Few attractions at Universal Orlando carry the emotional weight of the Hogwarts Express.
Credit: Warner Bros.
It’s more than just a convenient way to move between Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. For Harry Potter fans, boarding the scarlet steam engine at King’s Cross Station or Hogsmeade Station represents a threshold moment, the exact instant when the ordinary world falls away and the wizarding world becomes tangible reality.
The enchanted windows showing countryside views, the encounters with familiar characters, the different experiences depending on travel direction—these elements combine to create something that transcends typical theme park transportation.
It’s storytelling in motion, a narrative bridge that doesn’t just connect two physical locations but recreates the emotional journey of heading to Hogwarts itself. That’s why the upcoming two-week closure matters more than standard attraction maintenance announcements.
When an experience becomes this integral to how guests emotionally connect with a themed land, its temporary absence creates ripples that extend beyond simple logistics.
Starting Monday, February 9, 2026, the Hogwarts Express will temporarily close for routine maintenance, remaining unavailable through February 23 before reopening on February 24. This two-week window allows Universal Orlando’s technical teams to address the complex systems that keep the attraction operating smoothly.
For guests with visits scheduled during this period, understanding what the closure means for park navigation, what alternatives exist, and how to adjust touring strategies becomes essential to maintaining the magic of your Universal Orlando experience.
Why the Hogwarts Express Requires Extended Maintenance
Credit: Universal
The Hogwarts Express stands among Universal Orlando’s most technically sophisticated attractions. Unlike simpler rides confined to a single building or plot of land, this experience involves actual trains moving along tracks between two separate theme parks. The show elements visible through cabin windows must synchronize perfectly with train movement.
Audio systems deliver character dialogue and sound effects at precise moments. Climate control systems manage Florida’s heat and humidity for guests enclosed in train compartments. Every technical component must function flawlessly to maintain the illusion that you’re actually traveling through the British countryside toward Hogsmeade village.
This complexity demands regular maintenance beyond standard daily inspections and overnight servicing. Last year alone, the Hogwarts Express closed three separate times for maintenance in May, September, and December.
These periodic closures reflect Universal’s preventive approach, addressing potential issues before they escalate into major problems that could cause unexpected downtime or compromise guest safety.
The February 9-23 closure provides maintenance crews with adequate time for comprehensive inspections and repairs. Typical work during these extended closures includes inspecting and servicing train cars, checking track systems for wear or alignment issues, updating show technology including projection systems and audio equipment, testing safety systems, and addressing accumulated wear from daily operations. The two-week timeline suggests thorough attention rather than quick fixes, ensuring the attraction returns to operation in optimal condition.
What Guests Can Experience During the Closure
Credit: Universal
Universal Orlando isn’t leaving Harry Potter fans completely without connection to the iconic train.
A stationary train car will be available for viewing at Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure throughout the closure period. Guests can take photographs with the scarlet engine and interact with a train conductor character, capturing some of the Hogwarts Express magic even without the full ride experience.
To find this photo opportunity, head toward Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure in Hogsmeade. The train car is positioned in an alcove area behind the ride’s locker facilities. This location keeps the display accessible while preventing crowd congestion in Hogsmeade’s main pathways, which can become packed during peak periods.
While viewing a stationary train car obviously doesn’t replicate the immersive journey between parks, it provides families with young Potter fans a way to interact with the iconic locomotive.
Universal’s character performers consistently deliver excellent interactions, and the conductor role typically features engaging personalities who enhance the photo experience beyond simple snapshots.
Navigating Between Parks Without the Train
The Hogwarts Express closure creates logistical considerations for guests who purchased park-to-park tickets planning to use the train as their primary transportation method. Without the train operating, you’ll need to exit through the main entrance of whichever park you’re visiting and walk to the other park’s entrance.
The good news is that Universal Orlando’s two main theme parks sit remarkably close together. The walk between park entrances takes approximately five minutes at a comfortable pace, making it far less burdensome than similar transitions at other multi-park destinations.
The pathway connecting the parks runs through Universal CityWalk, the resort’s entertainment and dining district, providing air-conditioned retail and restaurant options if you want to break up the walk or grab refreshments.
