A new interactive train experience based on the Harry Potter franchise, titled 'Harry Potter: A Hogwarts Express Adventure,' has opened at the Southern California Railway Museum in Perris, California, and is already facing calls for a boycott.
The limited-time event, which features singalongs, spellcasting, and franchise-related encounters, has reportedly sold nearly 11,000 tickets in pre-sales alone. It officially opened on July 24 and will run until September 27.
Calls for the boycott stem from criticism directed at author J.K. Rowling over her public statements regarding transgender people and women's sports. Ashley Williamson, lead director of R.I.S.E. Perris Pride, a support group for the LGBTQIA community, stated that financial support for the ride would implicitly align with Rowling's views. Williamson also expressed concerns that the event might not be safe for the local queer community.
'We stand against the Express at the railway — using any kind of Harry Potter trademark explicitly sides with J.K. Rowling and her anti-trans agenda,' Williamson told the Perris City Council in May. She added that such an event would send a message that the queer community would not be safe at the railway.
Rowling has previously stated that she respects the right of transgender individuals to live authentically but has also defended her views on biological sex. She has articulated, "I respect every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them. I’d march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female."
Warner Bros. Discovery, represented by Kathleen Wallis, vice president of global themed entertainment, has defended the creation of such fan experiences. "We feel privileged to create these experiences for the fans who love the stories, and there's a very deep fandom out there," Wallis stated. "A lot of these kids, my own included, grew up with these movies and stories, and they love to experience them in new ways."
Rail Events Inc., which operates the train experience, expressed pride in welcoming all guests. Its vice president and general manager clarified that the organization "is really proud to welcome all guests to a great experience" while noting it does not have "a personal connection" to Rowling.
Activities on board the train are designed to immerse guests in the Harry Potter universe, including opportunities for photos at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, performances by actors and singers, spellcasting demonstrations, games, and themed treats. The experience lasts approximately one hour, with ticket prices ranging from $72.25 to $93.25.
This controversy echoes past debates. In 2020, actor Daniel Radcliffe, who portrayed the titular character in the film adaptations, publicly disagreed with some of Rowling's statements, particularly those perceived as contradicting the identity of transgender women. However, Radcliffe also differentiated between disagreeing with Rowling and rejecting the Harry Potter franchise itself, stating that the stories' resonance with individuals is a personal and sacred experience.
In response to public statements from Radcliffe and other cast members like Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, Rowling has previously expressed her views on their role as "de facto spokespeople." She stated in 2025 that while they have "every right to embrace gender identity ideology," she felt they were using their connection to her work to speak for the universe she created. Rowling has also commented on Watson's criticism, attributing it to a lack of life experience compared to her own struggles with poverty while writing the books that brought Watson fame.