Hogwarts Express (Universal Orlando Resort)

Hogwarts Express

A Hogwarts Express train arriving at Hogsmeade station in Islands of Adventure
Universal Orlando Resort
AreaThe Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Coordinates
StatusOperating
Soft opening date1 July 2014
Opening date8 July 2014
General statistics
Attraction type Funicular attraction
Manufacturer Doppelmayr Garaventa Group
Designer CWA Constructions and Universal Creative
Theme Hogwarts Express (Harry Potter)
Music London Symphony Orchestra
Length 676 m (2,218 ft)
Speed 12.2 km/h (7.6 mph)
Vehicle type Cable car (railway)
Vehicles
Riders per vehicle 168
Duration About 4:00
No. of Tracks Single (with passing loop)
Track gauge 1,800 mm (5 ft 10 7⁄8 in)
Wheelchair accessible

The Hogwarts Express is an 1,800 mm (5 ft 10 7⁄8 in) broad gauge funicular railway people mover and attraction within the Universal Orlando Resort in Florida, United States. The route runs 676 metres (2,218 ft) between Hogsmeade station in the Islands of Adventure theme park and King's Cross station in the London area of the Universal Studios Florida theme park. The attraction, which was manufactured by the Doppelmayr Garaventa Group, is operated with two replicas of the Hogwarts Express. It provides a connection between the Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade areas which together form The Wizarding World of Harry Potter themed area, based on the Harry Potter film series. The two directions of travel provide two different experiences. Because the trains transport guests between stations in two separate theme parks, riders must have an admission pass valid for both theme parks, with ticket inspectors checking prior to boarding.

The Hogwarts Express soft-opened to the public on 1 July 2014 before officially opening seven days later along with the rest of the Diagon Alley expansion on 8 July 2014. Within one month of its opening, one million riders had travelled on the trains.

History

The idea of creating a Hogwarts Express-related attraction came from Mark Woodbury, the president of Universal Creative.[1][2] After the opening of the Hogsmeade attraction at the Islands of Adventure theme park in 2010, Universal began considering how to keep attendance balanced between the adjacent parks.[3] At first, the creative team considered putting Diagon Alley within Islands of Adventure. Eventually they decided that the London and Hogsmeade environments should not be visible between one another. As a result, Woodbury proposed building Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida and then connecting the two Harry Potter-themed lands with the Hogwarts Express train.[1]

Rumours that Universal Orlando was planning to expand The Wizarding World of Harry Potter began in early 2011 after construction surveying was spotted in the Lost Continent section of Islands of Adventure and the resort began asking visitors about a possible expansion.[4] On 2 December 2011, the resort announced the Jaws attraction would close on 2 January 2012 to make way for a future attraction.[5] In the same month, speculation arose that an expansion would include the Hogwarts Express to connect Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida.[6] In June 2012, theme park enthusiasts discovered that applications for permits had been submitted to the South Florida Water Management District and the City of Orlando suggesting that the resort was planning to build a track connecting the two theme parks, as well as one station building in each park.[7] Almost a year later, WESH, a local news channel, reported that an elevated track system had been installed at Universal Orlando and that the track ran between Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure and a construction area in Universal Studios Florida; suggesting the rumours were true.[2]

On 8 May 2013, Universal Orlando announced the expansion of Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Diagon Alley, along with the Hogwarts Express attraction, to be located on the former site of the Jaws attraction.[8][9][10] By the end of August 2013, all six passenger cars and both tenders had been spotted in the backstage area, waiting to be assembled on the track.[11] The first of the two trains was installed on the track on 24 October 2013.[12] By the beginning of December 2013, the second train had been placed on the track.[13] In January, the resort previewed the interior of the Hogwarts Express through a live cast.[14][15] On 2 December 2013, Orlando Attractions Magazine, an amusement park website, spotted one of the trains being tested for the first time.[16] In mid-March 2014, Universal Orlando Resort released further information about the ride, including concept animations.[17] On 24 June 2014, the resort announced that the Diagon Alley expansion, including the Hogwarts Express, would officially open to the public on 8 July 2014.[18] A week later, Universal Orlando soft-opened the Hogwarts Express, without any announcement.[19][20] Within a month of the Hogwarts Express' opening, one million riders had ridden the attraction.[21] It had taken approximately two and a half years to develop.[22]

Ride experience

Passengers are seated eight per compartment, and view the journey through the window.

