The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley is set to cast another spell over Universal Orlando Resort on July 8.
It's the destination's second attraction inspired by the Harry Potter series of books and movies. The first opened in 2010 and has been wildly popular with visitors. Like the first, the new attraction is richly detailed, bringing to life characters and settings from the series.
Harry Potter fans have helped lift attendance by 50 per cent at Universal Orlando Resort in the past few years, and interest in a second Harry Potter attraction is expected to continue the trend. But even if the new attraction doesn't lead to the surge in visitors that accompanied the original, Universal's cash registers will surely be ringing.
The new Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley has just one ride, a 3D thriller called Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. The first Harry Potter park has three rides. But Diagon Alley has seven shops, all so visually stimulating you almost don't notice you're shopping. Diagon Alley even has its own currency, so guests can swap US dollars - muggles money - for wizard cash to spend or to keep as a souvenir.
The rich level of detail in the park, inspired by J.K. Rowling's books and the Potter films, is authentic and exciting enough to thrill hardcore fans and casual visitors alike. There's a fire-breathing dragon, animatronic fantasy animals and The Monster Book of Monsters - a tome with teeth. There's butterbeer ice cream, an outdoor performance stage and a Hogwarts Express train that takes visitors to Universal's original Harry Potter attraction, which opened on the other side of the park in 2010.
Diagon Alley is a showplace for cleverly curated wares like the $A270 wizard robes and $A38 interactive wands that make trolls dance and light lamps. Backdrops include musty-looking books, creepy eels and cool stone-and-brick facades. Even the train ride between the two parks is immersive. Visitors board at either King's Cross Station (built like a real station) or Hogsmeade Station for the two-minute trip in enclosed compartments.
A video screen (instead of windows) shows a passing urban landscape, then countryside, along with Harry Potter characters. In the corridor silhouettes flit by and familiar Potter movie voices are overheard.
Universal won't say how much it cost to build Diagon Alley but some experts have put the number at $A432.78 million. To see both Potter attractions guests must buy a two-park ticket - $A147 for adults, $A140 for kids - because Diagon Alley is at the Universal Studios park, while the original Wizarding World attraction is at its Islands of Adventure park.
Universal plans to open a Harry Potter attraction this northern summer at its park in Osaka, Japan, and in California at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2016.
Source: AAP
