People will now able to immerse themselves in Harry Potter on a whole new level.
Tuesday marked the opening of the newest Harry Potter themed section of Universal Studios, Orlando — Diagon Alley. Included in the world are new rides, detailed architecture and hidden surprises.
Orange Park resident Carrie McLaren is the family insider reporter for Visit Florida. She was able to attend a media preview and said it is truly like stepping into the books.
“It’s extremely life-like and overwhelmingly awesome,” McLaren said. “It’s fun to see people’s faces when they see it for the first time.”
New rides include a 3D experience with spins and tilts called "Escape from Gringotts," and a Hogwarts Express train that shuttles passengers between the new Diagon Alley land in Universal, and the existing Wizarding World known as Hogsmeade, which is a part of the park's Islands of Adventure.
McLaren said the ride feels like a real train.
“The window looking out of your train car is actually a video wall, so from there you kind of see yourself traveling from say London to Hogsmeade,” McLaren said.
“You see the countryside as you’re going through the land back and forth, you see the characters flying by, you can even hear them walking up and down the aisles outside your closed car door. It’s just a fascinating way to travel between the two worlds and feel like you are in the middle of that story. “
Guests can also dine on fish and chips in the legendary Leaky Cauldron Pub and indulge in enchanting new drinks with names like fishy green ale and tongue-tying lemon squash, only offered in Diagon Alley.
McLaren said the best part is all the intricate details, including interactive wands that are specially picked for you by a wizard.
“I could take it and wander through Diagon Alley and find medallions throughout the area with magic words and a hand motion to do with the wand and things happened," McLaren said. “One of my favorites was an umbrella that was hanging from above, and if you stood underneath it, said the magic words and moved your wand just right, the umbrella would start raining on you. “
McLaren said visitors will need a park-to-park pass to ride the new train and experience all of Harry Potter in Orlando.
You can follow Lindsey Kilbride on Twitter@LindsKilbride
