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Credit: UniversalUniversal Orlando Resort has announced the temporary closure of the only ride that operates in both Wizarding World of Harry Potter lands. The Hogwarts Express, available only to those with multi-park tickets, transports guests between Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida.
Widely considered one of Universal’s most ambitious and immersive theme park projects, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter initially opened with Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure in 2010. Diagon Alley opened at Universal Studios Florida four years later, bringing the Hogwarts Express with it.
Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley are home to multiple Harry Potter-inspired attractions, including Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Hagrid’s Magical Creature Motorbike Adventure, Flight of the Hippogriff, and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. But the Hogwarts Express is the only magical ride that also serves as transportation between the two Universal theme parks.
According to the Universal Orlando Resort website, the Hogwarts Express will close for a short refurbishment from January 28 to 31, 2025. The attraction is expected to reopen on February 1, 2025.
More change is coming to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter with the grand opening of Universal Orlando Resort’s third theme park, Epic Universe, next year. The theme park will feature a new Ministry of Magic area inspired by the Fantastic Beasts film series, “covering areas from 1920s Paris to the 1990s British Ministry.”
Epic Universe opens May 22, 2025, and also features lands like SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, Isle of Berk inspired by How to Train Your Dragon (2010), and Dark Universe. Tickets are only available via a multi-day pass that also includes entry to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure.
What is your favorite attraction in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments!