Next week, Universal Orlando Resort will reveal new details about Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure – the all-new, highly-anticipated coaster experience opening in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade on June 13. 

Visit UniversalOrlando.com at 8:30 a.m. EST on March 12 to hear the special announcement from Tom Felton and Alan Gilmore, Art Director of the Harry Potter films and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

Death Eaters and Knockturn Alley lovers, rejoice! A powerful dark arts spell has been cast on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, bringing a dynamic, all-new light projection experience to Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort!

The “Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle” will illuminate Hogwarts castle at Universal Studios Hollywood nightly from April 13 – 28 and May 25 – 27.

Universal Orlando Resort’s will debut the Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle later this year with dates to be announced. We will keep you updated on any new developments for Orlando’s dates.

The full press release may be read below:

 Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort invite guests to experience an exciting new dimension of sorcery at “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter^TM” with the introduction of the “Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle,” a powerful, original and breathtaking projection experience.

The “Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle” will illuminate Hogwarts castle and “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” nightly from April 13 – 28 at Universal Studios Hollywood then return from May 25 – 27.
Universal Orlando Resort’s experience will debut later this year with dates to be announced at a later time. 

This exciting all-new experience in “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will cast a mesmerizing display of light, music and special effects, unleashing the darkest creatures and villains, including the powerful Dark wizard Lord Voldemort. 

Illuminating a darker side of the Wizarding World, this spectacular new light projection experience will be a departure from previous “The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle” and “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle.” “Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle” will bring more intense tones and drama that reflect the Dark creatures and wizards that challenge goodness in the Wizarding World. 

Guests will be asked to summon their inner strength and bravery in the face of the all-consuming Dark Arts as some of the awe-inspiring moments and creatures inspired by the films come to life within the majestic light display. 

As darkness falls on Hogwarts castle, Dementors™, Death Eaters and other unspeakable creatures from Aragog and Mountain Trolls to Thestrals will cloak the castle with sinister images from the darker side of magic—even conjuring the visage of Lord Voldemort™ himself, until the Patronus spell—one of the most famous, difficult and powerful defense of the Dark Arts charms in the wizarding world—is cast. 

The “Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle” will be accompanied by an exclusive musical arrangement that will emanate in a surround sound environment. It was conducted by prolific arranger William Ross and recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra in London, based on the original scores composed for the film series created by Academy Award®-winning composer John Williams.

Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters that were brought to life in the Warner Bros. films, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort is a masterful recreation, faithful to the visual landscape of the fiction and films, including as its iconic focal point, Hogwarts castle.

From its snow-capped roofs and cobblestone streets to the historic British sensibilities that characterize the whimsical look and feel of the land, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” transports guests of all ages to the very places they watched on the silver screen.

With so much to see and do at Universal Studios Hollywood, the all-new 2019 Season Pass invites guests to experience the fun throughout the year for $149 when purchased online. Blackout dates and restrictions apply. Visit www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com for more details.  

At Universal Orlando, guests can take advantage of an unprecedented offer featuring up to six months free on any Universal Orlando Annual Pass if purchased before April 4, 2019. Click here for more details about Annual and Seasonal Pass options.

In a quick new video released on Facebook, Draco Malfoy actor Tom Felton and Art Director of the Harry Potter films and theme parks Alan Gilmore introduce the new attraction opening this Summer at Universal Orlando Resort! Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure will open to the public on June 13, 2019!

Universal Orlando Resort has announced the opening date for their new Harry Potter themed roller coaster! On June 13, 2019 Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure will open to the public!

For the first time ever, join Hagrid™ as you fly far beyond the grounds of Hogwarts™ castle on a thrilling roller coaster ride that plunges into the paths of some of the wizarding world’s rarest magical creatures.

This ride is replacing a previous fan favorite ride – Dragon Challenge, which was two separate coasters on different tracks. Not much is known about this new ride, but we can only imagine it will be even better than its predecessor!

Many fans will recall that last September, Universal Orlando Resort closed down the Dragon Challenge roller coaster in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade to make room for a new Potter-themed ride. Today we get our first look at that new attraction in the form of a poster! Set to open in 2019, this new roller coaster seems to be themed for The Forbidden Forest with a few Cornish Pixies wreaking havoc on the poster. No details on the ride have been announced but we will report as more information becomes available.

Experience Will Bring Even More Extraordinary Moments to Life in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort

More Details about the Magical New Adventure will be revealed in Early 2019

Universal Orlando Resort is giving guests a glimpse of the environment it is creating for the highly anticipated new experience coming to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade in 2019. Today, the resort shared never-before-seen artwork hinting at the magical adventure that awaits.

In 2010, Universal Orlando Resort brought the wonder, excitement and adventure of the Harry Potter books and films to life for the first time with the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. The expansion of the global phenomenon continued in 2014 with the launch of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida – allowing guests to experience even more extraordinary moments from Harry Potter’s magical world. With the Hogwarts Express connecting both lands, providing guests the opportunity to board the iconic train and relive Harry’s unforgettable journey, Universal Orlando created the world’s first centrally-themed, [sic] multi-park experience.

Opening in 2019 at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park, the new experience will become Universal’s most highly-themed coaster yet – immersing guests in an all-new adventure that is the next installment of the Wizarding World brought to life at Universal Orlando Resort.

More information about the attraction will be revealed in early 2019. Stay tuned for an exact date and more information.

Universal has released the full schedule for this year’s Celebration of Harry Potter at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort! Some new exhibitions have also been added to the 2018 Harry Potter Expo:

• An all-new virtual reality experience featuring Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Step into Newt Scamander’s case to explore the spectacular world of the film in a breathtaking cinematic virtual reality experience – including face-to-face meetings with six beasts!
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, a mobile game launching under Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment’s Portkey Games. Experience the magic of Hogwarts castle with a life-sized gallery wall, giveaways and hands-on gameplay. Plus, don’t miss out on the chance to hear from developers of the game during a special panel presentation later in the weekend.

Special activities that will happen throughout the weekend have also been revealed:

• A Celebration of Harry Potter 2018 Scavenger Hunt – Throughout the weekend, guests will be tasked with searching for the answers to a series of clues hidden in both magical and Muggle locations throughout The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. A fun experience for all Harry Potter fans, families and kids alike!

• Hogwarts Houses Rally and Costume Showcase – This is your chance to shine onstage and showcase your house colors, passion and creativity in a competition for the best themed attire. Each contestant who is selected can be individual or group costume and will be judged on the quality and craftsmanship of their costume. Come dressed to impress in your wizarding world best! Click here for more details and guidelines on the Costume Showcase.

The full schedule for the weekend is as follows, these events will be livestreamed on the Universal Orlando Facebook.