Stuart Craig, Production Designer of the Harry Potter film series, and members of Universal Creative discuss the new area in further detail, including the Hogwarts Express, the new ‘London area,’ and an all-new restaurant – the name of which you may be able to guess!
Universal confirms Leaky Cauldron restaurant at Diagon Alley, touts size of new land
During an event in which they primarily spoke about new food options coming to Universal Orlando Resort’s CityWalk, a few new details about The Wizarding World’s Diagon Alley emerged.
Mark Woodbury, President of Universal Creative, led the announcement but was joined by longtime Harry Potter set designer Stuart Craig and V.P. of Universal Creative Dale Mason. The three spoke about plans for Diagon Alley but held back from revealing many particulars.
The biggest announcement was the formal confirmation of The Leaky Cauldron restaurant. Said Craig, “It’s another great opportunity to walk from one space to another to experience the whole thing. We were able to put detail into the ceiling, encouraging people to look up.” Added Woodbury, “It’s a 360 degree experience.”
There was also mention of the Hogwarts Express train. Said Mason, “The journey from Kings Cross to Hogsmeade is where Harry met Ron and Hermione. You are going to step onto the platform. There will be that amazing, gleaming train. You can board it and take the journey to Hogsmeade.”
“When you get off at London, the first thing you’ll be able to do is walk through the incredible London set. And the level of detail – although the same depth of detail in Hogsmeade, it’s totally different – A mural mountain village [versus] an urban city.”
Said Craig, “The philosophy all the way through was just that the detail gave everything such credibility. Everything seems to be completely real, and the magic grows out of that.”
Finally, Mason offered one of the most tantalizing tidbits of all: “We’re building it so much bigger than anyone can imagine. There are more alleys, more shops – it’s huge.”
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