The Wizarding World of Harry Potter first debuted in Universal Orlando’s Resort in June of 2010. The Harry Porter World consists of two major rides, stores, a restaurant and pub. On Thursday afternoon Universal stated that this upcoming summer the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be expanding into both parks in Universal Resort. The estimated cost of this new expansion is about $400 million dollars and is expected to be ready summer 2014.
Today, the Harry Potter world is located in Universal’s Islands of Adventure, where as this new expansion area will be located in Universal Studios. This new area will be called Diagon Alley as in the books by J.K Rowling , and will be built where the former ride Jaws use to be. “We’ll bring even more Harry Potter adventures to life,” said Universal Creative president Mark Woodbury, who promised “a whole new level of storytelling.”
Since this new expansion will take between both parks, visitors will have to purchase two-park tickets in order to enjoy both sides of the Harry Potter World. Universal will be adding “The Hogwarts Express” train that will connect Universal’s two separate parks, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. The train will be available for visitors with tickets to both parks.
Among other new shops in Diagon Alley:
-Borgin and Burke’s, a shop devoted to “Dark Arts” that sells masks, skulls and other “sinister items.”
-Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions, where park visitors can buy Hogwarts school uniform ties, scarves and jumpers, to authentic wizard’s robes and character costumes.
-Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, where folks can buy telescopes, binoculars, armillary spheres, compasses, magnifying glasses and hourglasses.
-Quality Quidditch Supplies, for Quidditch sweaters, brooms, Golden Snitches, Bludgers, Bludger bats and Quaffles — all items used to play the game featured in the book and movie.
-Scribbulus, which will sell feather quills, ink and inkwells, bookmarks, journals, parchment paper, seals, stationery sets and postcards.
Click the video below for a 3-D Tour of the upcoming expansion.