where the "rush" is between USH and Disney to open "the big one".



You can expect exactly the same Diagon Alley than in Florida with the same amount of details and of course the fantastic and award winning Escape from Gringotts ride but the big question is: will they build too the Hogwarts Express? In Florida, it was not only that they wanted to built it but they needed to build the Hogwarts Express to transport guests from Universal Studios to Islands of Adventure, the two lands being in two different parks. Now, and although Wizarding World and Diagon Alley won't be stuck one to each other at Universal Hollywood they don't really need it as much as in Florida, but they know that guests will expect the Hogwarts Express and would be disappointed if it was not there.



A few weeks ago, Lance on Screamscape said that the Hogwarts Express may "not move anywhere this time around" but could be a "simulated Hogwarts Express ride" meaning that the train will be built but not really "move". Well, from what i've heard this shouldn't be the case and Universal is thinking to add a moving Hogwarts Express although the track length might be less long than in Florida. As we know, the ride in the Hogwarts Express is an attraction in itself thanks to the movie and others visual effects happening during the ride and all the question is to know if they will reduce the length of the movie - or only the speed of the train so the length of the ride can match the one of the original movie.

Anyway, South Cal Harry Potter fans and USH guests will be happy to learn they won't have to go to Florida to experience the two Harry Potter lands and basically everyone will be happy about this news... except probably Disney which will see with more worries the opening of Diagon Alley - with one of the best ride in the world - at the same time than Star Wars land. A titanic battle is coming and we wouldn't miss it for anything in the world, would we?

Pictures: copyright Universal Studios

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

Universal Studios Orlando Evening Opening Event Unveil Harry Potter Diagon Alley and Hogwarts Express !

That's it, the opening evening event for Harry Potter Diagon Alley happened last night and first videos appeared on Youtube. As always Inside the Magic did a great job and filmed both Hogwarts Express trip - from London Kings Cross to Hogsmeade and return, but also all the queue decor and pre-show for the awaited Escape from Gringotts ride. It was forbidden to film the ride itself so i suppose that we may have to wait until the opening on July 10 to have someone who will transgress...

In the meantime here is the video showing the trip from London Kings Cross to Hogsmeade station at IOA and for the return trip and the Escape from Gringotts ride queue video jump to Inside the Magic HERE. One more thing: the Hogwarts Express ride is EXTREMELY well done, there is a lot of clever ideas in it and i even won't be surprised if very young kids would be scared a bit during the London - Hogsmeade ride. Also have a look at how they did for the moment where you have to walk through a wall to access the 9 3/4 platform in Kings Cross.




Picture: copyright Universal Studios

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

Universal Orlando Harry Potter Diagon Alley Event ! Now Updated With New High-Res Pictures and Live Event Presentation Video !

Universal Orlando did the awaited Live Event about Harry Potter Diagon Alley this morning and released plenty of new renderings, the ones you were waiting for! And this article is now updated with 15 new high-res pics and the 9 min video of the Live Preview presentation!

So, never before has a theme park created a guest experience like this: you will climb aboard the Hogwarts Express in Hogsmeade and moments later arrive at King’s Cross Station – where the wonders of London and Diagon Alley will unfold before you.  And it will be all real.

When guests will arrive in front of the impressive London facade they might recognize  some of them: King’s Cross Station, Charing Cross Road, Grimmauld Place, Leicester Square Station, Wyndham’s Theatre...

...and the famous Eros Fountain from Piccadilly Circus. The purple Knight Bus will be there too with an interactive inside including a taking schrunken head with a Caribbean accent!

The event was introduced by Mark Woodburry, President of Universal Creative, along with actors from the Harry potter movies. Mark was talking from the Gringotts bank vaults, and my guess is that it was filmed in one of the decor of the ride pre-show walk-through.

Then, Thierry Coup, Senior Vice-President Studio Creative told us more about the Hogwarts Express. After arriving at King’s Cross Station aboard the Hogwarts Express, guests will pass through London and the iconic brick wall archway from the films into Diagon Alley – a bustling, wizarding hub within a Muggle city. There will be shops, dining experiences, and the new ride called "Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts" – a multi-sensory, multi-dimensional journey that will take theme park attractions to a new level: 

Guests will board the Hogwarts Express and journey between London’s King’s Cross Station ( picture above ) which will be a replica of the real one in London with the famous 9 3/4 track - and Hogsmeade Station in Universal’s Islands of Adventure ( picture below ). The journey will be filled with virtual views of London and the British countryside – as well as a few surprises. Park-to-park admission will be required. 

Actually, Thierry Coup was filmed inside one of the wagon of the Hogwarts Express, the same one in which guests will make the trip to Hogsmeade Station!

He was joined in the wagon by Evanna Lynch, who portrays Luna Lovegood in the movies.

But if instead to go to Hogsmeade guests choose to stay in Diagon Alley they will enter through a special pathway looking like the parting of bricks that you've sen in the films when Hagrid let Harry potter get inside the area. And, yes, apparently the dragon will stand at the top of Gringoots bank!

Here are others shots of Diagon Alley, from the virtual movie shown during the presentation.

Then, guests will rush to experience a groundbreaking new, multi-dimensional thrill ride, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, which will place riders in the middle of an incredible adventure as they navigate their way through the perils of the Gringotts vaults! 

Universal didn't said a lot today about the ride itself, keeping surprises for later, but here are two renderings, the first one - now in high-res, below, showing what could be the departure scene of the ride...

I'm sure you want to have a closer look at the ride vehicle...

And also this one, showing an amazing scene during the ride which sure will be a BIG E-Ticket ride!

There will be much more to see in Diagon Alley, where guests will find plenty of shops and eateries:

Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, a vibrant shop featuring novelty items, magical jokes, and toys inspired by the books and films that will amaze the mischievous child in everyone

Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC, one of the wizarding world’s premier wand shops. An expanded version of the one at Hogsmeade village in which guests can witness the magical experience of a wand choosing a wizard.

A closer look at the shop...

Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, where guests can grab wizarding essentials such as telescopes, binoculars, armillary spheres, compasses, magnifying glasses and hourglasses.

Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour for frozen treats in a variety of tantalizing and unique flavors such as strawberry-and-peanut-butter ice-cream and many others.

But also: Leaky Cauldron - Serving traditional British fare such as fish and chips and bangers and mash.

Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions, where guests will find a variety of wizardwear from Hogwarts school uniform ties, scarves and jumpers, to authentic wizard’s robes and character costumes

Magical Menagerie, which features a collection of plush animals, such as owls and Hippogriffs

Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, where guests can grab wizarding essentials such as telescopes, binoculars, armillary spheres, compasses, magnifying glasses and hourglasses

Quality Quidditch Supplies, offering a wide assortment of apparel and equipment including Quidditch sweaters, brooms, Golden Snitches, Bludgers, Bludger bats, Quaffles and more

Scribbulus, featuring authentic writing implements and products such as feather quills, ink and inkwells, bookmarks, journals, parchment paper, seals, stationery sets and postcards

And, finally, Discover the darker side of magic in Knockturn Alley, the darkest of dark places that features Borgin and Burkes – a shop specializing in the Dark Arts that will offer a wide variety of Dark objects, such as Death Eater masks, skulls, and other sinister items!

Now, here is the full 9 min presentation of yesterday with even more infos about Diagon Alley!

For sure this new Diagon Alley will be awesome and just like you i can't wait for its opening this summer!

Pictures: copyright Universal Studios