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NEWS
Exclusive: Universal poised to rollout Harry Potter Diagon Alley attraction globally
POSTED 12 Dec 2014 . BY Jak Phillips
One million guests rode the Hogwarts Express in the month after it opened in July 2014
After the runaway success of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction at Universal Orlando, the theme park operator plans to replicate the winning formula across its other sites, Attractions Management understands.

The groundbreaking attraction, reported to have cost around US$250m (€202m, £159m) to create, saw thousands of designers, artisans and engineers collaborate to faithfully recreate Diagon Alley as JK Rowling imagined it, complete with a 3D multi-sensory ride that takes passengers on a daring escape from Voldemort and co at the Gringotts wizarding bank.

The joint collaboration between Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros. Entertainment broke the mould to create the world’s first centrally-themed multi-park experience. This saw the construction of a replica Kings Cross train station – complete with platform 9 and ¾ – enabling guests to catch the Hogwarts Express train to hop between the new world and the Hogsmeade attraction at nearby Islands of Adventure. For Potter fans to use the train, a two-park ticket costing US$136 (€101, £81) is required.

Given the standout success of the attraction – one million guests rode the Hogwarts Express in its first month – it is unsurprising that Universal is eager to spread the concept across its parks and capitalise on the Potter-mania that evidently endures.

According to a high-placed source, Universal is looking at a similar concept for Universal Studios Hollywood, as well as its parks in Singapore and Osaka, Japan. The plan would work particularly well at Osaka – which earlier this year launched its own Wizarding World of Harry Potter featuring Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Castle – with the potential for an area similar to Diagon Alley and a Hogwarts Express to link the two attractions.

It is thought that the company is also mulling the presence of Harry Potter attractions at its forthcoming resorts in Beijing and Moscow.

Potter-related attractions have proved to be hugely successful for Universal. Wizarding World of Harry Potter has doubled attendances at Universal's Islands of Adventure, from 4.2m at opening in 2009 to 8.1m in 2013.

Numbers for Universal Studios, Florida – also saw an increase – from 5.1 million to 7.1 million (according to most recent figures) – via sales of the multi-site Universal/Seaworld pass, showing how the Potter-effect has knocked on to the wider business.

A Universal spokesperson was unable to comment on the company’s expansion plans.
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Universal has revealed it will be adding new Harry Potter attractions, alongside Super Nintendo and How to Train Your Dragon worlds to its Florida resort.
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A fire has destroyed part of the new water world, Oceana, at Liseberg in Sweden, and a construction worker has been reported missing.
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COMPANY PROFILES
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Vekoma Rides has a large variety of coasters and attractions. [more...]
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Taylor Made Designs (TMD) has been supplying the Attractions, Holiday Park, Zoos and Theme Park mark [more...]
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IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
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TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. Our product portfolio includes all different [more...]
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08-08 May 2024

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10-12 May 2024

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NEWS
Exclusive: Universal poised to rollout Harry Potter Diagon Alley attraction globally
POSTED 12 Dec 2014 . BY Jak Phillips
One million guests rode the Hogwarts Express in the month after it opened in July 2014
After the runaway success of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction at Universal Orlando, the theme park operator plans to replicate the winning formula across its other sites, Attractions Management understands.

The groundbreaking attraction, reported to have cost around US$250m (€202m, £159m) to create, saw thousands of designers, artisans and engineers collaborate to faithfully recreate Diagon Alley as JK Rowling imagined it, complete with a 3D multi-sensory ride that takes passengers on a daring escape from Voldemort and co at the Gringotts wizarding bank.

The joint collaboration between Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros. Entertainment broke the mould to create the world’s first centrally-themed multi-park experience. This saw the construction of a replica Kings Cross train station – complete with platform 9 and ¾ – enabling guests to catch the Hogwarts Express train to hop between the new world and the Hogsmeade attraction at nearby Islands of Adventure. For Potter fans to use the train, a two-park ticket costing US$136 (€101, £81) is required.

Given the standout success of the attraction – one million guests rode the Hogwarts Express in its first month – it is unsurprising that Universal is eager to spread the concept across its parks and capitalise on the Potter-mania that evidently endures.

According to a high-placed source, Universal is looking at a similar concept for Universal Studios Hollywood, as well as its parks in Singapore and Osaka, Japan. The plan would work particularly well at Osaka – which earlier this year launched its own Wizarding World of Harry Potter featuring Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Castle – with the potential for an area similar to Diagon Alley and a Hogwarts Express to link the two attractions.

It is thought that the company is also mulling the presence of Harry Potter attractions at its forthcoming resorts in Beijing and Moscow.

Potter-related attractions have proved to be hugely successful for Universal. Wizarding World of Harry Potter has doubled attendances at Universal's Islands of Adventure, from 4.2m at opening in 2009 to 8.1m in 2013.

Numbers for Universal Studios, Florida – also saw an increase – from 5.1 million to 7.1 million (according to most recent figures) – via sales of the multi-site Universal/Seaworld pass, showing how the Potter-effect has knocked on to the wider business.

A Universal spokesperson was unable to comment on the company’s expansion plans.
RELATED STORIES
MORE NEWS
The Everyday Heritage initiative celebrates and preserves working class histories
Off the back of the success of the first round of Everyday Heritage Grants in 2022, Historic England is funding 56 creative projects that honour the heritage of working-class England.
Universal announces long-awaited details of its Epic Universe, set to open in 2025
Universal has revealed it will be adding new Harry Potter attractions, alongside Super Nintendo and How to Train Your Dragon worlds to its Florida resort.
Heartbreak for Swedish theme park, Liseberg, as fire breaks out
A fire has destroyed part of the new water world, Oceana, at Liseberg in Sweden, and a construction worker has been reported missing.
Museum director apologises after comparing the city of Florence to a sex worker
Museum director Cecilie Hollberg has come under fire for comparing the city to a sex worker due to uncontrolled mass tourism.
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Populous have unveiled their plans for a state-of-the-art e-sports arena, designed to stand as a central landmark in Qiddaya City’s gaming and e-sports district, Saudi Arabia.
Raby Castle reveals ambitious plans to become a major visitor destination
Raby Castle, known as one of the finest medieval fortifications in England, is nearing the end of an ambitious two-year renovation project.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V.

Vekoma Rides has a large variety of coasters and attractions. [more...]
Taylor Made Designs

Taylor Made Designs (TMD) has been supplying the Attractions, Holiday Park, Zoos and Theme Park mark [more...]
IDEATTACK

IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
TechnoAlpin

TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. Our product portfolio includes all different [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

08-08 May 2024

Hospitality Design Conference

Hotel Melià , Milano , Italy
10-12 May 2024

Asia Pool & Spa Expo

China Import & Export Fair Complex, Guangzhou, China
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2024

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
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