Harry Potter expansion (Universal Orlando)
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Escape from Gringotts ride POV:


Escape from Gringotts queue walkthrough:

June 30, 2014: Universal Orlando allowed the first paying customers into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Diagon Alley on Monday afternoon.

Hundreds of visitors who had purchased a Potter-oriented hotel package offered by the theme park were given early access to the Universal Studios attraction, which will officially open to the public July 8.

Source:
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2014-06-30/business/os-diagon-alley-hotel-guests-20140630_1_universal-studios-japan-leaky-cauldron-restaurant-wizarding-world

Is the Escape from Gringotts coaster still malfunctioning, or is it working now?

Press preview videos:

Diagon Alley scenery:


Dragon breathing fire:


Hogwarts Express ride:


Universal Creative guys talking about it:

The new Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley has just one ride, a 3-D thriller called Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts (which coincidentally wasn't working Thursday during a media preview). The first Harry Potter park had three rides. But Diagon Alley has seven shops, all so visually stimulating that you almost don't notice you're shopping.

Source:
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/travel/263850261.html

Diagon Alley opening date is set for July 8.

June 12, 2014:
Mystery surrounds opening date of Universal's Harry Potter attraction

Here's one for the Harry Potter books' Department of Mysteries: When will Diagon Alley open?

Many hints point to an opening sometime this month for the expansion of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. Construction walls came down Monday, and media previews are planned for next week. As of Thursday, though, Universal still had not announced an opening date.

Sources:
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2014-06-12/business/os-harry-potter-opening-date-20140612_1_universal-studios-japan-universal-orlando-wizarding-world
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/lifestyle/Inside-Hollywoods-Theme-Park-Mania-Fox-DreamWorks-Animation-Plot-New-Parks.html

Aside from the fact that the Diagon Alley addition brings with it a huge, real-life version of the goblin-run Gringotts Bank, there’ll be actual Wizarding Bank Notes. These you can obtain by exchanging real money at the bank, if you’re brave enough to request them of the goblin tellers. These notes are legal tender within Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, and can be used for purchasing snacks and souvenirs from the shops.

Source:
http://www.jaunted.com/story/2014/6/4/14223/91449/travel/The+Most+Mindblowing+Teasers+of+What's+Coming+to+Diagon+Alley+at+The+Wizarding+World+of+Harry+Potter

Universal is creating a cash cow for itself, literally.

Great article about upcoming Diagon Alley street entertainment:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-blog/os-universal-harry-potter-diagon-alley-entertainment-20140604,0,5304737.post

The Vision of Diagon Alley: