The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic Coming to Epic Universe
The fifth and final Epic Universe land has been announced. Appropriately, Universal dropped the news on Harry Potter’s birthday. The new land, called The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic is set in wizarding Paris from the Fantastic Beasts films and the British Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter films. Universal promises fans that Ministry of Magic includes “the most ambitious, groundbreaking ride Universal has ever created.” I like confidence!
If you’ve been following @bioreconstruct on X/Twitter, you’ve seen the scale of Epic’s Wizarding World. Universal Creative confirmed that his aerial photography isn’t lying. The shortest building in Epic’s Wizarding World is taller than the tallest building in Diagon Alley.
1920’s Place Cachée
Once guests enter the portal, they’ll be transported from a Parisian Muggle park into Place Cachée, a wizarding shopping district. Guests will cast spells with interactive wands, encounter fantastic beasts, and “travel across countries and time to 1990s London using the Métro-Floo for a thrilling adventure set inside the iconic British Ministry of Magic.”
Le Cirque Arcanus
Epic’s Wizarding World will be the first to include a full-scale theater experience. Le Cirque Arcanus follows the story of Ringmaster Skender, who stole Newt Scamander’s suitcase — and all of its creatures — to bring the failing circus back to life. Gwenlyn, a circus employee, attempts to rescue Newt’s magical beasts.
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
The headline attraction is called Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry.
“With its 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 when guests travel by 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.”
Guests will enter the Ministry’s grand atrium before boarding omnidirectional lifts (elevators to us Americans) to watch the trial. As you can expect, Umbridge doesn’t want to be there and attempts to escape. Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and a house-elf named Higgledy give chase (with us in tow). We’ll be propelled “up, down, forward, backward, sideways, and more throughout the Ministry as they try to capture Umbridge – all while dodging attacks from Death Eaters, rampaging creatures, and more along the way.”
Very, very cool.
Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique
Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique sells wands designed by its namesake as well as some popular Ollivanders models. The wands are packaged in three-sided boxes and come with a list of locations where guests can practice casting spells throughout the Wizarding World.
“As guests explore the streets of wizarding Paris, they can use their interactive wands to create magical experiences as they cast spells at various locations, interact with fantastic beasts such as Nifflers, Bowtruckles, and a Demiguise, and engage with enchanted objects in many of the storefront windows plus other areas throughout the marvelous Place Cachée.”
Guests will also encounter wizarding characters throughout Place Cachée, including exchange students from Hogwarts and the Ilvermorny Schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry, an Auror from the Ministère des Affaires Magiques de la France, and talking portraits.
Dining
There are numerous dining options in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, and not all of it is fish and chips. Café L’Air De La Sirène features carved marble and fantastic beasts hidden in the tile and mosaic designs. This café offers French sandwiches, plats du jour, and desserts.
Dark witches and wizards hang out at Le Gobelet Noir, a mysterious auberge far removed from the Paris Ministry. The menu features soups, salads, and a variety of entrées and desserts.
American witches and wizards can imbibe at Bar Moonshine where they’ll enjoy “exclusive beers, wines, and cocktails served amid U.S. Quidditch team pennants and other items of wizarding Americana.”
Yes, this land also sells butterbeer. You’ll find the GOAT theme park beverage at Place Cachée’s Bièraubeurre Cart. No doubt the line will be long, but the payoff is always worth it.
Read more: Dark Universe Coming to Epic Universe
Shopping
Guests can shop for wizarding merchandise in Les Galeries Mirifiques, indulge in sweets in K. Rammelle, or purchase Ministry of Magic gear in Tour En Floo.
If you can’t wait for Epic Universe to open, you can purchase select items at the Universal Epic Universe Preview Center in Universal CityWalk or online at shop.universalorlando.com.
Want more?
Watch the Universal Creative Team discussing everything that’s coming to Epic’s Wizarding World:
And here’s a beautiful fly-through video of the land:
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic opens in 2025.
