Skip to main content

Venue Review: King’s Cross Station & The Hogwarts Express

The Hogwarts Express Universal Orlando

What is Universal's King’s Cross Station & The Hogwarts Express

Revised 4/2021

Dear Polite Traveler,

Channeling the excitement Harry must have had for his first ride on the Hogwarts Express – and finding platform 9 ¾ – I nearly ran through a wonderfully replicated King’s Cross Station to get to said train.  Totally unnecessary, but I couldn’t help it.  I am an old lady who still thinks she is a kid.

Note: Follow CDC and Park guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.   

Billboard inside King’s Cross Station Universal Orlando

Let’s Make a Little Magic

Attention to detail is on overload at King’s Cross, right down to the perfume ad Harry and Dumbledore stood in front of near the beginning of the movie Half-Blood Prince.  Slow down and try to appreciate the setting.  Gaze at the brick walls.  Appreciate the ubiquitous musician at the front of the station—very typical at the actual King’s Cross in London. 

Platform 9 ¾

Once up a flight of stairs, you’ll find an area that appears to be storage for luggage.  Check out my video showing people pass through the wall between platform 9 and 10.  Notice my hubby’s confusion about walking through a narrow walkway, which is what it is.  From my angle, it appears that all those around him – and ultimately, he too – walk through a wall.   Lovely sleight of hand.

The Train Arrives and The Fun Begins

Pass through the wall/hallway and onto platform 9 ¾ to find a perfect replicate of the Hogwarts Express.  Once inside the train and into your compartment, settle in for a short journey into the magical world of Harry Potter.   Notice the bench seats, upholstery, and luggage racks.  Of course, all is on a much smaller scale than the movies, but still... .  

Rebecca on the Hogwarts Express Universal Orlando

Once the train begins to move, it appears as if we are leaving London and traveling through the countryside due to a video playing on the “window”.   Characters from the movies appear to add to the experience.  

Beware the dementors at the door!  Watch the door windows as well.  I found myself whipping my head back and forth trying to catch each little gem.  At one point, Harry stopped a dementor in the train hallway and was awarded a free box of chocolate frogs which escaped, each jumping across our door’s window.  

Tips

Essentially, the train is a vehicle to transport guests from Diagon Alley in the Universal Studios Florida Park to Hogsmeade in The Islands of Adventure Park.  So, you’ll need a park-to-park pass.

Ride very early, during mealtimes or later in the evening to avoid crowds.

Take a return trip from Hogsmeade to Diagon Alley.  The story is completely different.  In my opinion, the return trip story is more exciting. 

What is your experience?

Please Read

Exploring Diagon Alley Universal Orlando

Theme Park: Universal Orlando The Forbidden Journey

Restaurant Reviews: Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Diagon Alley  

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hotel Review: Comfort Inn Downtown Morro Bay, CA

Old, Needs Update, but Perfectly Located Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, I’ve always wanted to visit our central coast, an ocean town known for its big rock.  Staying in a hotel one block from the coast...dreamy.  The Comfort Inn Downtown is central to just about everything and overlooks a majestic bay with, yes, a huge rock.  This hotel is adequate, and the staff is accommodating .  Most importantly, it is inexpensive for this area, especially considering the view.  Note : Follow CDC and county guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.   Also, during the pandemic, some amenities may not be available.  Please remember, this is only temporary. The Positives Proximity to the shore, the wharf, and Morro Rock Fitness center/gym equipped with up-to-date machine Guest laundry Free hot breakfast: limited Free WIFI Free on-site parking Interior corridors—excellent for cold weather C...
Post a Comment
Read more

Pluses & Minuses of The Hyatt House Vacaville

Beautiful But Needs Adjustments to its Accessible Rooms My Dear Polite Travelers I recently read about a new Hyatt House and since I needed a short brain-tidy-vaca near my home base in Davis, CA, I ventured twenty miles west to the sprawling city of Vacaville, the shopping mecca of our general area.  The Lobby/Bar/Restaurant Walking into the lobby, I noted calming tones, striking art, décor, and welcoming faces.  The registration staff was delightful and efficient.  The attractive bar and eating area are tastefully decorated and have ample seating areas. In fact, the entire area was so lovely that I brought many of those decorating ideas home with me.  The restaurant’s menu was limited and similar to what is typically found at bars: hamburgers, pizzas… etc.  I ordered a hamburger which was delivered overcooked.  Grr… Accessible Room 133 First off, this is a gorgeous room filled with outstanding artwork.  It includes a kitchenette, small ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Look Closer at the Hilton Garden Inn, Waikiki

  Why We Might Not Return: Hilton Garden Inn, Waikiki My dear polite travelers, Imagine waiting three years to revisit a pleasant memory.  You’d probably be thrilled to be on that journey.  Right?  Well, I am, and ...well, I’m lukewarm to some aspects of it, especially our room: #1537.  But the Ocean is Right There! In our room, #1537, we have the ocean view and the fresh breezes associated with it.  Still, due to the central, otherwise excellent location, it’s noisy—very noisy.  Thus, those breezes remain outside all night.  Darn.  The pleasant sweet-ocean-air-in-our-room-memory I dream of often eluded us on this trip.  Now, it’s just sad. The Good & the Weird Beyond the noise, it is a comfortable room—especially the shower—but there’s not enough counter space.  Instead of a long counter or desk, the hotel designer thought a long built-in seat would be a clever idea??  Hint.  It’s not.  We can only ...
Post a Comment
Read more