Creative Director of the Wizarding World Expansion Talks Dragons, Stream Trains and Diagon Alley

After finally confirming the expansion of Orlando's Wizarding World last week, Thierry Coup, senior vice president of Universal Creative, spoke with Fox News about the latest changes and what will be on offer when it opens to customers.

Speaking with Ricky Brigante (Fox News), Coup discussed the reasons behind the extension, the logistics of the new attractions, including the Hogwarts Express, as well as hinting as to which attractions shall be featured in Diagon Alley. Speaking of how close the park will match the concept artwork, Coup rather cryptically commented:

"The illustration is obviously an illustration. It’s an artist’s depiction of what the experience will feel like but the level of detail that’s in this rendering is not true to the real thing. It’s going to be so much higher in details [...] the real thing is going to be so much more than that."

Unfortunately, Coup didn't expand further on the rumoured launch date of 2014 or confirm whether it would open in phases but there is still some good information to be found in the interview, hidden amongst the spin!

We will of course be updating you on all the latest news regarding the park's transformation but in the meantime, tell us what you would most like to see in the new park. What shops should be featured in the iconic wizarding high street? Let us know in the comments section below.

J.K. Rowling spotted at Universal Studios, Orlando?

Behind The Thrills today received the above photograph (blown up slightly) from an anonymous Universal Studios park-goer earlier this afternoon which reportedly captures a shot of what's believed to be Florida Governor Rick Scott, alongside none other than creator of all the magic herself - J.K. Rowling!

As the official announcement of the park expansion just happened today, it makes perfect sense that she would be there...but what do you think? Looking at the original photo perhaps there's room for doubt - we'll let you know if any more details about this surprise visit are confirmed!

Universal Orlando announces Wizarding World Expansion is a reality and will open in 2014

After months and months of waiting and speculating, the time has come: Universal Orlando and Warner Bros. Entertainment has OFFICIALLY announced the The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley Expansion and added that the park will in fact open in 2014. We were anxiously awaiting for this breaking news as we reported weeks ago, we had inside information that the news was coming soon. So without further ado, here are the details:

Building on the global phenomenon that is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros. Entertainment today announced an expansion of historic proportion with the entirely new themed environment, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.

Scheduled to open in 2014, the world’s first centrally themed, multi-park experience expands The Wizarding World of Harry Potter across both Universal Orlando theme parks and allows Universal’s creative team to bring an unparalleled vision to this unique project. The new area will bring to life some of the experiences and places found in and around London in the Harry Potter books and films, offering brand-new adventures for fans and theme park guests from around the world.

Diagon Alley and ‘London’ will be located within the Universal Studios Florida theme park, which is adjacent to Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park, where guests now experience Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. The new area within Universal Studios will be just as expansive, immersive and authentic as the existing themed environment.

And – just like in the books and films – guests will be able to travel between ‘London’ and Hogsmeade aboard the Hogwarts Express.

Work on the new area is already underway. When complete, it will feature shops, a restaurant and an innovative, marquee attraction based on Gringotts bank – all directly inspired by the fiction and films.

More details on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will be released over time.

To bring Diagon Alley and ‘London’ to life, Universal’s creative team is working closely with Warner Bros. and the production design team from the Harry Potter films – just as it did for Hogwarts and Hogsmeade.

"I'm so pleased that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has proved so popular to date, and I'm sure that the attention to detail in creating the new Diagon Alley area will make this an even better experience," said J.K. Rowling.

“We are continuing the journey and adding an entirely new level of adventure,” said Tom Williams, Chairman of Universal Parks & Resorts. “And we are bringing the same drive, commitment, enthusiasm and innovation to this project as we did to the first.”

“We are thrilled to offer the legions of fans the opportunity to embark on this new journey and experience Diagon Alley as it was brought to life in the books and films,” said Brad Globe, president, Warner Bros. Consumer Products.

“Our vision is to create two amazing theme park experiences that combine into one, complete, magical journey,” said Alice Norsworthy, executive vice president, marketing and sales for Universal Orlando Resort.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade opened at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in June 2010 as a fully immersive Harry Potter themed environment - bringing to life the bestselling books by J.K. Rowling and the blockbuster feature films from Warner Bros. Since that time, it has become a global phenomenon, entertaining millions of people from around the world.

