Harry Potter Ride Opening Date At Universal Studios’ Diagon Alley Likely This Summer

The new Harry Potter ride opening up at Universal Studios’ Diagon Alley has not yet been given an official opening date. However, a recent deal being offered to Florida residents gives us a hint on when it may be open to general audiences.

In a related report by The Inquisitr, the new Disney World ride at Fantasyland allows families to ride a roller coaster based upon the theme of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

The new Harry Potter ride will be located within Universal Orlando’s second theme park, Universal Studios, and it will showcase numerous Harry Potter settings that includes London’s Kings Cross station, Knockturn Alley, and Diagon Alley. There will be multiple shop and eateries based upon Harry Potter, including the Leaky Cauldron, Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour, and Horizont Alley.

The original Hogsmeade area will be connected via a full-scale train based upon the Hogswart Express that can billow smoke. Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative, says the Hogswart Express is not simply a transportation system:

“The train itself is a ride experience as well as a transportation experience. When riders board at London’s Kings Cross station, they’ll actually pass through the fictional brick wall at Platform 9¾. You’ll be able to see the folks in front of you pass through the wall.”

Of course, what everyone will be waiting in line for is the new ride “Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts,” which has a giant 60-foot dragon perched on top of the Gringotts bank run by goblins. The ride itself will use mine carts, feature a visit into the underground vaults, and even have a confrontation with Lord Voldemort where he uses the Avada Kedavra killing curse on guests.

So at this point you’re probably wanting to know the Harry Potter’s ride opening date. Again, nothing is official except that Universal is now offering a deal to Florida residents that will allow special access to the park expansion beginning June 29:

“From June 29-Aug. 2, the deal starts at $139 per adult per night including tax for a three-night stay at Universal’s newest hotel, the Cabana Bay Beach Resort. The price drops to $119 for Aug. 17-Oct. 2. You can upgrade to stay at either Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel or Loews Portofino Bay Hotel for as low as $155 a night or stay at one of Universal’s off-site partner hotels for as low as $105 a night.”

Will you make the trip to Universal Studios just to see the new Harry Potter ride in Diagon Alley?