Hogwarts Express train ride

Dragon Challenge

When the Harry Potter section of Islands of Adventure opened in 2010, it was hugely popular, and the park's attendance increased dramatically. Because the adjacent Universal Studios Florida park's attendance suffered slightly as people flocked to the new Potter area, it was decided that a Harry Potter themed area would also be added to that park. When the Diagon Alley section was added to Universal Studios Florida in 2014, the Hogwarts Express train opened and linked both parks together. The ride consists of two trains that run on 2,218 feet of track. While on the train, riders get to enjoy an immersive experience thanks to projected images, a view screen, music, and special effects. While traveling from this station to King's Cross, the show inside makes it seem like riders are leaving Hogwarts, passing through a tunnel, and encountering centaurs. When the trains go in the opposite direction, the show makes it look like the train is departing Platform 9 3/4, encountering a Dementor, seeing Rubeus Hagrid flying on his motorbike, and finally arriving at Hogsmeade Station. During both journeys, projections make it seem like a variety of characters, including Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, are passing through the corridor outside the passenger's compartment.

Because the Hogwarts Express passes from one park to another park, guests that pay admission to just one park aren't allowed to ride the train. Only people who pay extra for a Park-to-Park ticket, or those with Season Passes, are allowed to board the train.

Hogwarts Express train ride between Hogsmeade to King's Cross