The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Japan will open July 15, 2014, the theme park announced Friday.
Harry Potter actress Evanna Lynch, who played Luna Lovegood in the film series, was on hand at the announcement ceremony today. Additional guests included Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, United States’ Japan Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, and Potter set designer Stuart Craig.
The announcement was also used to unveil the land’s completed Hogwarts exterior which you can see below. As expected, it looks just like the attraction in Orlando:
A newly-launched website offers a look at all of the attractions you’ll expect to find at Wizarding World Japan. The line up has nearly everything that Wizarding World Orlando currently offers.
One major difference at Japan’s Wizarding World is that the land will not have the Dragon Challenge coaster seen at Universal Orlando. The reason is most likely two-fold: For one, Dragon Challenge existed under a different name in Orlando before being Potter-ized. Two, the ride takes up a lot of space and thus was deemed not worth recreating in Japan.
Since Universal Hollywood is also tight on space, we think it’s safe to assume that Dragon Challenge will not be built at the west coast Wizarding World either.
In related Wizarding World news, the Diagon Alley expansion at Universal Orlando is currently under constructed and is expected to open this summer.