Theme park guests may use the Hogwarts Express to travel between Hogsmeade and King's Cross in London, close to Diagon Alley. They can travel in either direction as long as the guest has purchased a Park-to-Park ticket, which gives guests access to both of Universal Orlando's theme parks within the same day.[23] Two different experiences are provided depending on the destination of the train, both of which are approximately four minutes long.[24][25]

Hogsmeade to King's Cross

At the entrance of the queue, ticket inspectors check passengers' tickets for Universal Studios. The queue then leads into a forested area which later leads into the Hogsmeade station building. Upon climbing a flight of steps, travellers reach the Hogsmeade station platform. Once the arriving passengers on the Hogwarts Express have left the platform, passengers waiting may then board the train and enter one of the twenty-one passenger compartments within the train.

As the train departs towards King's Cross, Rubeus Hagrid waves riders goodbye outside of the window. Shadows of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger can also been seen walking down the train corridor, looking for an empty compartment. Following this, Buckbeak flies outside the window, while Hogwarts can be seen in the background. Shortly after, the train enters a forest where centaurs are running. Upon exiting the forest, Hogwarts can be seen once again in the background. Fred and George Weasley appear, flying broomsticks and playing with fireworks. The Hogwarts Express then enters a tunnel, after which riders find themselves in the middle of a storm and pass Malfoy Manor. The journey then enters a second tunnel; Harry, Ron, and Hermione appear again in the train corridor. As a spider crawls up the compartment door, Ron eats it and the trio continue to walk on down the corridor. After the tunnel the journey continues into London passing by an industrial factory and then a residential area. The Knight Bus then appears; squeezing between buildings and shrinking to pass under a bridge. As the bus drives away, the train enters King's Cross station, where Alastor Moody greets passengers.

Passengers then disembark onto Platform 9¾ of King's Cross and proceed down some stairs into a 2010-era King's Cross Station, before arriving at the London waterfront area, adjacent to Diagon Alley.[26]

King's Cross to Hogsmeade

Platform 9¾ at King's Cross station at Diagon Alley has a large roof based on the real King's Cross railway station.

The King's Cross station part of the attraction is built on a site that previously held the Jaws attraction. The entrance to the station, which is a quarter-scale replica of the real London King's Cross railway station, is located in the London area, close to Diagon Alley.[10][27][28] Passengers enter the station building and have their admission ticket checked. They then enter a queue which takes them farther into the station building, under a split-flap department board, and past London-related advertisements, several stacks of suitcases and a shop selling food. After ascending a flight of stairs, passengers find themselves between signs for King's Cross Platform 9 and Platform 10. They can see those ahead of them walking through the "wall" forming the entrance to Platform 9¾. This effect uses the Pepper's ghost illusion. After continuing around several corners, guests arrive on Platform 9¾ itself to wait for the next train to arrive. After the Hogwarts Express has reversed into Platform 9¾ and the arriving passengers have disembarked, the next passengers enter one of the twenty-one compartments in the three passenger carriages.

As the train departs King's Cross, Hedwig the owl flies alongside while passing through the outskirts of London. Hedwig flies away and Dementors arrive from over the nearby buildings. At the same time Harry, Ron, and Hermione pass along the corridor side of the carriage looking for food. The journey enters a tunnel; upon its exit, it passes by Malfoy Manor during a stormy night. Next, the train passes through a second tunnel and the lights in the compartments go out as a Dementor enters the train and passes along the corridor; Harry Potter uses his magic to defeat the Dementor. After exiting the tunnel, riders are greeted by Hagrid flying on a motorbike with Hogwarts in the background. As the train enters a forest, the flying Ford Anglia appears and starts driving through the terrain. The car crashes soon after and the train leaves the forest, passing by Hogwarts once again before arriving at Hogsmeade Station with Hagrid greeting passengers.

Passengers then disembark the train, walk down a ramp past the front of the Hogwarts Express and follow a path leading to Hogsmeade.[29][30][31]

Characteristics

Hogwarts Express

Legend
 King's Cross
 Universal Studios Florida perimeter
passing loop
 above studio backlot
Islands of Adventure perimeter
 Hogsmeade

Track

The track of the Hogwarts Express is a single-track funicular elevated railway running over the backlot between the two theme parks, with a two-track passing loop at the midpoint.[1][32] It is 676 metres (2,218 ft) long and has a track gauge of 1,800 mm (5 ft 10 7⁄8 in). On the track, there is a haul rope and a counter rope, each with a diameter of 46 millimetres (1.8 in). The cable winding motor is located at King's Cross station and has a rated load of 215 kilowatts (300 hp) and a peak power rating of 636 kilowatts (900 hp).[25]

Trains

Trains transit above the Orlando Studios backlot between stations.

