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Is Universal getting rid of Harry Potter?

Universal Orlando has announced the closure of one of its most popular attractions next month, disappointing Harry Potter fans of all ages.



No, Universal is absolutely not getting rid of Harry Potter; in fact, the franchise is expanding significantly in 2026. With the grand opening of Universal Epic Universe in Orlando, a third Harry Potter-themed land has debuted: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. This new land is themed after 1920s Paris from the Fantastic Beasts films and the British Ministry of Magic from the original series. It features a groundbreaking new attraction, Battle at the Ministry, which uses cutting-edge ride technology to take guests through the corridors of the wizarding government. Far from retiring the brand, Universal has doubled down on its "Potter" investment, introducing new year-round treats like Butterbeer Crème Brûlée and expanding character interactions. The original Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley lands also continue to receive regular maintenance and updates, confirming that the Boy Who Lived remains the cornerstone of Universal's global theme park strategy.

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It's a beautiful way to end your day at Universal's Islands of Adventure. The attraction closed to “make way for future show enhancements,” according to Inside the Magic. No word on what these future show enhancements will be, but its sure to be awe inspiring when the attraction rereleases.

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Previous Universal Harry Potter attractions A Harry Potter themed attraction at a Universal Studios park or a Disney park was rumored in 2003. However, the rights to the Harry Potter franchise had been acquired by Warner Bros., which denied all rumors.

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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened at Universal Studios Hollywood on April 7, 2016, Replacing The Adventures of Curious George which closed on September 6, 2013.

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The big beast left the park in 2012 to make room for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.

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Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a motion-based dark ride located in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-themed areas of Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida; Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City, California; Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, Japan; and Universal Studios Beijing in Beijing, China.

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Although Disney would try to correct this mistake by trying to buy the movie rights, theme park privileges and even Scholastic themselves, efforts by the company ultimately failed, citing creative clashes with Harry Potter's controversial creator J.K. Rowling, along with the deals made with Warner Bros. Pictures.

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This rollercoaster ride within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter sent you twisting and looping across the sky as you rode aboard one of two dragons—an aggressive Chinese Fireball or a ferocious Hungarian Horntail. Dragon Challenge closed in 2017 to make way for Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.

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“The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle” at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade in Universal's Islands of Adventure will close for an extended refurbishment for “future show enhancements.” Its last performance, for the time being, will be tonight, May 9.

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You can only access this attraction if you have a park-to-park ticket, though! In my opinion, you can absolutely fit everything you want to do in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in one day, even without Express Passes. You just need to be strategic about your itinerary!

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Now J. K. Rowling is richer than the Queen, according to the Sunday Times Rich List. The creator of Harry Potter, who wrote her first children's book in an Edinburgh cafe while her baby daughter slept beside her, is now worth £280 million - a figure which puts her 11 places higher than the monarch.

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Best Attractions at Universal Harry Potter Right off the bat, Islands of Adventure has an advantage because it has 4 rides instead of just 2. Plus, while I'd say the experience is better coming from Diagon Alley, you can ride The Hogwarts Express on either side.

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The theme parks are very good at keeping tabs on the numbers of guests and when those numbers are high or low. Universal has chosen to close early during off season; if they didn't they would be out of business because their expenses would exceed their income in off peak months.

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How Much Do Wands Cost at Universal Orlando? In addition to the style and functionality differences, there's also a slight difference in price between the two wands types. As we stated above, the interactive wands are $63 (plus tax), and the traditional (non-interactive) wands are $55 (plus tax).

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It's obviously a very well made ride, but DON'T go on it if you suffer motion sickness or are at all anxious. I felt very sick and disorientated a minute or so in, which wasn't helped by the ride suddenly stopping and rendering us stuck for a few minutes.

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