The area is themed to the Harry Potter media franchise, adapting elements from the film series and novels by J. K. Rowling, in partnership with Warner Bros. Entertainment under an exclusive license agreement.

The first phase of planning was officially announced for Islands of Adventure on May 31, 2007,[5][6] and after a two-and-a-half-year construction period, the area opened to the public on June 18, 2010.

The second phase was a significant expansion, and a substantial portion of construction occurred in the adjacent Universal Studios Florida theme park.

[2][3][4] Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, an indoor steel coaster that utilizes motion-based 3D effects, highlights the expansion along with the Hogwarts Express train ride, which transports guests between the two lands.

Both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley host a number of live events, interactive shows, as well as themed food and beverage items including the well-known Butterbeer-flavored offerings to provide an immersive experience for guests.

[13][14] The Walt Disney Company and Universal entered bidding negotiations with Warner Bros. and Rowling for the theme park rights to Harry Potter in the United States.

[18] In January 2007, About.com reported a rumor from a "highly credible source" that the Lost Continent area within Islands of Adventure park was to be re-themed "to the stories and characters of one of the most popular children's franchises".

[24][25][26] On May 31, 2007, Universal (in partnership with Warner Bros.) officially announced the 20-acre (8.1 ha) addition recreating Hogwarts, the Forbidden Forest and Hogsmeade, with a planned opening in 2009.

A bridge was built to connect The Lost Continent with Jurassic Park allowing guests to avoid the construction zone that was to become the Wizarding World.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter's grand opening ceremony took place on June 16 with book series author J. K. Rowling and film series actors Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Michael Gambon, Robbie Coltrane, Tom Felton, Matthew Lewis, James and Oliver Phelps, and Bonnie Wright, as well as Universal Orlando Resort officials and representatives from the media.

According to Jason Garcia of the Orlando Sentinel, this had resort executives pondering "when to expand Wizarding World and how to keep business balanced between Islands and Universal Studios Florida".

[36] In April 2011, Brady MacDonald of the Los Angeles Times mentioned that rapid attendance growth led to speculation that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter would see a significant expansion, which would include Diagon Alley and a Gringotts-themed dark ride possibly replacing the Lost Continent themed area in Islands of Adventure.

[40] Following its closure the following month, the Los Angeles Times stated that the site of the former Jaws ride in Universal Studios Florida would be used for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion, despite what previous speculation suggested.

They also indicated that a two-park pass would be necessary to ride the Hogwarts Express, which was set to connect Universal Studios Florida with the existing Harry Potter area at Islands of Adventure.

[51][52][53] The official opening date of the Diagon Alley phase was announced at an exclusive and private press conference on June 17, 2014, for July 8, 2014.

On June 18, 2014, the Diagon Alley red carpet premiere took place with Domhnall Gleeson, Bonnie Wright, Evanna Lynch, Matthew Lewis, James and Oliver Phelps, Tom Felton, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis and Helena Bonham Carter attending.

New photos of Diagon Alley were later released the same night and the official opening date was announced publicly by Universal Orlando's president, Bill Davis.

[56][57][58] The 1920s Wizarding Paris area will include the theatrical show Le Cirque Arcanus and will also feature a location where guests can time travel by Métro-Floo to the 1990s British Ministry of Magic area featuring the ride Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, which will revolve around the trial of Dolores Umbridge.

Visitors initially walk through the castle, interacting with various characters and props from the Potter series,[68] including a speech from Dumbledore, and directions from Harry, Hermione and Ron, before boarding a "magical bench" (controlled with a KUKA robotic arm system[69]).

Throughout the ride, guests are taken around the outside of the castle, using a combination of simulated flight as well as encountering realistic animatronic versions of the Whomping Willow, a horde of dementors, giant spiders, the Hungarian Horntail Dragon, and a Quidditch match.

[70] Flight of the Hippogriff is a steel roller coaster designed for families, located adjacent to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.

[78] The stage show, Le Cirque Arcanus, will involve a ringmaster stealing Newt Scamander’s suitcase full of magical creatures in order to bring his circus back to its former glory.

The shop sells many items from the Harry Potter universe including Chocolate Frogs, Acid Pops, exploding bonbons, Cauldron Cakes, treacle fudge, Fizzing Whizzbees, Pepper Imps, and Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans.

[85] Live events at Diagon Alley include the Knight Bus interactive show at the London waterfront; "The Fountain of Fair Fortune" and "The Tale of The Three Brothers," which are puppet shows enacting stories from The Tales of Beedle the Bard; and live performances from musical group Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees (mentioned briefly by Molly Weasley in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets).

[87] An Orlando Sentinel article stated "muggles will love their Harry Potter adventure" but identifies the need for the park to offer Universal Express Passes due to large crowds.

[88] Leigh Caldwell from Traveling Mamas noted that although the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is ideal for the whole family, it's not designed for anyone under 3 years old.

She went on to consolidate others' comments about the area: "there is no doubt that fans of the Harry Potter books and movies are going to enjoy the heck out of a visit to the Wizarding World".