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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DarkMetroid5672 hours ago

I’m not going to attempt to justify Cosmic Rewind’s cost relative to Hagrid’s because yeah, it is insanely expensive, but things like theming and a pre-existing basement don’t come close to the costs of what large buildings require. The scale, permitting, etc. is totally different.

DarkMetroid5672 hours ago

Box expensive. And Guardians is a big box.

lazyboy97o1 day ago

It was extensively renovated.

TalkToEthan1 day ago

If by actually “in the ride” there are multiple locations: 1) the 3 separate large screen transmissions from of Rocket/Pratt, Gumorra, and Drax shortly after leaving load station and first ascension before jump point 2) the very end where vehicles move slow and turn to watch hologram of the Guardian clan. If by entire attraction then the queue line has countless opportunities; the “3 holding tanks” each have space. The queue line after “holding tanks” has easily enough space for AA’s

Misted Compass1 day ago

Didn't Hagrids mostly just reuse the Dueling Dragons queue?

lazyboy97o1 day ago

Know what else is expensive? Basements in Florida. And outdoor scenic elements with animation. And long indoor queues. The Cosmic Rewind show building is just a warehouse. It doesn’t even have a themed front. Yes there’s a cost but it’s a big version of the most basic typology.

JoeCamel1 day ago

Its a box

DarkMetroid5671 day ago

You’re comparing a completely indoor ride with a 90% outdoor one. Indoor expensive.

cheezbat2 days ago

Which is absolutely insane…no way this thing should’ve cost more than Hagrids. It’s nuts what Disney and universal can spend on a ‘themed coaster’…budgets are out of control.

Jayspency4 days ago

Maybe in the room after the final break run or in the starship before we enter the jump point but idk if they can anywhere else.

Stevie Amsterdam5 days ago

Yeah I get that, but I was wondering if it would be feasible / possible to install animatronics if Disney wanted too

rd8055 days ago

Seeing the ride is very popular, there's probably very little plus-ing that needs to happen for at least multiple years.

Stevie Amsterdam5 days ago

Regardless whether Disney would be willing to spend the money on it - but do you think it is feasible that animatronics could be installed in the ride? As in would there be space for it, inside the ride building?

McMickeyWorld8 days ago