Hogwarts Express
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Overview
Hogwarts Express is both an attraction and a genuinely useful way of travelling between the two original Wizarding World lands at Universal Orlando.
One direction runs from King’s Cross Station in the London area of Universal Studios Florida to Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure. The return journey takes you from Hogsmeade Station back to King’s Cross.
You need valid Park-to-Park admission to ride, because you physically leave one theme park and arrive inside the other.
The train itself is a full-size Hogwarts Express with enclosed passenger compartments. Rather than looking out of a normal window, the window acts as a screen showing the journey outside while another projection on the compartment door shows shadows and characters passing through the corridor.
The two directions are not identical. Different characters, scenery and story moments appear depending on which way you travel, so it is worth riding in both directions if you want the complete experience.
Queue Details
King’s Cross Station – London to Hogsmeade
The King’s Cross queue begins indoors in the London area of Universal Studios Florida and is the more elaborate of the two station experiences.
You pass through a recreation of King’s Cross before making your way towards Platform 9¾, including the famous illusion where guests ahead of you appear to pass through the brick wall between Platforms 9 and 10.
Most of the route is fairly flat and indoors, although there are stairs as you make your way up through the station. An elevator provides a step-free route.
The elevator can become busy, particularly when several guests need step-free access at the same time, so you may need to wait before continuing.
Using the elevator does not mean missing the Platform 9¾ effect. Once you reach the upper level, the accessible route rejoins the main experience before you pass through the wall illusion.
Wheelchair and ECV users can remain in their mobility device through the queue.
Hogsmeade Station – Hogsmeade to London
The Hogsmeade queue begins outdoors and includes some noticeably steep uphill sections followed by downhill sections before moving indoors.
Once inside, the route becomes flatter as you make your way towards the platform.
You eventually reach a staircase, with an elevator available to the right for guests who need a step-free route.
Hogsmeade Station is less elaborate than King’s Cross and does not include the Platform 9¾ illusion.
At both stations, Park-to-Park admission is checked because the train takes you directly into the other theme park.
Leaving the stations
At Hogsmeade Station, the normal exit includes stairs. An elevator is available near the top of the entrance staircase for a step-free route.
At King’s Cross, the normal exit also uses stairs, with an elevator available to the right.
Transfer Info
No transfer is required for guests using a compatible wheelchair.
Wheelchair users can remain seated in their own wheelchair and board the Hogwarts Express in an accessible passenger compartment.
When the accessible compartment is prepared, the right-hand side of the carriage wall opens completely, creating a wide opening for the wheelchair to move directly into position.
Once the wheelchair is inside, the wall closes again before departure.
The compartment normally accommodates up to eight guests. When a wheelchair is using the accessible position, capacity is reduced to approximately six people.
The train is stationary while boarding, so there is no moving walkway or moving ride vehicle to negotiate.
Your wheelchair remains with you throughout the journey and you leave the train at the opposite station in the same mobility device.
Wheelchair and ECV users can remain in their mobility device through the station queues. If you are using a particularly large powered device, speak to a Team Member before boarding so they can confirm how it will be accommodated.
Sensory Experience
Hogwarts Express is physically very gentle. The train moves smoothly and there are no drops, spinning, restraint systems or sudden ride-style movements.
The more noticeable sensory elements happen inside the passenger compartment.
Each compartment is enclosed and relatively small, with sliding doors separating it from the corridor. Once the journey starts, you remain inside until you reach the opposite station.
The normal window is replaced by a large screen showing the journey outside. Scenery moves past continuously and includes characters and events from the Harry Potter stories.
At the same time, the frosted glass beside the compartment door is used for projected shadows and silhouettes. Characters and creatures appear to walk along the corridor outside, sometimes stopping directly beside your compartment.
There are periods of low lighting and darkness during the journey, together with sudden sound effects and character voices.
Some story moments are deliberately unexpected, including creatures or characters appearing close to the train and changes in lighting or sound.
There are no 3D glasses and the train doesn’t use the strong motion-simulation movements found on attractions such as Forbidden Journey or Gringotts.
Practical Tips
You need Park-to-Park admission to ride. A standard one-park ticket won’t let you use Hogwarts Express even if you only want to ride it and come straight back.
Ride it in both directions if you can. London to Hogsmeade and Hogsmeade to London use different scenes, so the return journey isn’t simply the same experience played backwards.
If you want to see the Platform 9¾ illusion, ride from King’s Cross towards Hogsmeade. Guests using the elevator still rejoin the route in time to experience it.
The elevators at both stations can become busy, so allow some extra time if you need step-free access, particularly at busier periods.
If you’re travelling with luggage, bags or mobility equipment, remember that this is actual park-to-park transport. You will emerge inside the other theme park rather than returning to where you started.
The compartments are enclosed and shared with other guests, so if confined spaces or being seated closely with unfamiliar people is uncomfortable, it’s worth knowing before boarding.
Express Pass is accepted at both stations.
After a day of transferring out of wheelchairs, climbing into ride vehicles and negotiating moving walkways, there is something rather lovely about an attraction whose accessibility solution is simply: open the side of the train and enjoy the journey.
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