What may come to Wizarding World of Harry Potter 2.0 at Universal Orlando

Photos: Top 10 Wizarding World of Harry Potter rides and attractions

The highly anticipated expansion of the Wizarding World themed land at Universal's Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Fla., will see the introduction of a Gringotts Bank attraction in a second land at the adjacent Universal Studios Florida theme park.

A Hogwarts Express train will transport visitors between the existing Hogsmeade Village at Islands of Adventure and the new Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida.

The second Harry Potter land will be built on the location of the former Jaws attraction, which was demolished more than a year ago.

Of course, as with all things related to Wizarding World, we've known most of this for months if not years. Only now it's finally official.

Which leaves us with what we still don't know - and that's plenty. As you might expect, Internet sleuths have been busy digging for details on Diagon Alley and the new land's planned attractions, restaurants and shops ever since the launch of Project 772 (the codename for the expansion).

Keeping in mind that much of what follows is informed conjecture and speculation, let's take a look at what might be in store for Potter 2.0 at Universal Orlando.

Gringotts Bank coaster

The Gringotts Bank attraction is widely expected to be a first-of-its-kind indoor attraction that combines roller coaster elements with a dark ride experience.

An elaborate queue will take visitors through a banker's hall, vault display, reading room and Bill Weasley's office, according to Theme Park Insider.

Expect an appearance by villainess Bellatrix Lestrange as well. The London press reported that Helena Bonham Carter, who played the pure-blood witch in the movies, returned to the Warner Bros. Leavesden studios to film scenes for the Gringotts attraction.

After passing through the extensive queue, visitors will be transported via elevator into the Gringotts vault. The special effects journey into the underground bank vault is expected to be part of the attraction experience, with the elevator ride simulating both vertical and horizontal movements. 

Riders will then board a 24-seat vehicle that features a motion-based platform on top of a roller coaster track. The special effects-laden ride begins with a free-fall drop track section before traveling through scenes with names like Thief's Downfall and Sirius Black's Vault, according to Theme Park Insider.

Hogwarts Express attraction

From the outside, the Hogwarts Express attraction will look like a locomotive with a coal car and three passenger cars, according to Screamscape. Once inside, visitors will sit in individual compartments just like Harry, Ron and Hermione did in the movies.

But rather than windows, the interior of the train will be outfitted with 3-D video screens that create the illusion of passing through the English countryside between Hogsmeade Village and Diagon Alley.

In reality, two identical trains will each simultaneously depart from their respective stations and travel through a backstage area between the two parks along an elevated track. Unbeknown to the riders inside, the two trains will pass at the midpoint along parallel tracks much like a funicular.

The virtual journey is expected to employ multiple storylines based on the direction riders are traveling, according to Spins the World. The cabins will be equipped with special effects such as heat blasts, flickering lights and leg ticklers. One storyline is expected to include a Dementor attack on the train.

At the Diagon Alley terminus, passengers will embark and disembark at Platform 9 3/4 in a replica of King's Cross station.