The Hogwarts Express uses two trains that can transport 168 passengers each, giving a total of 336 passengers per cycle.[33] Each train is an articulated cable car formed of five sections: a replica of steam-locomotive and its tender plus a set of three passenger vehicles. Originally each train was planned to have only two passenger carriages—this was increased following a survey that suggested potential passengers saw the connecting Hogwarts Express as an attraction instead of only as a means of transportation between the parks.[34] The locomotive on the 70-metre-long (230 ft) trains weigh 13 tonnes (29,000 lb), the tenders weigh 15 tonnes (33,000 lb), and each passenger carriage weighs 27 tonnes (60,000 lb). Since the attraction is setup with a funicular track system, both trains depart and arrive at the end stations at the same time and travel at the same speed of 3.4 metres per second (12 km/h; 7.6 mph).[25]

On both trains, the locomotive faces towards Hogsmeade station; it is not possible for the trains to face Kings Cross. The Hogwarts Express enters King's Cross in reverse but forwards at Hogsmeade; the train departs Kings Cross forwards and in reverse at Hogsmeade.[31] As a result, the trains are only designed to be seen from one side as the locomotives' false driving wheels and specific detailing only exist on one side.[26][30][35]

The trains were built in Goldau, Switzerland. CWA Constructions designed both the exterior and interior of the trains to make them look as faithful as possible to the Hogwarts Express seen in the Harry Potter film franchise.[22][25] They are based on the steam locomotive GWR 4900 Class 5972 Olton Hall (as 5972 Hogwarts Castle) and were built from aluminum and glass-reinforced plastics. Afterwards, an artificial weathering process was applied to give the appearance of a historic train.[36][37][38]

Frey AG was responsible for wiring the trains; specifically for the video and sounds components. The company also installed other technical equipment that allow the trains to be controlled by a computer system.[25]

Media

Each compartment has a curved screen where the window would be. There are two different experiences, depending on the destination of the train. The special effects in both video components were designed by Double Negative.[26][30][39]

The London Symphony Orchestra recorded the music played throughout the journey at Abbey Road Studios on 25 March 2014.[38] The music for the northbound journey is called "Connector Train – Hogsmeade to London".[38]

Reception

After the Hogwarts Express opened in July 2014, the ride received mostly positive reviews. Lance Hart from Screamscape was impressed with the fact that the King's Cross entrance was hidden from the rest of the Diagon Alley area. He also credited Universal for making the train look as realistic as possible: "Clearly they went to great lengths to create these cars to be replicas of what you see in the films, both on the outside as well as on the inside as you move down the hallway towards your cabin to take your seat". In terms of the overall experience Hart said, "Universal has managed to turn what would simply be a method of transporting guests between their two parks into yet another must-see attraction ... tying together the overall story and theme of visiting Hogwarts at Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley inside Universal Studios Florida".[40]

Robert Niles from Theme Park Insider mentioned how the attraction "broke walls"; including the separation of the Wizarding and Muggle worlds, how Universal made the audience the performers (in the part of the King's Cross queue where guests walk through the wall leading to Platform 9¾), and how, "It's become convention for theme park attractions to drop you off at or very near the same point where you boarded the ride, so it's a bit disorienting when you exit the Hogwarts Express and find that you're not only in a different train station — you're in a different theme park."[41]

Arthur Levine from About.com was disappointed that Universal had not tried to re-create the magical aspect of guests entering Platform 9¾, "When it's time to make their own way to the platform, however, it appears to would-be wizards that they are merely entering a darkened corridor. Aside from an audible "whoosh" sound, there is, regrettably, no attempt to reproduce the magical, molecule-shifting phenomenon". He also found it awkward that the Hogwarts Express reverses into Platform 9¾ at King's Cross—although in Hogsmeade the train arrives facing forwards. Overall Levine said that the attraction does more than just making it a ride, "By making it an integral and compelling part of The Wizarding World, most guests would want to ride it to get the complete Potter experience. By making it an inter-park ride and requiring a two-park ticket to board it, Universal will surely help up-sell a lot more more customers to higher-priced passes, encourage multi-day visits, increase demand for its on-property hotels, and drive business at its CityWalk dining/shopping/entertainment district".[31]

