Inside Universal's New Harry Potter Ride: Battle at the Ministry of Magic Details Revealed

2 days ago in "Universal Orlando Resort"

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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic Ride Scenes

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Posted: Tuesday November 19, 2024 11:00am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Universal Orlando Resort has revealed details about Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, a new attraction set to open May 22, 2025, in Universal Epic Universe.

The ride, located within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, takes guests on an immersive adventure through the British Ministry of Magic, complete with what Universal says is groundbreaking ride technology and richly detailed environments.

The Ride Experience

Setting: The British Ministry of Magic, recreated as a full-scale environment inspired by the Harry Potter films.
Storyline: Guests will witness the trial of Dolores Umbridge, known for her infamously strict and controversial role in the wizarding world. The experience culminates in a thrilling chase as Umbridge tries to evade justice.
Ride Vehicles: The attraction uses magical, omnidirectional lifts that seat up to 14 people. These vehicles move in multiple directions, including up, down, forward, and sideways, offering dynamic movement through the Ministry’s various departments.

Here is a closer look at some of the immersive details and environments guests will find in Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry:

Métro-Floo Corridor

Guests will journey from wizarding Paris – the setting of the other experiences inspired by the Fantastic Beasts films in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic – to the Ministry via the Métro-Floo – a unique mode of transportation inspired by the iconic Floo Network from the films. As they emerge from the fireplace-like structures they’ve seen in the films, guests will immediately find themselves in the lobby of the Ministry of Magic.

The Ministry of Magic Atrium

Atrium

Atrium Offices

Fountain of Magical Brethren

The grand atrium of the Ministry of Magic comes to life in all its grandeur in the queue for the attraction. Here, guests will find a restored Fountain of Magical Brethren statue, the enchanted weather ceiling, an endless array of Ministry offices from floor to ceiling and many more intricate details for guests to discover while inside. Guests will also discover that their visit falls on the same day that Dolores Umbridge will stand trial for her crimes against the wizarding world.

Ministry Reception

Guests will pass by the Ministry Reception, where wizards typically ask for information before going about their wizarding business. However, guests won’t find anyone working the reception booths today as the entire Ministry is busy preparing for the trial.

Ministry Reception

Dolores Umbridge’s Office

A glittering chandelier illuminates Dolores Umbridge’s former office, which is revealed to be just as over-the-top as the woman herself with its pink hues and ornate gold carvings throughout. Here, guests will meet Higgledy, Umbridge’s former house-elf, for the first time as she enthusiastically cleans out the office ahead of the trial.

Dolores Umbridge's Office

Daily Prophet, Memos and Other Wizarding Details

Guests should keep an eye out for a variety of details from the films while they venture through the Ministry, like the latest edition of the Daily Prophet, flocks of interdepartmental memos and even the belongings of some of their favorite characters from the films.

Daily Prophet

Magical Ministry Lift

Guests will board a magical, omnidirectional lift that seats up to 14 guests to travel even deeper through the British Ministry for the long-awaited trial of Dolores Umbridge. Adorned with vibrant red and gold accents, these lifts are unlike any ride vehicle ever created and will propel guests up, down, forward, backward, sideways and more throughout the Ministry – just like guests have seen in the films.

Additional Ministry Areas

Magical Archives

Once aboard the ride, guests will find themselves on a thrilling chase to catch Umbridge as she attempts to escape her trial – all while dodging attacks from the Death Eaters, rampaging creatures and more along the way. Additional areas guests will soar through in the British Ministry include the Magical Archives –a cavernous library filled with towering cabinets that hold centuries of Ministry archives and wizarding documents; the Department of Magical Creatures – where creatures have escaped and are running amuck; and the Time Room – which is overflowing with a variety of Time-Turners and unique timekeeping devices.

Department of Magical Creatures

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BrianLo1 day ago

I didn't know they were making a live action How to train your Dragon. Certainly fortuitous timing.

UNCgolf1 day ago

Yeah, that's why I added the "if maintained and functioning properly" disclaimer.

JoeCamel1 day ago

And Spidey just got another TEA award at IAAPA, amazing for an "old" ride

drkarcher221 day ago

River Adventure can get moved back up when they finally get around to fixing all the Dino’s and scenes that just don’t work anymore

SplashJacket1 day ago

Yeah, the FJ screen domes have aged really poorly. Also think part of the issue is screens often direct your focus towards some time of specific action or event whereas non-screen scenes have a less focused attention, leading to more diversity of experience and thus increased re-ride ability, because the moments perceived are different each time. Thankfully, I think Universal realizes this, and thus the premiere dark rides here are done right.

UNCgolf1 day ago

I personally think screen heavy attractions suffer from this in general. It's happened to Flight of Passage for me too -- I still like FoP, but I honestly find NRJ more enjoyable now. I'm sure it varies from person to person, but there's something about being in a physical environment that feels different/less replicable than watching something happen on a screen. Attractions like Pirates, Haunted Mansion, and Spaceship Earth haven't lost any of their appeal to me compared to ones like FoP and Spiderman. FJ and Spiderman are both obviously more than just screens (unlike FoP) but they're still a major part of the experience.

SplashJacket1 day ago

Spider-Man and FJ were both super high on my list when I first experienced them but now they’re no where near the top. It is interesting that both have fallen so much in comparison to other attractions like Indy or RSR. Perhaps because both focused more on technology? I don’t think the Epic premiere attractions will suffer the same fate, but we’ll see

UNCgolf1 day ago

Forbidden Journey wasn't even the best ride at Islands of Adventure when it opened -- both Spiderman (which I'm also nowhere near as high on as other people) and Jurassic Park River Adventure were (and are) better, at least when maintained and functioning properly. FJ has more impressive technology for sure, but it doesn't really use it very well.

sonoma151 day ago

It's still my third favorite dark ride of all time, right behind Spiderman and Tower of Terror!

TalkToEthan1 day ago

Could you elaborate on that below as I’m not understanding what you mean—— I must be missing an obvious point you’re making. Thanks thanks

SplashJacket2 days ago

Look at what opened 15 years after Indy opened and then look at what opened 15 years after FJ opened. Not exactly a similar slate

DarkMetroid5672 days ago

Oh yeah, it’s still very good, especially the physical set dark ride portions. But the “#1 best ride ever” talk didn’t last long.

ToTBellHop2 days ago

He does look at that dragon the same way Nala looks at Simba during “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?”

drkarcher222 days ago

“and the Time Room – which is overflowing with a variety of Time-Turners and unique timekeeping devices.” This would imply that we would be going into the department of mysteries, the room where the time turners are kept is in the department. They get destroyed in the final battle in Order of the Phoenix. Presumably because the author was tired of people pointing out how pretty much every single plot in the series could be solved with them. Oh, Fudge doesn’t believe Voldemort is back, well just have him send an Auror back to Little Hangleton at the time Harry says Voldemort returned to check the validity of his claims. Even if they can’t interfere in what happened they’d still have clear proof that he returned and knowledge of his plans and the names of the Death Eaters in his inner circle, but that’s enough overthinking a book. The ride looks incredible, I love that we’re getting in queue animatronics in multiple rides with Ministry, DK and Monsters. (Along with potentially more depending on how they do the fortune teller for Curse of the Wolf, although I’d assume that will be done with a screen like Bill in the Gringotts line)