'Harry Potter'-inspired Hogwarts train to pull up to Long Island homes this winter
The Long Island Airstream Experience of Port Jefferson Station will bring the Hogwarts Express to Long Island in March 2023. Credit: Thomas Francis
The Hogwarts Express is flying straight out of the wizarding world of "Harry Potter" and its next stop is Long Island. This March, the Long Island Airstream Experience of Port Jefferson Station will launch a new "Potter"-inspired party on wheels that comes directly to your home.
“You get the feeling like you are riding to Hogwarts,” says company owner Thomas Francis. “We have custom built the interior of the airstream and fabricated each piece of the train from aluminum steel.”
Parties of 25 are expected to gather as the train pulls up to the backdrop of Platform 9 3/4 at King’s Cross Station from the Potterverse. Each guest puts on a robe and gets to take a photo-op before boarding.
“Once they go into the train, we come around with a trolley cart that offers chocolate frogs and Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans,” says Francis. “You even sit in the same booth type of seating you see in the films.”
When exiting the train, the guests will have arrived at Hogwarts and the wizard activities begin.
“There will be several stations, overseen by Hogwarts professors, ranging from wand making to potion creations to herbology area where they can pot their own mystical plants,” says Francis. “We will serve Butterbeer for kids and boozy Butterbeer for adults. Then Hagrid presents the birthday boy or girl a Nimbus 2000 broomstick.”
Prior to the arrival of the Hogwarts Express, this upcoming holiday season will see the arrival of the Polar Express airstream experience.
“We are going to put the Polar Express train right outside of your house and when you walk outside it’s like the start of the book,” says Francis. “The entire story is run through during the party.”
After boarding the Polar, a conductor punches everyone’s ticket. Hot chocolate and cookies are served by a team of dancing and singing servers. Then a ghost comes in and tells the kids not to believe in Santa Claus. However, that doesn’t stop the man in red.
“The last half-hour, Santa Claus appears,” says Francis. “Everyone gets a photo-op with Santa and a gift of a silver bell.”
Francis offers a wide variety of airstreaming experience all with different themes such as axe-throwing, video gaming, taco and tequila, camping, cigar and bourbon, beer and burger, wine and cheese, boozy brunch as well as hibachi and Saki.
“This is an all-in-one solution for a party. We provide the setting along with everything — the games, the food, the staff, the drinks and even the furniture,” says Francis. “COVID has changed the landscape of socializing. Folks have become accustomed to doing things at home and they enjoy the convenience.”
The Hogwarts Express is flying straight out of the wizarding world of "Harry Potter" and its next stop is Long Island. This March, the Long Island Airstream Experience of Port Jefferson Station will launch a new "Potter"-inspired party on wheels that comes directly to your home.
“You get the feeling like you are riding to Hogwarts,” says company owner Thomas Francis. “We have custom built the interior of the airstream and fabricated each piece of the train from aluminum steel.”
Parties of 25 are expected to gather as the train pulls up to the backdrop of Platform 9 3/4 at King’s Cross Station from the Potterverse. Each guest puts on a robe and gets to take a photo-op before boarding.
“Once they go into the train, we come around with a trolley cart that offers chocolate frogs and Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans,” says Francis. “You even sit in the same booth type of seating you see in the films.”
When exiting the train, the guests will have arrived at Hogwarts and the wizard activities begin.
“There will be several stations, overseen by Hogwarts professors, ranging from wand making to potion creations to herbology area where they can pot their own mystical plants,” says Francis. “We will serve Butterbeer for kids and boozy Butterbeer for adults. Then Hagrid presents the birthday boy or girl a Nimbus 2000 broomstick.”
ALSO, THE POLAR EXPRESS
Prior to the arrival of the Hogwarts Express, this upcoming holiday season will see the arrival of the Polar Express airstream experience.
“We are going to put the Polar Express train right outside of your house and when you walk outside it’s like the start of the book,” says Francis. “The entire story is run through during the party.”
After boarding the Polar, a conductor punches everyone’s ticket. Hot chocolate and cookies are served by a team of dancing and singing servers. Then a ghost comes in and tells the kids not to believe in Santa Claus. However, that doesn’t stop the man in red.
“The last half-hour, Santa Claus appears,” says Francis. “Everyone gets a photo-op with Santa and a gift of a silver bell.”
Francis offers a wide variety of airstreaming experience all with different themes such as axe-throwing, video gaming, taco and tequila, camping, cigar and bourbon, beer and burger, wine and cheese, boozy brunch as well as hibachi and Saki.
“This is an all-in-one solution for a party. We provide the setting along with everything — the games, the food, the staff, the drinks and even the furniture,” says Francis. “COVID has changed the landscape of socializing. Folks have become accustomed to doing things at home and they enjoy the convenience.”
AIRSTREAM EXPERIENCE
WHEN | WHERE Booking daily throughout Nassau and Suffolk; Hogarts Express: Starting March 2023; Polar Express: Nov. 25-30.
INFO 1-844-542-4427, tliae.com
COST Hogarts Express: Private party starts at $2,799 per two-hour experience for up to 25 people; Polar Express: $2,799 per 90-minute experience for up to 25 people.
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.