In 2014, attendance at Universal Studios Florida increased to 8.3 million visitors, compared to 7.1 million in the previous year. However, attendance at Islands of Adventure did not change. According to vice president of AECOM's economics, Brian Sands, the attendance increase at the Studios was likely due to the Diagon Alley expansion. Sands also mentioned attendance at Islands of Adventure remained the same since "visitors go to the new thing", though the Hogwarts Express likely prevented attendance from decreasing at the park.[42][43]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Bevil, Dewayne (2 July 2014). "How Universal came up with Hogwarts Express and said goodbye to Jaws". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on 6 June 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2015. Thierry Coup ... "created the whole idea of the Hogwarts Express. ... everyone can ride the train, which we thought "This is fantastic." There's no limitation, no ride-height limitation. You get on the train, and it’s a train except the journey is magical. ... we worked on that and created the layout, the path. Where would the train go? Of course, it will go backstage, but the guests will never know because we're going to take them on the actual journey."
  2. 1 2 "What is Universal planning for Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion?". WESH. 3 May 2013. Archived from the original on 13 July 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2015. proves the permits clear the way for a track that connects the current Wizarding World at Islands of Adenture [sic] to the 8-acre corner of Universal Studios, ... The track gives major traction to a rumored Hogwarts Express attraction.
  3. ↑ Garcia, Jason (10 December 2010). "Universal Orlando ponders how to take full advantage of Wizarding World's popularity". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on 22 July 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2015. executives are wrestling with questions such as when to expand Wizarding World and how to keep business balanced between Islands and Universal Studios Florida — the park without Potter.
  4. ↑ MacDonald, Brady (6 April 2011). "Universal Studios wonders how and when to expand Wizarding World of Harry Potter". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 29 July 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  5. ↑ Garcia, Jason; Bevil, Dewayne (2 December 2011). "Universal Studios to close Jaws to make way for new attraction". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  6. ↑ Hart, Lance. "Universal Studios Florida". Screamscape. Archived from the original on 20 December 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  7. ↑ "Hogwarts Express Speculation 6/21/12". Parkscope. Blogger. 21 June 2012. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  8. ↑ "Universal Orlando announces expansion of ‘Wizarding World of Harry Potter’". Fox 8. 8 May 2013. Archived from the original on 14 November 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  9. ↑ Thurston, Susan (8 May 2013). "Universal Studios to add Harry Potter Diagon Alley theme area". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on 28 February 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  10. 1 2 Bevil, Dewayne (9 July 2014). "Universal Studios: Where to find 'Jaws' references in Diagon Alley". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on 8 June 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  11. ↑ "New photos of Hogwarts Express train at Universal Orlando – Wizarding World expansion updatef". Orlando Attractions Magazine. Dream Together Media. 26 August 2013. Archived from the original on 2 July 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  12. ↑ "Hogwarts Express placed on tracks at Universal". WESH. 25 October 2013. Archived from the original on 28 February 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  13. ↑ Allison Walker; Scott Fais; Mike Westfall (9 July 2014). "Diagon Alley grand opening: Photos, tweets at Universal Orlando". News 13. Archived from the original on 4 April 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  14. ↑ Meredith, Michelle (23 January 2014). "Knockturn Alley, Escape from Gringotts announced in Universal Harry Potter expansion". WESH. Archived from the original on 29 May 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  15. ↑ Clay, Kevin (10 March 2014). "New details on Universal's Hogwarts Express to be announced". WESH. Archived from the original on 20 April 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  16. ↑ "Hogwarts Express begins testing at Universal Studios – Wizarding World: Diagon Alley update". Orlando Attractions Magazine. Dream Together Media. 3 December 2013. Archived from the original on 22 March 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  17. ↑ Becker, Kayla (14 March 2014). "New details on Hogwarts Express coming to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter". WESH. Archived from the original on 3 May 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  18. ↑ Dennis, Andrea (24 June 2014). "Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Diagon Alley at Universal set to open on July 8". WESH. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  19. ↑ Becker, Kayla (2 July 2014). "Some parkgoers get a chance to ride Hogwarts Express". WESH. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  20. ↑ Bevil, Dewayne (1 July 2014). "Universal Studios visitors get early Hogwarts Express ride". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on 16 July 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  21. ↑ Bevil, Dewayne (7 August 2014). "Universal Orlando marks 1 million riders on Hogwarts Express". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on 4 December 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
