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Credit: UniversalPotterheads, raise your wands in farewell — Universal Orlando Resort just announced the closure of a Wizarding World of Harry Potter staple.
It’s an exciting time for Universal Orlando. The Resort is currently building a third immersive Universal Park, Epic Universe. The theme park will rival Walt Disney World by reportedly welcoming lands inspired by Super Nintendo, How to Train Your Dragon (2010), Universal Monsters, and even more Harry Potter.
Universal Orlando Resort already boasts two Harry Potter lands, both inspired by the magical world created by JK Rowling. One is at Islands of Adventure – themed to Hogsmeade Village, Hogsmeade Station, the Forbidden Forest, and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and home to attractions such as Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.
The other is inspired by Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley in Universal Studios Florida and boasts the impressive Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts attraction. The two are connected by the Hogwarts Express attraction, recreating the train that transports students from London to Hogwarts in the series.
Unfortunately, we still have two more years to wait for the third Harry Potter land – rumored to be the Ministry of Magic, complete with a brand-new Harry Potter ride to rival Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. The land, as well as the rest of Epic Universe, is currently scheduled to open just down the street from Universal Studios Florida and Universal CityWalk in the summer of 2025.
But it seems like there’ll be plenty to keep us busy at the existing Universal Orlando Resort Parks in the meantime. Not only is Universal Studios Florida reportedly working on a new nighttime spectacular, it just revealed that it’s closing the Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle in Islands of Adventure to “make way for future show enhancements.”
The good news? Universal Islands of Adventure seems set to receive an upgraded Harry Potter nighttime show over at Hogwarts — perhaps something similar to Dark Arts at Universal Studios Hollywood, which uses drones to light up the skies over Hogwarts with a Patronus.
Related: Universal Orlando Preparing For Massive Wizarding World Expansion
But the bad news is, of course, that we have to say goodbye to Nighttime Lights for a little while.
Universal has confirmed that Hogwarts Castle will light up for the last time on May 9 – the same day Poseidon’s Fury is also set to close at Islands of Adventure.
Nighttime Lights currently plays multiple showtimes at Universal Islands of Adventure on select nights. Performances start at dusk, using Hogwarts Castle as a backdrop for a magical projection show that Universal describes as a “dazzling spectacle of music and lights.”
On select nights, watch in awe from Hogsmeade™ village as projections are cast against the majestic backdrop of the castle. Embrace your Hogwarts™ pride as the four houses are celebrated in stunning light and sound. It’s a beautiful way to end your day at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
The ride inside Hogwarts Castle – Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – will remain operational as usual during the Nighttime Lights closure. Guests can still also enjoy other magical attractions in the Wizarding World, including Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and Flight of the Hippogriff.
As of now, the Universal Orlando Harry Potter experience has no confirmed reopening date. Universal is also yet to confirm whether it will return under the same name, but here’s hoping for a Wizarding World experience even more magical than the last. Stay tuned for more updates on the Wizarding World, Epic Universe, and other exciting theme park developments at Universal Orlando Resort.
Have you ever visited the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? Let us know your favorite attraction in the comments!