Universal starts promo campaign for new Harry Potter coaster

October 1, 2018, 2:43 PM · The hype train is now boarding at Hogwarts station.

The Universal Orlando Resort, Warner Bros. and JK Rowling have kicked off the promotional campaign for the upcoming Harry Potter "coaster experience" now under construction at Universal's Islands of Adventure. Replacing the Dragon Challenge roller coasters in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade, this as-yet-unnamed new attraction appears to be an Intamin coaster with multiple indoor elements, including a drop track.

Themed to a ride through the Forbidden Forest, the new key art that Universal released today on the Pottermore website includes a glimpse at what should be the ride's iconic primary show building.

Promo art

Look to the left, underneath Hogwarts Castle for the coaster building. You can see its current state in a construction photo submitted by reader Matt McDonough.

Potter coaster construction photo

"Stay tuned for more information on this mysterious new attraction, which will be unveiled in early 2019," the Pottermore post teased. "Meet you in the queue?"

Replies (9)

October 1, 2018 at 4:36 PM

It will be better than either Big Thunder Mountain or Dwarf Mine Train.

October 1, 2018 at 4:46 PM

Are there really a lot of pine trees in Orlando?

Actually sounds really promising! Revenge of the Ravenclaws!!!

October 1, 2018 at 5:42 PM

Well, now that this guy is gone from Universal Orlando, the pines of Central Florida can thrive again.

Too soon?

October 1, 2018 at 7:59 PM

We do actually have a lot of native pines, but none that look like those in the rendering .... LOL.
At least they are native unlike the non-native palm trees that are everywhere. Bring back dueling dragons ... all is forgiven.

October 1, 2018 at 8:09 PM

The show elements might raise it up from a standard coaster, but an exposed steel track is still just a coaster, so I don't see how it would be better than Big Thunder, where the track is actually part of the landscape.

October 2, 2018 at 2:27 AM

You mean exposed steel like Slinky and Everest?

October 2, 2018 at 6:28 AM

Anything … and I mean ANYTHING … will be an improvement over Orlando's silliest, "so bad you have to see it to believe it is that bad" attraction, The Fast and The Furious.

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October 2, 2018 at 2:08 PM

This is a strange way of advertising this ride. We've had highly immersive experiences in the wizarding world; fj- you ride magical flying benches around Hogwarts, gringotts- you ride a gringotts- cart, kings cross station- the Hogwarts express and this... you ride a rollercoaster in a foresr- or this is what it looks like to the gp. In fact won't the gp just view this as a rollercoaster being replaced by another rollercoaster. I'm looking forward to this but hope that this wont be a wizarding flop!

October 5, 2018 at 12:15 PM

Looking forward to it. Love Harry Potter Park at Universal!

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