  22. 1 2 "Secret Harry Potter theme park train unveiled". Swiss Info (Swiss Broadcasting Corporation). 18 July 2014. Archived from the original (video) on 1 July 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
  23. ↑ "Theme Park Tickets". Universal Orlando. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  24. ↑ "All aboard the Hogwart's Express! Harry Potter theme park recreates train ride through English countryside...all without leaving the U.S.". Daily Mail. 16 March 2014. Archived from the original on 20 August 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2015. Riders will have two different experiences — one on the way to the new London-themed area at Universal Studios Park and another on the way to the original Wizarding World of Harry Potter area.
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 "Doppelmayr/Garaventa built the Hogwarts Express". Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH. 25 July 2014. Archived from the original on 18 July 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  26. 1 2 3 "Hogwarts Express Complete Experience (Hogsmeade To Diagon Alley) - Universal Orlando". YouTube. Theme Park Worldwide. 16 December 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  27. ↑ "Universal Studios Florida Park Map" (PDF). Universal Orlando Resort. 25 February 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 July 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  28. ↑ Veness, Simon (19 June 2014). "Inside Harry Potter's Diagon Alley, Universal Studios". The Telegraph (London). Archived from the original on 27 July 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015. a one-fourth scale replica of King’s Cross station
  29. ↑ "Hogwarts Express Complete Experience (Diagon Alley To Hogsmeade) - Universal Orlando". YouTube. Theme Park Worldwide. 16 December 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  30. 1 2 3 "Hogwarts Express Train Ride Full POV from Kings Cross Station to Hogsmeade at Universal Orlando". YouTube. 6 July 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  31. 1 2 3 Levine, Arthur (June 2014). "Hogwarts Express". About.com. Archived from the original on 11 June 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  32. ↑ "Construction Update: Wizarding World’s Hogwarts Express track and Diagon Alley expansion from above". Orlando Attraction Magazine. Dream Together Media. 18 May 2013. Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
  33. ↑ "168-FUL Hogwarts Express". Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH. Archived from the original on 18 July 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  34. ↑ Sehlinger, Bob; Jenkins, Robert (2013). Beyond Disney: The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando, SeaWorld & the Best of Central Florida. Unofficial Guides. p. 317. ISBN 9781628090109. Universal was somehow surprised by a survey that showed guests considered the Hogwarts Express an attraction rather than merely transportation connecting the two parks. ... the stations and track were already under construction and designed to handle only two cars carrying guests.
  35. ↑ Waddington, Bob (24 May 2014). "Universal Orlando Resort Diagon Alley Aerial Photos from 05/24/14". Pixels at the Park. Archived from the original on 6 August 2014. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  36. ↑ Geiger, Christophe (2013). Constructing European Intellectual Property: Achievements and New Perspectives. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing. p. 356. ISBN 1781001634. The design of GWR 4900 Class 5972 Olton Hall locomotive is highly functional, built for a specific purpose in 1937. The artistic need to make an authentic visual representation of J.K. Rowling's Hogwarts Express in the visionary world of Harry Potter has, however shifted this utilitarian product into a highly stylistic and lucrative merchandising world.
  37. ↑ "Funicular with a difference for Harry Potter fans". Internationale Seilbahn-Rundschau. 15 September 2014. Archived from the original on 12 July 2015. Retrieved 12 July 2015. a special aging process to achieve a realistic effect for a historical train.
  38. 1 2 3 Vieira, Meredith (30 June 2014). "Harry Potter: The Making of Diagon Alley". Specials. Peacock Productions. 10:00 & 24:00 minutes in. NBC. Retrieved 3 July 2015.
  39. ↑ Failes, Ian (29 March 2015). "Innovation and immersion: Escape from Gringotts". Fxguide. Archived from the original on 3 July 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015. Double Negative also contributed to the Hogwarts Express — a transporter that takes guests between the two theme parks of Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida at the Universal Orlando Resort. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter spans both parks. Guests on the Hogwarts Express have views showing them leaving London and arriving at Hogsmeade ... projected onto curved screens outside the train windows.
  40. ↑ Hart, Lance (25 June 2014). "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Part 3 - The Hogwarts Express". Screamscape. Archived from the original on 17 March 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2015.
  41. ↑ Niles, Robert (21 June 2014). "Ride Review: The Hogwarts Express at Universal Orlando Resort". Theme Park Insider. Archived from the original on 30 May 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2015.
  42. ↑ Pedicini, Sandra (3 June 2015). "Universal Orlando's visitation spikes, SeaWorld's plunges, report says". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on 3 June 2015. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
  43. ↑ "2014 Global Attractions Attendance Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2015. p. 31. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 12 July 2015.

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Coordinates: 28°28′36″N 81°28′14″W / 28.47655°N 81.47061°W / 28.47655; -81.47061 (Hogwarts Express)

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