Hogwarts Express at Wizarding World of Harry Potter

All Aboard the Hogwarts Express!

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Last week, I did what some might call criminally insane, and I used 48 hours of my three days home sandwiched between Montana, Bonnaroo and three weeks in Europe to apparate to Orlando for a very quick visit to Universal Studios for the press preview of Diagon Alley. But I’d like to think any extreme Harry Potter fans would have done the same; after all, it’s not every day you get to be one of the first to ride the brand spanking new Hogwarts Express.

Hogwarts Express at Wizarding World of Harry Potter

You see, while 99 percent of the time I wind up turning down such opportunities—glorious as they are, I’m usually either booked months out and these such occurrences tend to happen with just weeks notice or I can’t afford to take time away from working—I knew I had to move Earth and mountains to attend this event. Case in point: I wouldn’t have wanted to miss this.

I mean … right? Not only was the #DiagonAlleyPreview done to the max, but some of the cast was there, as well, and I got to visit the park with just a couple hundred others, which is far more intimate than it sounds in such a massive space. When are you ever going to get that chance? But more on the attraction itself closer to the launch date. For now, I want to tell you about the Hogwarts Express.

train station as you enter from the Diagon Alley (i.e. Universal) side mimics a London station to a tee, right down to signs for the lift and the advertisements on the wall. Important to note: You must have a park-to-park pass to take the Hogwarts Express (meaning a ticket that allows you access to both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure). You’ll arrive in Hogsmeade in the original Wizarding World of Harry Potter (i.e. the Islands end) and be able to explore that side of the park, as well. And I highly encourage you to take the four-minute train ride both ways, as there are different views from each direction.

Hogwarts Express at Wizarding World of Harry Potter

It didn’t seem like I was going to get the chance to ride it as I had to fly out early on Thursday, the day the preview was actually taking place, and much of the morning was spent doing panels with the cast members in attendance (Bellatrix Lestrange, Draco Malfoy, the Weasley twins, Ginny Weasley, Hagrid, Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood and Professor Flitwick) before getting let loose in Diagon Alley itself. But then, a few execs were sneaking away for a private train ride and one of the Universal gals, knowing I had but 30 minutes before leaving for the airport, nudged me to follow them. So follow I did.

Hogwarts Express at Wizarding World of Harry Potter

And that’s how I came to occupy a car by myself on the Hogwarts Express. I like to think it was really because I’m a lowly first-year and the older wizards didn’t want to be seen with me. It’s a status thing, you know?

Hogwarts Express at Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Amazing, cool, awesome, stellar, awe-inspiring, magical, fantastic, stupendous, inconceivable don’t even begin to describe the experience. I don’t want to ruin the appeal of the ride itself, but let’s just say you travel from King’s Cross station in London through the world of Muggles to the Scottish countryside and pull up to Hogwarts in grand fashion.

Hogwarts Express at Wizarding World of Harry Potter

And yes, you even get to walk right through Platform 9 ¾ … well, just see for yourself.

Now…who’s excited?!?

COMMENTS
  • June 25, 2014

    This. Looks. Amazing. I was loving your Instagram updates while you were there (and a little jealous, if I’m honest!) and can’t wait to see the rest of your coverage. Also, love how King’s Cross looks so much like the real thing. Great design!

  • June 25, 2014

    I’m SO glad you came!!

    • July 9, 2014

      Me, too! Highlight of my year so far. And it’s always a good thing when I can squeeze in some Jet Sisters face time!

  • June 25, 2014

    King’s Cross station looks so detailed!

    • July 9, 2014

      You could even mistake it for the real deal, right?

  • June 26, 2014
    Vicki

    Wow Kings Cross looks exactly like the real one! And had I known they were shipping in English wizards for the event, I would have volunteered like a shot! 🙂 Now I really need to come back to the States for a visit 🙂

  • June 26, 2014

    Nice. My sister and I have a date to go there for my 30th bday (we are a bit tarde). Looks great. Where is the picture of you and Malfoy?

    Cool GoPro video. The actors played the part brilliantly. Was the steamed out framing an editing add on or we you dealing with the legendary GoPro humidity issue? Either way, I see directing in your future.

  • June 26, 2014

    I … ugh … so excited! It would have been criminally insane for you NOT to go. Just saying.

  • June 27, 2014

    So cool! I went to Universal Studios a few years ago and saw the Harry Potter stuff, but now I want to go back 🙂

  • June 28, 2014

    This is not insane this is brilliant! I would have done the same given the opportunity. Cheers!

  • June 30, 2014

    I’m so jealous. I went there about 6 months after they originally opened and it was so cool. I’m going to have to make another trip down ASAP!

  • July 2, 2014

    I was at Universal just recently and loved the Hogwarts express. I had just came from London and was at platform 9 3/4 with nephew so this made our trip even better. In London they actually have a shopping cart half in the wall where you can get your pic taken with a scarf of your choice. My nephew of course chose Gryffindor which left me taking Slytherin.

    This year I am planning on going to Edinburgh to see some the areas that were a main inspiration for the book!

  • July 3, 2014

    Oh my God, I’m so jealous!!! That is so cool that you got to be one of the first to see it, I totally understand how you simply HAD to be there, how could you pass up a ride on the Hogwarts Express?!

  • July 3, 2014

    I know everyone has already said this but I. Am. So. Jealous. Right. Now. I am also really interested in knowing how exactly they make it look like you’re walking right through the walls to get to Platform 9 3/4!

  • July 7, 2014
    Briel K.

    So cool!! Thanks for the sneak peek!

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