Category:The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade is an area of Islands of Adventure. It is a half of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter experience at Universal Orlando Resort, and the first phase to be constructed. The area opened in 2010, and replaced a portion of The Lost Continent area of the park. It is the first new area to be constructed in Islands of Adventure, and is based on the Harry Potter book and film franchise by J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. Entertainment.

History
In 2007, Universal Parks and Resorts announced plans to bring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Universal Orlando Resort. The area would be constructed in the Islands of Adventure park, and feature replicas of the Hogsmeade village, and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, with the latter being the setting of a new indoor thrill ride. The area opened on June 18, 2010, and was a huge success for Universal, prompting them to port the area at numerous parks, including Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Japan.

In 2014, an expansion of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened with an area themed to Diagon Alley at next-door park Universal Studios Florida. This expansion also included a Hogwarts Express attraction that transported guests between both parks, using projection screens and sound to simulate the characters of the Harry Potter universe being on board or outside of the train.

In 2017, the Dragon Challenge coaster was closed and demolished. A new coaster is currently under construction in its place, and is set to open in 2019.

Background
The area is based primarily on Hogsmeade, a small village outside of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for older students to spend their spare time. As such, many shops and restaurants are located in this area. In addition, the attractions in this area, with the exception of the flagship attraction Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, are based primarily on a specific entry in the book or film series. For instance, Flight of the Hippogriff is based primarily on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, while the former Dragon Challenge coaster is based on Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Trivia

 * An Ollivander's shop is featured in Hogsmeade, even though a Hogsmeade location of the shop doesn't exist in either the books or the films.All attractions, characters, gift shops, restaurants, either currently or formerly located in this area of Islands of Adventure.