The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade (Orlando): Part 2

[Mike S]

Good stuff. Definitely some pretty rough parts of the ride currently (floo screen, finale screens). Not sure if there’s anything else they can do with the dome screens, but they could stand to be a bit brighter and sharper.

They could start by switching back to the old animations the ride opened with rather than the new ones that were created for the 3D version that we didn’t even get.

 

[boomerthom]

They could start by switching back to the old animations the ride opened with rather than the new ones that were created for the 3D version that we didn’t even get.

Oh yeah, that dragon close up in the first dome is really goofy looking.

 

[greendude33]

They could start by switching back to the old animations the ride opened with rather than the new ones that were created for the 3D version that we didn’t even get.

Yes please! I miss the brick floo effect - was so cool and made so much more sense compared to the weird green glowing effect.

Wonder if there’s any chance these screens get replaced with LED screens/domes to match the tech in Monsters, somewhere way down the line. Like the 4K upgrade for Spider Man.

 

[soma27]

Needed to be done, but personally could not be a worse time. Taking my son as his reward for finally finishing all seven books - of course during that exact timeframe. Has been asking to go for three years, but we needed our youngest to be tall enough.

 

[Ron101]

Crazy how this is no longer the headliner e-ticket attraction at the resort. Seems management finally figured they can now shut it entirely down for a real refurbishment lol.

 

[illumination]

Yes please! I miss the brick floo effect - was so cool and made so much more sense compared to the weird green glowing effect.

Wonder if there’s any chance these screens get replaced with LED screens/domes to match the tech in Monsters, somewhere way down the line. Like the 4K upgrade for Spider Man.

Yes totally agree it would be incredible to have the domes be converted to OLED screens or something. They need to be very crisp without being too bright, as the ambient light would ruin the rest of the ride scenes.

 

[saint.piss]

 

[Mike S]

I feel old.

 

[GAcoaster]

I just marvel over how this saved the theme park division from Blackstone and being bled by private equity. It set off a seismic shift in the Orlando theme parks and started the investment spree that culminated with Epic Universe.

Thank God all those people showed up!

 

[Skipper Justin]

Saw a couple of TikTok’s that a tree outside the greenhouse part of the queue was hit by lightning and caught on fire.

 

[Ron101]

New queue effects?

 

[DOOMBOT]

Cleared within 30 minutes and no injuries. Still really crazy to see!

 

[sparky]

I just marvel over how this saved the theme park division from Blackstone and being bled by private equity. It set off a seismic shift in the Orlando theme parks and started the investment spree that culminated with Epic Universe.

Thank God all those people showed up!

And still keep showing up. I saw a girl around 10yo walking around walmart with her nose pressed into a harry potter book. Such a cute sight, her shuffling along behind her parents completely engrossed in the book.

 

[soma27]

Universal Orlando has scheduled Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at Islands of Adventure for refurbishment in November 2025.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey refurbishment set for November 2025 at Islands of Adventure

UPDATE: August 28, 2025 The dates for the refurbishment have changed, now taking place from November 10, 2025, until November 20, 2025. Original story below Universal Orlando has scheduled Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at Islands of Adventure for refurbishment in November 2025.

www.insideuniversal.net

I think this is the longest closure since it's opening?

FYI - looks like the dates have been updated on Universal’s site. It now shows a closure from Nov 10-20.

Really hoping this is true, as we go right during the original closure dates - this would put us in the clear.

It also lists Hogwart Nights as closing during the same time.

 

[sparky]

FYI - looks like the dates have been updated on Universal’s site. It now shows a closure from Nov 10-20.

Really hoping this is true, as we go right during the original closure dates - this would put us in the clear.

It also lists Hogwart Nights as closing during the same time.

Our visit is in December. My first christmas time visit to universal. Excited, and happy to see my favorite ride will be freshly refurbed. Do they do holiday lights at the castle still?

 

[derekvb]

I am interested in getting the Hog's Head souvenir Mug, but I don't drink alcohol. Is it possible to buy the mug with Butterbeer instead? I already have a Butterbeer mug.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Random Question - Would a re-design/major refurb qualify as a new Potter attraction and allow Uni to extend its licensing agreement? Ride is not in great shape, showing its age, and now lacking compared to Monsters Unchained.

Would love to see them go back to the drawing board and improve some stuff... or at the very least get effects working again.

 

[Alicia]

Random Question - Would a re-design/major refurb qualify as a new Potter attraction and allow Uni to extend its licensing agreement? Ride is not in great shape, showing its age, and now lacking compared to Monsters Unchained.

Would love to see them go back to the drawing board and improve some stuff... or at the very least get effects working again.

There’s nothing in the contract that states the license must be be renewed just because they’re adding more or improving Potter attractions -BUT- as business practice, it would be unwise of WB to cancel any of their contracts while Universal is showing they’re willing to continue to make investment in the property THEREFORE it’s in Universal’s best interest to continue to invest to ensure they’re looked upon favorably every time a renewal period is up, which for the older lands like Hogsmeade is every few years now.

Nothing contractual about it, but helps ensure security.

Also worth noting that each land after Diagon is technically governed by its own licensing agreement, so WB could theoretically cancel a contract for one area when renewal is up if they choose to do so, while keeping the other areas’ contracts in place.

 

[Andysol]

There’s nothing in the contract that states the license must be be renewed just because they’re adding more or improving Potter attractions -BUT- as business practice, it would be unwise of WB to cancel any of their contracts while Universal is showing they’re willing to continue to make investment in the property THEREFORE it’s in Universal’s best interest to continue to invest to ensure they’re looked upon favorably every time a renewal period is up, which for the older lands like Hogsmeade is every few years now.

Nothing contractual about it, but helps ensure security.

Also worth noting that each land after Diagon is technically governed by its own licensing agreement, so WB could theoretically cancel a contract for one area when renewal is up if they choose to do so, while keeping the other areas’ contracts in place.

What happens to the lands and attractions if they were to theoretically cancel the contract?

 

[Jake S]

What happens to the lands and attractions if they were to theoretically cancel the contract?

“welcome to our new land, lost continent!”