Universal's Hogwarts Express carries more than a million riders in first month
by Tom Anstey | 11 Aug 2014
The Hogwarts Express has cast a spell over visitors to both Universal Orlando and Universal Islands of Adventure / Flickr.com/Jeff Krause
It’s only been open for a month, but since the attraction launched on 8 July more than one million people have taken a trip on Universal Orlando’s Hogwarts Express – a train ride which travels between Universal Orlando and Universal Islands of Adventure.
The Hogwarts Express – modelled after the train that took Harry Potter and his friends to school in the series of books by JK Rowling – connects the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction at Universal Orlando to the original Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction, called Hogsmeade, at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
Potter-related attractions have proved to be hugely successful for Universal. Wizarding World of Harry Potter – developed under licence for Universal parks in the US and Asia – has doubled attendances at Universal's Islands of Adventure, from 4.2m at opening in 2009 to 8.1m in 2013.
Numbers for Universal Studios, Florida – have also seen an increase – from 5.1 million to 7.1 million – via sales of the multi-site Universal/Seaworld pass, showing how the Potter-effect has knocked on to the wider business.
For Potter fans to use the train, a two-park ticket costing US$136 (€101, £81) is required.
It’s been a busy month for Harry Potter in the attractions sector, with another recent launch including a Wizarding World in Osaka, Japan, arriving to popular acclaim from fans of the brand.
18 Jul 2014
US$500m Harry Potter attraction casts spell over Osaka, Japan
09 Jul 2014
Universal Orlando's new Harry Potter attraction draws thousands on opening day
01 Jun 2014
Warner Bros may develop Harry Potter spin-off
It’s only been open for a month, but since the attraction launched on 8 July more than one million people have taken a trip on Universal Orlando’s Hogwarts Express – a train ride which travels between Universal Orlando and Universal Islands of Adventure. The Hogwarts Express – modelled after the train that took Harry Potter and his friends to school in the series of books by JK Rowling – connects
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