While Universal Orlando’s announcement about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley was light on details, the high-res concept art spoke volumes.
So far we officially know that there will be shops, a restaurant, a working Hogwarts Express, and an attraction based on Gringotts. Universal has promised that more details will be forthcoming, so in the mean time we have to get up close and personal with the art.
Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes has its movie storefront
Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes will be within Diagon Alley. It will include the store front seen in the Harry Potter movies with the man lifting his hat revealing a bunny underneath.
King’s Cross
This is King’s Cross and the quickest way to hop over to Hogsmeade. The Hogswarts Express train and very long ride queue will be in here so fans can take a trip to the original Wizarding World land at Islands of Adventure.
Phone booth
A British phone booth appears to be accessible to fans and will certainly serve as a fun photo opp. Will we be able to dial 6-2-4-4-2?
Hogwarts Express
Although this is only concept art, this rendering of the Hogwarts Express may provide clues as to what the real, working train will look like. This model has the train itself with three to four passenger cars. We believe you won’t be able to look out the actual windows when you’re on board because otherwise you’ll see the backside of Universal. Instead, we think you’ll be looking at virtual screens which make it look like you’re traveling through the English countryside.
An outdoor seating section?
This area may not end up being much. It looks like there will be an outdoor seating area where you can get out of the sun and relax as the kids hop around the land. It reminds us of the Owl Post area at the Hogsmeade land where you can sit and relax without sweating.
Gringotts’ Dragon
Is this concept art telling us that a dragon will be perched upon the top of Gringotts and breathing fire down upon our faces?
What’s more likely is that the dragon will be featured inside the Gringotts Bank thrill ride. We can expect to encounter him as we try to break into the Lestrange’s vault and then make our triumphant escape.
UPDATE: Universal has confirmed that this dragon will actually sit atop Gringotts and breath fire!
The Knight Bus and Eros Fountain
The Knight Bus made an appearance during the Hogsmeade land opening, and now it appears to be receiving a permanent home out front of Diagon Alley.
Eros Fountain, which exists in London’s Piccadilly Circus, can be seen too.
Honorable Mention: Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Castle
You can see the original Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hogsmeade land far out in the distance, from this perspective. The Hogswarts Express train track wraps its way through the forest to get there as the sun sets. Beautiful.
Overview
Many, many details are yet to be unveiled. Did we miss anything in the Wizarding World expansion concept art that you did not?
Read Universal’s announcement where we also received comments from Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling.
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