As promised, the Universal Orlando blog was updated this morning with new details on Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts! A description of the ride is as follows, there’s even a video preview (with Alan Gilmore, Thierry Coup, Mark Woodbury, Warwick Davis, and Rupert Grint discussing the ride:

And at the far end of Diagon Alley is Gringotts bank, with a larger-than-life dragon towering over it that breathes real fire. The bank is home to the signature attraction, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.

In “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2,” there’s a pivotal scene where Harry, Ron and Hermione break into Gringotts bank to steal a powerful Horcrux that (spoiler alert!) will help them defeat Lord Voldemort. On Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, you’ll encounter the trio during this quest – but expect to meet some dangerous creatures and malicious villains as well!

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts has everything you could possibly imagine and more – it’s a mind-blowing next generation thrill ride through the Gringotts vaults. It combines 4K high-definition ride animation and 3-D technology with live special effects to propel you into the action of the Harry Potter books and films.

For a sneak peek at the action, check out this video featuring some of the creative minds that are bringing this attraction to life. We’ve also captured some photos inside Gringotts bank and taken screen grabs from the HD ride animation to give you a first look.

Get ready for the ride of your life.

More details were revealed in a press release:

During an action-packed, fully-immersive journey on Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, you will:

• Marvel at the 60-foot, fire-breathing Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon atop Gringotts Wizarding Bank
• Tour Gringotts bank and pass through the marble hall where you’ll see goblins hard at work
• Race through a labyrinth of underground Gringotts vaults
• Encounter the villainous Death Eater, Bellatrix Lestrange, as she attempts to send you to your doom
• Come face to face with He Who Must Not Be Named
• Experience even more mind-blowing moments

The multi-dimensional, multi-sensory attraction, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, will revolutionize theme park entertainment. This next generation thrill ride seamlessly integrates a compilation of the most innovative technology ever created, 360-degree themed sets, 4K digital high-definition animation, state-of-the-art 3-D Infitec projection systems and live special effects with beloved characters and breathtaking moments from the Harry Potter books and films.

“Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts will change the way you think about theme park attractions,” said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative. “We’ve created an entirely new type of ride that propels guests into the story like never before, and guests will remember it long after their visit to Diagon Alley.”

Universal Orlando Resort has started up a blog where they will keep fans updated on the goings on at the theme parks. Today they revealed that they will be sharing new details on Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts on Tuesday May 13th.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley is a spectacularly themed environment located in Universal Studios Florida that will open this summer. It will join The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, which opened in 2010 at our other theme park, Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

You’ll enjoy new experiences based on iconic locations found in the Harry Potter books and films like London, the bustling shops in Diagon Alley and the dark corners of Knockturn Alley. You’ll also experience an incredible journey between London and Hogsmeade aboard the Hogwarts Express.

And at the far end of Diagon Alley will be Gringotts bank, which will house the groundbreaking thrill ride, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. The attraction will place you in the middle of an epic adventure through the Gringotts vaults – and it will be unlike any other theme park experience in the entire world.

Universal Orlando Resort has released a few new videos showcasing the Diagon Alley expansion, more specifically Gringotts.

The first (rather quick) video shows a goblin asking viewers if they are “here to open an account.” The description of the video is as follows: Who’s excited to visit the vaults of Gringotts? Here’s a first look at the goblins that will be featured in Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts — the groundbreaking marquee attraction that will be opening this summer in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Diagon Alley.

The second video is a behind the scenes look at the Hogwarts Express. The Hogwarts Express will feature two different experiences whether you’re traveling from London to Hogsmeade or vice versa. You can view a map of the ride over at Universal’s website.

Who else is getting super excited for the opening, we can’t wait!

In a new interview, Loews Hotels Chairman Jonathan Tisch revealed that the Diagon Alley expansion is set to open mid-June, coinciding with the opening of the new Cabana Bay Beach Resort Hotel.

“As you noted, it’s the largest hotel to be built in the world outside of China. Phase one opened, 600 rooms about a month ago; the rest will open when Harry Potter II opens mid-June. It is a big structure so that then will give us 4,200 rooms at Universal Studios Orlando and business is very strong there.”

Thanks to Mugglenet for the tip!

The Today Show posted a video preview for their coverage of the Diagon Alley expansion of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando. Al Roker gives us a first look at the Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts queue and animatronic Goblin bankers.

Every day next week, the Today Show will be sharing sneak peaks of Diagon Alley. They also offering viewers the chance to win tickets to the Grand Opening of the expansion this summer. To learn how to enter visit the sweepstakes page

Thanks Inside the Magic For the video!

The Orlando Sentinal is reporting that the Today show will no longer be broadcasting from Universal Orlando this Friday as we reported yesterday. Universal spokesman Tom Schroder said:

“Plans for live broadcasts are ever-changing things, any attempt to draw conclusions beyond that would just be wrong.”