Universal Orlando Resort has revealed new details for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, opening in 2025 as part of Epic Universe.
This is the final land reveal for the new theme park.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
To begin their exploration of the magical streets of 1920s Paris and the British Ministry of Magic in the late 1990s, guests will enter the land through a portal. The concept art of the entryway features a Time-Turner and a golden hand pointing a wand toward the sky.
Names for the land’s ride, shops, and more were revealed via trademarks in late 2023.
Entering the Streets of Paris
Guests can enter The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic from Celestial Park, which is the area that will serve as the hub of Universal Epic Universe.
After passing under the Phoenix Arch, guests will arrive at Place Cachée. The area is lined with shops, restaurants, and banners advertising Le Cirque Arcanus. While guests are still inside a theme park, Scott Verble, executive producer of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, promises the area will offer a refined, Parisian take on Harry Potter.
Additional concept art reveals what the space will look like at night. Windows and storefronts are lit, as strand lights surround Le Cirque Arcanus signage.
Associate producer Cara Pfost Brown shared that guests will be immersed in 1920s Paris while in the land. Immersion was so important to the creators of the land, that they even prerecorded French stories and vignettes to play throughout the area.
Attractions
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
The new attraction asks guests to head to the Paris Métro-Floo station and travel from 1920s Paris to 1990s London.
The Queue
The above concept art depicts part of the attraction’s queue. Like with previous Harry Potter attractions, the queue is massive and is meant to serve as an attraction by itself.
The Story
Shortly after the Battle of Hogwarts, order has been restored in the Ministry of Magic and Lord Voldemort’s followers are being held accountable for their crimes. One such accused is none other than Umbridge herself, and you’ve arrived on the crucial day of her trial.
Guests will board a lift to the courtroom to attend the trial. Also in attendance are Harry, Ron, and Hermione are in attendance. Higgledy, Umbridge’s former house elf and a new character for the attraction, will also be in attendance.
Umbridge eventually escapes Ministry control with the help of Death Eaters Yaxley, Carrow, and Macnair. While she attempts to repair a broken Time-Turner and bring back Voldemort’s reign, guests are recruited by Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Higgledy to help prevent her escape.
Once inside the attraction, guests can take in Art Nouveau surroundings and follow the signs down hallways lined with white tile before being directed to step into a large Métro-Floo fireplace and become engulfed in magical green flames. Guests will emerge at their destination and see that they’re no longer in Paris, but rather in a familiar grand atrium.
Entertainment
Le Cirque Arcanus
Le Cirque Arcanus is a technically complex show that will feature live performers, puppets, and special effects for guests of all ages to enjoy. The story follows Ringmaster Skender after he obtains magizoologist Newt Scamander’s famed suitcase filled with the beings who would go on to inspire a seminal wizarding text, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.”
Other characters in the show include a Demiguise, Zouwu, Kelpie, Mooncalves, Scamander, and the show’s protagonist, Gwenlyn, a squib and assistant to Skender.
Character Interactions
Guests will have the opportunity to interact with numerous witches and wizards on the streets of the land. They will also find magical creatures in shop windows, nooks, and crannies. These animated figures are some of the largest and smallest ever created by Universal Creative.
Environmental Interactions
New interactions will be available to guests in the new land. The concept art above depicts a child with a wand interacting with a window display.
Guests will also be able to speak with talking portraits and receive personalized replies.
Restaurants
Café L’air de la Sirène
Café L’air De La Sirène will serve French-inspired cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The indoor architecture features art nouveau mosaics and carved marble of witches and wizards. Outside, guests can sit in one of two outdoor seating areas.
Bièraubuerre
This Butterbeer cart will make the fan-favorite beverage available at Universal Epic Universe.
Le Gobelet Noir
This tavern is said to be a gathering place for Dark witches and wizards. Guests can dine on menu offerings that include starters, entrées, and desserts.
Bar Moonshine
This bar features U.S. Quidditch team pennants and serves exclusive beers, wines, and cocktails.
Shopping
Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique
In Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magiques, guests can purchase exquisite wands. This store will feature exclusive wands and British wand imports. Based on the concept art, the interior of this shop is much more refined than the interior of Ollivanders Wand Shop.
Previous rumors indicated that new spells and wands would come to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter areas at Universal Orlando ahead of the opening of Epic Universe.
Guests can also shop for wizarding gear and memorabilia in Les Galeries Mirifiques, satisfy their sweet tooth at the French confectionary shop, K. Rammelle, or make a stop for Ministry of Magic-inspired items at the Métro-Floo gift shop, Tour En Floo.
Watch the video reveal below for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic.
Also read more details for Celestial Park, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Super Nintendo World, and Dark Universe. Merchandise inspired by each of the park’s lands is available now for purchase in the Epic Universe Preview Center, located in Universal CityWalk Orlando.
For more Universal Studios news from around the world, follow Universal Parks News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news, visit WDWNT.