Tiresome woke mob outraged by new Harry Potter train ride in California that has already sold thousands of tickets

Published: 19:42, 29 July 2026 | Updated: 19:48, 29 July 2026 Tiresome activists have urged people to boycott a new Harry Potter themed train ride in California - but thousands of tickets have already been sold. The Southern California Railway Museum brought a limited-time interactive theatrical train experience inspired by the iconic children's books and movies to Perris, California.  The ride, titled 'Harry Potter: A Hogwarts Express Adventure,' includes singalongs, spellcasting and famous references and encounters from the franchise. It opened on July 24, with the Los Angeles Times reporting nearly 11,000 tickets sold in pre-sales alone. But the ride has already faced backlash because of its connections to author J.K. Rowling - who has been a criticized figure for many years in the LGBT community over her opinions on trans people playing in women's and girls' sports.  Ashley Williamson, lead director of R.I.S.E. Perris Pride, a 'queer-led peer to peer support group for LGBTQIA' said she believes the Hogwarts-themed ride, and anything connected to the franchise should not be financially supported. She went so far as to say that the local queer community 'would not be safe' on the child-friendly train ride.   '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 said to Perris City Council in May. Ashley Williamson, lead director of R.I.S.E. Perris Pride, believes the Hogwarts themed ride and anything connected to the franchise should not be financially supported The ride has already faced backlash because of its connections to author J.K. Rowling - who has been a criticized figure for many years in the LGBT community over her opinions on trans people playing in women's and girls' sports  The Southern California Railway Museum brought a limited time interactive theatrical train experience to Perris, California. The ride, titled 'Harry Potter: A Hogwarts Express Adventure', includes singalongs, spellcasting, and famous references and encounters from the franchise 'It would send a message to the queer community that we would not be safe at the railway.'  Rowling has made many social media posts expressing that she advocates for transgender protection, while simultaneously defending her stance of distinguishing biological sex. The author previously said: '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.'  Kathleen Wallis, vice president of global themed entertainment at New York-based Warner Bros. Discovery, has stood by the decision to open the Harry Potter ride. She wrote: 'We feel privileged to create these experiences for the fans who love the stories, and there's a very deep fandom out there.  'A lot of these kids, my own included, grew up with these movies and stories, and they love to experience them in new ways.' Vice president and general manager of Rail Events Inc. said the organization 'is really proud to welcome all guests to a great experience' while clarifying that it doesn't have 'a personal connection' to Rowling. The train ride, that will be available until September 27, will give guests multiple photo opportunities featuring the iconic platform nine and three quarters. On board the express, a multitude of film and book inspired activities will be available. Performances with actors and singers, along with spell casting, games, and treats will culminate into an hour-long experience. Tickets vary from $72.25 to $93.25 depending on the departure time and participant's age. Rowling has made many social media posts expressing that she advocates for transgender protection, while simultaneously defending her stance of distinguishing biological sex Vice president and general manager of Rail Events Inc. said the organization 'is really proud to welcome all guests to a great experience' while clarifying that it doesn't have 'a personal connection' to Rowling On board the express a multitude of film and book inspired activities will be available. Performances with actors and singers, along with spell casting, games, and treats will culminate into an hour-long experience In 2020, during a controversy surrounding some of Rowling's statements, Daniel Radcliffe, the actor of the titular character in the film adaptations, spoke out in disagreement. In a post on The Trevor Project website, Radcliffe opposed any statement contradicting that 'transgender women are women.'  However, Radcliffe distinguished the difference between disagreeing with Rowling and disregarding the franchise altogether. 'If you found anything in these stories that resonated with you and helped you at any time in your life — then that is between you and the book that you read, and it is sacred.'  In a 2025 statement by Rowling, she publicly condemned Radcliffe, and his co-stars Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint saying, they had 'every right to embrace gender identity ideology' but attacked them for using their links to Harry Potter to serve as 'de facto spokespeople' for the 'world I created.' This came after Watson criticized her statements, which Rowling attributed to a lack of 'real life' experiences.   Rowling said: 'I wasn't a multimillionaire at fourteen. I lived in poverty while writing the book that made Emma famous. 'I therefore understand from my own life experience what the trashing of women's rights in which Emma has so enthusiastically participated means to women and girls without her privileges.'