Universal Orlando has been building their latest and greatest theme park: Universal Epic Universe. The new park, which nearly doubles the size of the current Universal Orlando Resort, promises to immerse guests into expansive worlds featuring more than 50 attractions, entertainment, dining, and shopping experiences that come together to create an unforgettable adventure that is nothing short of epic.
Over the last few months, we’ve learned all about the worlds we can’t wait to explore throughout Epic Universe: Celestial Park, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, and Dark Universe. Now, we finally have all the magical details for the fifth and last land in the lineup (future expansions excluded): The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic.
Developed by the Universal Creative team and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment, The newest Harry Potter themed land builds upon the global phenomenon that began in 2010 with the debut of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure, and continued with the 2014 launch of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida.
Set in wizarding Paris from Warner Bros. Pictures Fantastic Beasts films and the British Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter film series, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic will feature a collection of experiences that includes fantastical dining, whimsical retail, spellbinding entertainment and the most ambitious, groundbreaking ride Universal has ever created. Let’s explore!
Beyond the world’s ornate portal, you’ll first journey from a Muggle park in Paris into the breathtaking spectacle of 1920’s Place Cachée: a hidden, bustling shopping district in wizarding Paris lined with Haussmannian buildings, shops, sidewalk cafés, and historic Parisian domes rising in the distance. Here, wizards and non-magiques alike will be enamored with the majestic grandeur and enchanting ambiance of the city as they cast dazzling spells throughout the magical streets using interactive wands, encounter fantastic beasts at a traveling circus, and – for the first time ever within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – travel across countries and time to 1990s London using the Métro-Floo for a thrilling adventure set inside the iconic British Ministry of Magic.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic will feature the unmatched levels of immersion and attention to detail fans have come to expect from the lands of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley at Universal’s Orlando parks. Here’s what we can expect:
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry – Withits unique combination of massive environments, powerful storytelling and first-of-its-kind ride technology, Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry builds upon the historic theme park innovation Universal is known for – and will be one of its most impressive attractions to date. The adventure begins by traveling via Métro-Floo (a unique mode of wizarding transit inspired by the iconic Floo Network seen in the films) to journey from wizarding Paris to the British Ministry of Magic for the long-awaited trial of the infamous Dolores Umbridge. Upon arrival, you’ll enter the Ministry’s jaw-dropping grand atrium and venture through other departments before boarding magical, omnidirectional lifts to watch the trial take place… until Umbridge attempts to escape. Join Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and a house-elf named Higgledy in a thrilling chase that will propel you up, down, forward, backward, sideways and more throughout the Ministry as you try to capture Umbridge – all while dodging attacks from Death Eaters, rampaging creatures and more along the way.
Le Cirque Arcanus – A live, full-scale theatre experience will sit in the heart of the land with Le Cirque Arcanus. This spectacular show features live performers and aerialists, puppetry, special effects and more, taking you on a whirlwind journey to encounter fantastic beasts in this first-of-its-kind show. The show follows Ringmaster Skender, who has stolen Newt Scamander’s suitcase – where Demiguise, Diricawl, Mooncalves and more reside – to try and bring the failing Le Cirque Arcanus back to its former glory. It’s then up to circus employee Gwenlyn to rescue these creatures before they end up in Skender’s greedy hands forever.
Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique – Shop some of the world’s finest wands designed by esteemed artisan wandmaker, Cosme Acajor, in the premier Parisian wand shop, Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique. In addition to popular imports from Ollivanders, visitors will find a selection of exquisite wands packaged in unique three-sided boxes, each containing a list of locations throughout the wizarding world where guests can practice casting spells.
Inspiring Wand Magic – As you explore the streets of wizarding Paris, you can use interactive wands to create magical experiences; casting spells at various locations, interacting with fantastic beasts such as Nifflers, Bowtruckles and a Demiguise, and engaging with enchanted objects in many of the storefront windows and other areas throughout Place Cachée.
Captivating Entertainment – While exploring the streets of Place Cachée, you’ll also encounter other visitors, officials and residents from the wizarding world, including exchange students from the Hogwarts and Ilvermorny Schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry, an Auror from the Ministère des Affaires Magiques de la France who roams inquiring of suspicious characters, talking portraits of delightful wizards who engage with locals about the happenings in Place Cachée, and more.
And how could we forget about the shopping cuisine? We’ll soon enjoy delicious international fare and shop souvenirs from some highly-themed dining and retail locations, including:
Café L’Air De La Sirène – A wonder of French architecture adorned with fabulous carved marble and details of fantastic beasts hidden in the tile and mosaic designs, Café L’air De La Sirène is a charming café to delight in French sandwiches, plats du jour and desserts.
Le Gobelet Noir – In the shadowy corners of Place Cachée is a mysterious timeworn auberge, where international Dark witches and wizards gather to escape the prying eyes of the Paris Ministry and have a hearty meal over hushed conversation. Menu offerings include starters such as soups and salads as well as a variety of entrées and desserts.
Bar Moonshine – American witches and wizards can enjoy a taste of home at Bar Moonshine, where they’ll find exclusive beers, wines and cocktails served amid U.S. Quidditch team pennants and other items of wizarding Americana.
Bièraubeurre Cart – No visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is complete without Butterbeer! Stop by the Bièraubeurre cart during your visit to Place Cachée for a frosty, delicious mug of the fan-favorite beverage.
Additional shopping locales include Les Galeries Mirifiques, where you’ll find wizarding gear and memorabilia, K. Rammelle, a French confectionary shop, or make a stop for Ministry of Magic-inspired items at the Métro-Floo gift shop, Tour En Floo.
If you can’t wait Epic Universe to open and need some Ministry of Magic merch NOW, a variety of new items inspired by the upcoming Harry Potter land are now available for a limited time at the Universal Epic Universe Preview Center in Universal CityWalk and on shop.universalorlando.com.
Experience the thrill of a Universal Orlando Resort vacation with the help of a Dreams Unlimited Travel Vacation Planner. Our agents will assist you in booking the perfect Universal getaway, all at no extra cost to you. Get the most out of your vacation by letting us provide expert advice, answer any questions, and continuously search for discounts to ensure you get the best deal possible.
Theme Park Correspondent for The DIS | Chloé loves kitschy dark rides, roller coasters, a good background area music loop, hot Butterbeer, and all things Halloween. You’ll mostly find her wandering around Orlando’s biggest theme parks snapping pics and sharing tips… or probably talking about The Great Movie Ride.