The walking route is straightforward and well-marked. Exiting either park leads directly to CityWalk, where clear signage directs you toward the other park’s entrance. The pathway accommodates wheelchairs, ECVs, and strollers without difficulty, though you should factor in extra time for security screening at each park entrance since bag checks occur upon entry.
Interestingly, the five-minute walk sometimes offers advantages over the Hogwarts Express during peak periods. When the train operates with heavy demand, queue times can extend to 30-45 minutes or longer, particularly during morning hours when guests initially move between parks and evening hours when they’re heading back toward Universal Studios for nighttime shows.
Walking eliminates wait times entirely, and February weather typically makes the brief outdoor stroll pleasant rather than uncomfortable.
Strategic Planning for February Visits
Guests visiting Universal Orlando between February 9 and 23 should adjust touring plans to account for the closure. Most importantly, don’t purchase park-to-park tickets solely for riding the Hogwarts Express during this period.
However, park-to-park admission still provides significant value for guests who want to experience attractions in both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure during a single day.
Consider starting your day at Islands of Adventure if Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure or VelociCoaster rank as high priorities. These attractions typically see heaviest demand from park opening through midday.
After experiencing Islands of Adventure’s highlights, make the five-minute walk to Universal Studios for afternoon and evening activities. This approach minimizes backtracking and keeps your day flowing efficiently without the train as a transportation option.
Guests staying at Universal Orlando resort hotels can leverage Early Park Admission, which grants hotel guests entry to select attractions one hour before official park opening. This benefit allows you to experience high-demand attractions with minimal wait times, potentially reducing the need for extensive park hopping throughout the day.
The Broader Hogwarts Express Experience
While Universal Orlando’s Hogwarts Express undergoes maintenance, Harry Potter fans have another train experience on the horizon. Rail Events Inc., the company behind Polar Express and Peanuts themed train journeys, announced they’re developing Harry Potter: A Hogwarts Express Adventure for 2026. This separate experience will take place on real, moving trains traveling through various locations across the country rather than at theme parks.
“We’ve been hard at work developing an incredible train-based experience,” said Jamie Ryan, director of marketing for Rail Events Inc. “And the highlight is that most of the experience takes place on a real moving train.”
The Rail Events experience will feature a pre-boarding area inspired by Platform 9¾, interactive competitions hosted by Hogwarts-themed characters onboard, and post-journey perks including Butterbeer and exclusive merchandise.
While specific dates and locations haven’t been announced, the touring model mirrors Rail Events’ approach with its popular Polar Express experiences that visit cities nationwide.
This nationwide Hogwarts Express tour represents the Harry Potter brand expanding beyond traditional theme park gates, bringing immersive experiences to fans who may not have immediate access to Universal Orlando or Universal Studios Hollywood.
It doesn’t replace or compete with Universal’s park-to-park attraction but rather offers an alternative way to experience the magic of boarding the iconic scarlet steam engine.
When Normal Operations Resume
The maintenance closure concludes February 23, with the Hogwarts Express scheduled to reopen for guest operations on February 24, 2026. Guests visiting on or after that date can expect the full immersive journey between parks, ideally with improved reliability and performance resulting from the comprehensive maintenance work.
Universal Orlando typically doesn’t provide detailed information about specific maintenance activities performed during attraction closures, but the two-week timeline indicates thorough attention to the systems that keep the Hogwarts Express operating as designed. When the attraction reopens, you should find the same magical journey that has made this experience a fan favorite since its debut.
If your Universal Orlando visit falls between February 9 and 23, adjust your expectations but don’t panic. The walk between parks genuinely takes five minutes, the stationary train car in Hogsmeade provides photo opportunities with a conductor character, and skipping the sometimes-lengthy Hogwarts Express queue means more time for butterbeer and actual attractions. Just remember that February 24 marks the return to normal operations, so if riding the train is absolutely non-negotiable for your Potter-obsessed family, plan your visit dates around that reopening. And honestly? Sometimes the best Universal Orlando experiences happen when you’re forced to slow down and take the scenic route through CityWalk instead of rushing between parks.