New Wizarding World of Harry Potter Details: Ministry of Magic to Debut at Universal Orlando in 2025

Jul 31, 2024 in "Universal Orlando Resort"

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic concept art
Posted: Wednesday July 31, 2024 9:00am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

In 2025, Universal Orlando Resort will introduce its third Harry Potter-themed land, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, as part of the upcoming Universal Epic Universe. This new addition will be set in wizarding Paris, as depicted in the Fantastic Beasts films, and the British Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter series. The land will offer multiple experiences, including dining, retail, entertainment, and a new ride that Universal describes as one of its most ambitious projects to date.

Developed by Universal Creative in collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic is the latest expansion in the Wizarding World franchise at Universal Orlando. This follows the earlier openings of Hogsmeade in 2010 at Universal Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley in 2014 at Universal Studios Florida.


Upon entering this new land, visitors will journey from a Muggle park in Paris to 1920s Place Cachée, a hidden shopping district in wizarding Paris. The area will feature Haussmannian architecture, shops, sidewalk cafés, and Parisian domes. Guests can engage in interactive wand activities, encounter magical creatures at a traveling circus, and, for the first time within the Wizarding World, travel between countries and eras using the Métro-Floo system, leading to a new adventure within the British Ministry of Magic.

Below is a look at everything waiting to be discovered in this new world:

Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry

 

With its unique combination of massive environments, powerful storytelling and first-of-its-kind ride technology, 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. Upon arrival, guests will enter the Ministry’s grand atrium and venture through other departments before boarding magical, omnidirectional lifts to watch the trial take place…until Umbridge attempts to escape. Guests then join Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and a house-elf named Higgledy in a thrilling chase that will propel them 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.

Le Cirque Arcanus

For the first time ever in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, guests will enjoy a live, full-scale theatre experience in the heart of the land with Le Cirque Arcanus. This show features live performers and aerialists, puppetry, pecial effects and more to take guests on a whirlwind journey where they’ll encounter fantastic beasts like never before. 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

Guests can 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 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.


Entertainment

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 Aurorfrom 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.

Guests can also enjoy international fare and shop for souvenirs and merchandise during their visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic at highly-themed dining and retail locations, including:

  • Café L’Air De La Sirène – A wonder of French architecture adorned with 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 find 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! Guests can stop by the Bièraubeurre cart during their visit to Place Cachée for a frosty, delicious mug of the fan-favorite beverage.

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.

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sedati2 hours ago

I'm well aware of their purpose, but as the Universal design team supposedly is as well, this is poor design/layout. Nets are a lazy compromise just as tarps are a lazy solution to shade (I'll fault Disney in this as well with random umbrellas being the absolute laziest.)

Rich Brownn10 hours ago

Not according to universal. They already stated before park opens

TalkToEthan12 hours ago

Hmmmmm??? ……….do you mean water proof tarps or actual netting……..I suppose an extra fine net(something like a fine mesh strainer) would greatly help but not completely protect bystanders.

Baloo12423 hours ago

We demand nothing but the finest of product, you silly person.

mkt1 day ago

The key to winning is which park will have the greatest number of regulars at the bars. According to my wallet, it's currently a three-way tie between 1- Rose and Crown 2- Finegans 3- Baseline

Jrb19791 day ago

They did say they are going to be offering single day Epic tickets soon. My bet is after the park opens that will happen.

lazyboy97o1 day ago

You cannot own a concept, even with patents which only last 20 years. Universal Studios Moscow was supposed to have a non-coaster and fast Fast & Furious attraction.

TalkingHead1 day ago

Tbf everybody’s hating on the admission setup.

drkarcher221 day ago

I have to assume that Disney own the concept of Slot Car rides because it seems like the most obvious thing for a Fast & Furious ride. Other than the obvious budget restrictions of just taking a section of the Tram tour and dropping it in Orlando

Jrb19791 day ago

Is there anything you like about this new park? You hate on the theme, you hate on the ticket setup.

TalkingHead1 day ago

Looking at ticketing for this park is like a game of how many rakes can Comcast step on?

TheCoasterNerd1 day ago

It could also be because of the ride model. This is just a guess, but maybe they think the spinning system is more likely to knock stuff out of pockets etc. Click the spoiler for the (gross) other option Other option is they think the spinning model is more likely to make guests puke so they put the nets there to try and prevent those below from getting soaked in the stuff

DarkMetroid5671 day ago

But even with that in mind it’s quite bizarre. There are many rides that get closer to guests and don’t require the Alpine Coaster-esque nets that Werewolf is getting.

TheCoasterNerd1 day ago

I get your joke, but in case you weren't aware the netting is there to prevent items which fall off the ride from hitting guests below. Hence why they "overuse" nets - they have to. Just like Busch Gardens or Universal do when their rides cross guest areas. Of course, you're not supposed to bring on loose items, but if you do anyways, this is to catch them and prevent injury.