Visitors to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter are swept into the adventures of Harry Potter. They can tour Hogwarts castle, shop in Hogsmeade and dine at the Three Broomsticks. They can soar above Hogwarts with Harry, be chosen by a wand at Ollivanders, sample Butterbeer and much more.

Hollywood welcomes Wizarding World of Harry Potter

It's been long in coming, but the announcement from NBC Universal confirming construction of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios, Hollywood has finally arrived!

Here's the main quote from Ron Meyer, president and COO of Universal Studios currently buzzing around the net.

“After nearly a decade of work on the Evolution Plan, today’s vote sets the stage for our next 100 years in Los Angeles.”

100 years is a long time, but after the success the Harry Potter franchise has had in Universal Studios, Orlando, we're surprised this announcement didn't come sooner! The "Evolution Plan" cited here by Mr. Meyer reportedly represents a staggering $1.6 billion investment in tourism and production. You don't need a baker to tell you - that's a lot a dough!

InsidetheMagic is reporting that the new Wizarding World (which will begin construction this summer) will bring with it new and upgraded television production facilities, as well as office space and infrastructure at the Universal Studios lot which will comprise a $500 million investment in the Los Angeles economy and the creation of more than 2,000 construction jobs. Additionally, the inclusion of the Hogwarts-sized castle will mean bringing an end to some older sections of the park, including the Curious George section.

This announcement comes at a perfect time, as we're expecting NBC Universal to soon announce further details regarding the expansion of the existing park in Orlando. We had an inside scoop about this expansion from a Universal employee a little while ago which you can check out right here.

Are you excited to taste butterbeer in Hollywood? Let us know how you feel about this big news in the comments!

EXCLUSIVE Wizarding World of Harry Potter Expansion details & official announcement date!

MuggleNet recently visited The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - and during chats with a few key (read: authorized to share) staff members - learned some exclusive information about the still "technically" rumored theme park expansion.

The new information confirms most of what we have already heard - Gringotts, Diagon Alley, Hogwarts Express, etc., but this time, details are finally revealed.

We were told that the Hogwarts Express will indeed be the link between the two parks, and in fact, there will be THREE trains running on monorail type tracks. There will not be windows on the train, but in fact video screens, where the riders will watch one of six movies that were filmed by the cast (including Helena Bonham-Carter) months ago. The ride will effectively link The Wizarding World to the alternate park at Universal Studios, encouraging fans to inevitably buy tickets to both parks in order to enjoy the full Harry Potter experience.

Also, it was confirmed, exclusively to MuggleNet, that Gringotts will IN FACT be a high speed rollercoaster involving carts and will delve deep down into the bank (dragons, in fact, are bound to be encountered!)

Lastly, we were told that the official announcement of the expansion - finally removing it from rumored status - will happen in the next 4-6 weeks. This is not so surprising, as rumors of the announcement of a Wizarding World expansion at Universal Studios Orlando have been floating around the net for some time, but this is the first real confirmation from somone on the inside.

How excited are you for this new information? We literally can't wait for 2014!

New video shows steady progress on 'Wizarding World' expansion area in Orlando

In a new video released by Attractions Magazine, it is clear that the expansion area at Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park in Universal Orlando is growing rapidly.

It has been reported by news agencies that the new expansion area (which is still technically "rumored" at this time) will be opeing up in the Summer of 2014. This information was even accidentally "spilled" by Orlando mayor, Buddy Dyer, when publicly speaking regarding the economic contributions to the area by Universal Orlando.

In this new video shown above, it is increasingly obvious that King's Cross is going to be amazing. Combine that with Diagon Alley, a Gringott's Bank Cart ride, and a train ride on the Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade, and it becomes very difficult indeed to hide a witch or wizards excitement in front of the Muggles. Remember my friends, we do have a Statute of Secrecy law to uphold! I just wish Warner Bros. would forget about their secrecy laws and announce all of these glorious plans that are in the works so we can stop referring to the expansion area as a "rumor."

Which rumored section of the expansion are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below.