Universal Orlando has revealed official details for the final world of Epic Universe, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. They’ve confirmed the story for the land’s main ride, which takes place within the British Ministry, as well as info on the stage show, dining locations, interactive wands, and more.
Let’s dig into all the official details, as well as some rumors for the land that were not revealed, in today’s news update. See the video version of this story below for additional visuals.
About the Land
After entering the portal, we will be transported to a muggle park in 1920’s Paris. After passing through the Phoenix Arch, we enter Place Cachée, a hidden Wizarding market first seen in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.
For the first time ever, Universal has created full-scale buildings for this land, where the shortest building in Wizarding Paris is still taller than the tallest building in Diagon Alley.
The land features two time periods, with much of it set within 1920’s Paris, where Fantastic Beasts can be seen in windows around the land. The main ride however, is set within the 1990s, and features characters from the Harry Potter series of books and films.
Main Attraction
The land’s main attraction is named “Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry,” as had been rumored and also semi-confirmed by trademark applications filed last year.
Universal has confirmed that to travel to the British Ministry of Magic from Wizarding Paris we will take the Métro-Floo, a mode of Wizarding transportation that utilizes Floo Network fireplaces.
After a green fire effect erupts around us we find ourselves in the massive full-scale setting of the British Ministry’s bustling halls and atrium.
As we’ve previously seen in permits, the atrium features large-scale office windows, surrounding the centerpiece fountain and statues.
The cut-out area behind the atrium is shown in permits as containing a massive set extension with a LED screen wall, like the one at Bourne Stuntacular. This screen extends the view of the Ministry, while allowing for flying memos to appear to fly around above.
Possible LED wall set extension seen behind statue at back of atrium
We turn left in the atrium to enter the rest of the queue, which Universal says passes through “various recognizable departments and workspaces.” Dolores Umbridge’s office is rumored to be one of these spaces.
The story for this ambitious new ride has been confirmed, with Universal saying we’re here to witness “the long-awaited trial of the infamous Dolores Umbridge.” We will board “magical, omnidirectional lifts to watch the trial take place” which can travel “up, down, forward, backward, sideways.”
Load area for the ride
Official concept art for this ride confirms rumors for the seating of the ride vehicle, which we have described as large elevator-style themed seating similar to the Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Official concept art for Battle at the Ministry
The ride system itself is expected to place this seating area on top of a motion base equivalent to the Star Tours motion base, which a wider range of motion as something like The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. This will allow the ride vehicles to go up and down, in addition to rock and tilt. Plus, the entire thing will be on a track, so it can travel from scene to scene. Universal promises that this ride will feature impressive large-scale spaces for us to move through.
Speculative graphic showing scale of ride vehicle, Image: Scott Walker
It will also contain impressive realistic animatronic figures, like the Death Eater seen briefly in the official reveal video, (shown below). They did not discuss it in the announcement, but Dolores Umbridge is expected to be brought to life by advanced projection mapping technology, which will project the actors’ likeness onto a moving animatronic figure.
In the story of the ride, Umbridge escapes with the help of the Death Eaters, with the goal of repairing a broken Time-Turner in the Department of Mysteries to restore Voldemort’s reign.
We’re joined by Harry, Ron, Hermione, and a new character named Higgledy, Umbridge’s former house-elf, to capture her and stop her from escaping. We chase her through the Ministry “…all while dodging attacks from Death Eaters, rampaging creatures and more along the way.”
Battle at the Ministry will have a minimum height requirement of 40″. Set within the largest indoor ride building at Epic Universe, Universal says it will be one of their most impressive attractions to date.
Live Stage Show
The other attraction for the land is named “Le Cirque Arcanus,” as seen in the second Fantastic Beasts film. This name was also trademarked last year.
This will be the first indoor stage show for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and will feature a combination of live performers, puppets and special effects.
After entering the circus tent sitting within the center of the land, we find ourselves in a much larger space inside. We stroll by sideshow displays inside the tent, on our way to the show’s main theater.
Universal says the story of the show follows Ringmaster Skender, who has stolen Newt Scamander’s suitcase 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.”
Universal confirms that in addition to many of his magical creatures, Newt Scamander himself will appear in the show.
This technically complex show will seamlessly blend media with live action to make it feel as though you are surrounded by Fantastic Beasts.
Dining & Shopping
This new Wizarding World land will feature two main dining locations, both upscale quick service, where you order your food at a counter but it is brought to your table when ready.
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 where guests can delight in French sandwiches, plats du jour and desserts.”
Le Gobelet Noir, the land’s other quick service location, is hidden in the shadowy corners of the land, “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! Guests can stop by the Bièraubeurre cart during their visit to Place Cachée for a frosty, delicious mug of the fan-favorite beverage.”
The official announcement only briefly touched on shopping options within this third Wizarding World land, including the main ride’s exit gift shop, named Tour En Floo, which will feature Ministry of Magic inspired items.
Les Galeries Mirifiques in the center of the land will offer wizarding gear and memorabilia. And K. Rammelle is the land’s French confectionery shop.
Interactive Experiences
Of course, this new Wizarding World land will offer a whole new set of interactive wand experiences as well, with an emphasis on Fantastic Beasts hiding in windows along the Parisian streets.
As expected, the land’s wand shop will be Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique. Universal confirms that new wands offered here will come in the triangle boxes, which will contain “a list of locations throughout the Wizarding World where guests can practice casting spells.”
Not mentioned in the announcement, are the rumored enhancements to wands for all of the Wizarding Worlds. New wands, which will feature connectivity to the mobile app should allow you to track your progress around all three Wizarding lands, unlocking more interactive experiences—similar to how the Power-Up Bands work in Super Nintendo World. We may learn more about these rumored enhancements very soon though.
Another aspect that was announced for Wizarding Paris, are roaming characters for the land.
“While exploring the streets of Place Cachée, guests will 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.”
For the first time, you will be able to speak to various talking portraits and receive real, personalized replies.
Shortly after these new details were revealed for the Wizarding World, the AR for its location in the model at the Epic Universe Preview Center was activated. In it, we can now peer into the building, and see a section of the British Ministry inside.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic AR elements are now live at the Epic Universe Preview Center. @UniversalORL pic.twitter.com/dfALTwawDO
— Inside Universal (@insideuniversal) July 31, 2024
That’s all for this update, but be sure to check out the video version of this story for additional visuals. Check out our last story for construction updates around all of Epic Universe, and stay tuned for our next update where we’ll discuss the park’s first fireworks test and more!
Subscribe to the news feed or enter your email address below to never miss an update. Official Art: Universal Destinations & Experiences | Aerial Photos: Bioreconstruct | Permit Documents: fasttrack.ocfl.net | Graphics and Overlays: Alicia Stella | Other Images as Captioned
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