Latest
issue
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Features   Products   Company profilesProfiles   Press releasesProfiles   Magazine   Handbook   Advertise    Subscribe  
NEWS
Exclusive: Universal poised to rollout Harry Potter Diagon Alley attraction globally
POSTED 12 Dec 2014 . BY Jak Phillips
One million guests rode the Hogwarts Express in the month after it opened in July 2014
After the runaway success of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction at Universal Orlando, the theme park operator plans to replicate the winning formula across its other sites, Attractions Management understands.

The groundbreaking attraction, reported to have cost around US$250m (€202m, £159m) to create, saw thousands of designers, artisans and engineers collaborate to faithfully recreate Diagon Alley as JK Rowling imagined it, complete with a 3D multi-sensory ride that takes passengers on a daring escape from Voldemort and co at the Gringotts wizarding bank.

The joint collaboration between Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros. Entertainment broke the mould to create the world’s first centrally-themed multi-park experience. This saw the construction of a replica Kings Cross train station – complete with platform 9 and ¾ – enabling guests to catch the Hogwarts Express train to hop between the new world and the Hogsmeade attraction at nearby Islands of Adventure. For Potter fans to use the train, a two-park ticket costing US$136 (€101, £81) is required.

Given the standout success of the attraction – one million guests rode the Hogwarts Express in its first month – it is unsurprising that Universal is eager to spread the concept across its parks and capitalise on the Potter-mania that evidently endures.

According to a high-placed source, Universal is looking at a similar concept for Universal Studios Hollywood, as well as its parks in Singapore and Osaka, Japan. The plan would work particularly well at Osaka – which earlier this year launched its own Wizarding World of Harry Potter featuring Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Castle – with the potential for an area similar to Diagon Alley and a Hogwarts Express to link the two attractions.

It is thought that the company is also mulling the presence of Harry Potter attractions at its forthcoming resorts in Beijing and Moscow.

Potter-related attractions have proved to be hugely successful for Universal. Wizarding World of Harry Potter 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 – also saw an increase – from 5.1 million to 7.1 million (according to most recent figures) – via sales of the multi-site Universal/Seaworld pass, showing how the Potter-effect has knocked on to the wider business.

A Universal spokesperson was unable to comment on the company’s expansion plans.
RELATED STORIES
MORE NEWS
Belgin Aksoy prepares to mark 15 years of Global Wellness Day on Saturday 13 June
Global Wellness Day (GWD) will mark its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities that spark joy.
HUM2N opens longevity clinic at Six Senses London
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider, HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
Mayrlife opens first hotel day clinic in partnership with Rosewood Vienna
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
KX Chelsea invests £15 million to upgrade its wellness offering
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining training, recovery and relaxation.
+ More news   

FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Spa Life – where spa leaders grow together
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]

Meet Desert Therapy: Aromatherapy Associates' first new blend in seven years
There is a particular quality of stillness found only in the desert. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Bellezi

Founded in 2009 as a Dutch family business, Bellezi brings more than 20 years of experience in treat [more...]
Balanced Body

Balanced Body is the global leader in Pilates equipment and education. Founded nearly 50 years ago, [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-12 Jun 2026

W3Spa EMEA

Hotel Cascais Miragem Health & Spa, Portugal
21-23 Jun 2026

Spa Life International (UK)

Midlands (Venue TBA), Liphook, United Kingdom
+ More diary  
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
SPA BUSINESS
SPA OPPORTUNITIES
SPA BUSINESS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Exclusive: Universal poised to rollout Harry Potter Diagon Alley attraction globally
POSTED 12 Dec 2014 . BY Jak Phillips
One million guests rode the Hogwarts Express in the month after it opened in July 2014
After the runaway success of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction at Universal Orlando, the theme park operator plans to replicate the winning formula across its other sites, Attractions Management understands.

The groundbreaking attraction, reported to have cost around US$250m (€202m, £159m) to create, saw thousands of designers, artisans and engineers collaborate to faithfully recreate Diagon Alley as JK Rowling imagined it, complete with a 3D multi-sensory ride that takes passengers on a daring escape from Voldemort and co at the Gringotts wizarding bank.

The joint collaboration between Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros. Entertainment broke the mould to create the world’s first centrally-themed multi-park experience. This saw the construction of a replica Kings Cross train station – complete with platform 9 and ¾ – enabling guests to catch the Hogwarts Express train to hop between the new world and the Hogsmeade attraction at nearby Islands of Adventure. For Potter fans to use the train, a two-park ticket costing US$136 (€101, £81) is required.

Given the standout success of the attraction – one million guests rode the Hogwarts Express in its first month – it is unsurprising that Universal is eager to spread the concept across its parks and capitalise on the Potter-mania that evidently endures.

According to a high-placed source, Universal is looking at a similar concept for Universal Studios Hollywood, as well as its parks in Singapore and Osaka, Japan. The plan would work particularly well at Osaka – which earlier this year launched its own Wizarding World of Harry Potter featuring Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Castle – with the potential for an area similar to Diagon Alley and a Hogwarts Express to link the two attractions.

It is thought that the company is also mulling the presence of Harry Potter attractions at its forthcoming resorts in Beijing and Moscow.

Potter-related attractions have proved to be hugely successful for Universal. Wizarding World of Harry Potter 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 – also saw an increase – from 5.1 million to 7.1 million (according to most recent figures) – via sales of the multi-site Universal/Seaworld pass, showing how the Potter-effect has knocked on to the wider business.

A Universal spokesperson was unable to comment on the company’s expansion plans.
RELATED STORIES
MORE NEWS
Belgin Aksoy prepares to mark 15 years of Global Wellness Day on Saturday 13 June
Global Wellness Day (GWD) will mark its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities that spark joy.
HUM2N opens longevity clinic at Six Senses London
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider, HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
Mayrlife opens first hotel day clinic in partnership with Rosewood Vienna
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
KX Chelsea invests £15 million to upgrade its wellness offering
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth offers ocean-themed yoga for Global Wellness Day
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Butterfly sanctuary to host hot yoga during retreat at Jersey Zoo for Hotel de France
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Spa Life – where spa leaders grow together
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]

Meet Desert Therapy: Aromatherapy Associates' first new blend in seven years
There is a particular quality of stillness found only in the desert. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Bellezi

Founded in 2009 as a Dutch family business, Bellezi brings more than 20 years of experience in treat [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-12 Jun 2026

W3Spa EMEA

Hotel Cascais Miragem Health & Spa, Portugal
21-23 Jun 2026

Spa Life International (UK)

Midlands (Venue TBA), Liphook, United Kingdom
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS