The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Plain logo
Hogwarts Castle, which housesHarry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Theme	Harry Potter (book series,film series anduniverse)
Attractions
Total	3 (Florida) 3 (Japan, Hollywood, Beijing)
Roller coasters	3 (Florida) 1 (Japan, Hollywood, Beijing)
Shows	4 (Florida) 2 (Japan, Hollywood, Beijing)
Universal Islands of Adventure
Status	Operating
Opened	June 18, 2010[1]
Replaced	Portions ofThe Lost Continent
Universal Studios Florida
Status	Operating
Opened	July 8, 2014[2][3][4]
Replaced	Amity Island
Universal Studios Japan
Status	Operating
Opened	July 15, 2014[5][6]
Universal Studios Hollywood
Status	Operating
Opened	April 7, 2016[7]
Replaced	Gibson Amphitheatre The Adventures of Curious George
Universal Studios Beijing
Status	Operating
Opened	September 20, 2021
Universal Epic Universe
Status	Operating
Opened	May 22, 2025

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a chain of themed areas atUniversal Destinations & Experiences based on theHarry Potter media franchise, adapting elements from theWarner Bros.' film series andoriginal novels byJ. K. Rowling. The areas were designed byUniversal Creative from an exclusivelicense withWarner Bros. Entertainment.

AHarry Potter-themed attraction at either aDisney or Universal park was rumored in 2003.^[8][9] However, the rights to theHarry Potter franchise had been acquired byWarner Bros., who denied all rumors.^[10] Both Disney and Universal entered bidding negotiations with Warner Bros. and Rowling for the theme park rights toHarry Potter.^[11] In 2004, Rowling signed aletter-of-intent with Disney, with the company intending to develop aHarry Potter section within an area ofFantasyland at theMagic Kingdom park atWalt Disney World.^[12][13] In January 2007,About.com reported a rumor from a "highly credible source" that theUniversal Islands of Adventure park'sLost Continent area was going to be re-themed "to the stories and characters of one of the most popular children's franchises".^[14] Other sources followed up in the next few days with unofficial confirmation that the new area would involveHarry Potter.^[15][16] On May 31, 2007, Universal, in partnership with Warner Bros., officially announcedthe Wizarding World of Harry Potter would be added to Islands of Adventure.^{[17][18][19][20]}

All three theme parks at theUniversal Orlando Resort inOrlando, Florida – Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Florida and Universal Epic Universe – have Wizarding World of Harry Potter themed environments. The two formers includeHogwarts Express stations allowing passengers to reach both theme parks aboard the full-scale replica of the train that appears in thefilm series.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened atUniversal Islands of Adventure on June 18, 2010. It includes a re-creation ofHogsmeade and three rides. The flagship attraction isHarry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, which exists within a re-creation ofHogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A new roller coaster,Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, which replaced theDragon Challenge, opened on June 13, 2019. Other rides includeFlight of the Hippogriff, afamily roller coaster, and the Hogwarts Express. Other attractions include Ollivanders Wand Shop, the Triwizard Spirit Rally, and the Frog Choir. Hogsmeade contains many gift shops and restaurants from the book series including Dervish and Banges, Honeydukes, Ollivanders,^[21] the Three Broomsticks, and the Hog's Head.

At theUniversal Studios Florida theme park, anotherWizarding World of Harry Potter land opened on July 8, 2014.^[2][3][4] It includes a re-creation ofDiagon Alley and connecting alleys, as well as a small section ofMuggleLondon. It includes the ridesHarry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts and theHogwarts Express. Other attractions include Ollivanders Wand Shop, a puppet performance ofThe Tales of Beedle the Bard, and a live performance by Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees. The area also contains many shops and restaurants from the book series includingThe Leaky Cauldron,Ollivanders Wand Shop,Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes,Borgin and Burkes,Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions,Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment, andFlorean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour.

A third land in theWizarding World, theMinistry of Magic, opened as part ofUniversal Epic Universe on May 22, 2025^[22][23] with attractions based on both theHarry Potter andFantastic Beasts film series.^[24][25][26] A theatrical showLe Cirque Arcanus is included in 1920s wizarding Paris. The land also features many shops, restaurants, and experiences, as well as a location where guests can time travel by Métro-Floo to the 1990s British Ministry of Magic. The Ministry of Magic is the home of the land's ride:Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry.^[27][28][29]

At theUniversal Studios Japan theme park inOsaka,Japan,the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened on July 15, 2014. It includes the village of Hogsmeade,Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride, andFlight of the Hippogriff roller coaster.^[5][6] Two features in the Japanese park not found in Orlando or Hollywood areHogwarts' Black Lake and live owls.^[6]

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened atUniversal Studios Hollywood on April 7, 2016,^[30] ReplacingThe Adventures of Curious George which closed on September 6, 2013. The flagship attraction is the flight-simulating rideHarry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, similar to the Orlando one. Visitors once wore Quidditch-inspired 3D goggles throughout the ride for an enhanced ride experience, but the 3D visuals have recently been replaced by 2D.^[31][32]

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened as part ofUniversal Studios Beijing on September 20, 2021.^[33] This area features the familiar village of Hogsmeade and the towering Hogwarts Castle. The main attraction is theHarry Potter and the Forbidden Journey flight-simulating ride, which is similar to the version in other Universal parks. Another notable ride is the family-friendly coaster,Flight of the Hippogriff. Visitors can also experience the wand-choosing show at Ollivanders and enjoy dining at the Three Broomsticks.^[34]

The table below shows the different attractions across all the parks around the world.^{[35][36][37][38]}

• Places in Harry Potter

• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Wikimedia Commons has media related toThe Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

• Operating amusement parks
• Harry Potter in amusement parks
• Licensed properties at Universal Destinations & Experiences
• Universal Destinations & Experiences attractions by name
• 2010 establishments in Florida

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