Universal Orlando this morning confirmed details about the last remaining unannounced land at its upcoming Epic Universe theme park: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic.
As expected, the main attraction in the land will be Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry.
Epic Universe's land will be set in Paris from the "Fantastic Beasts" films, specifically "1920’s Place Cachée – a hidden, bustling shopping district in wizarding Paris lined with Haussmannian buildings, shops, sidewalk cafés, and historic Parisian domes rising in the distance," according to Universal.
Visitors will travel via "Métro-Floo" to the British Ministry in London for the trial of Dolores Umbridge. But, of course, she has escaped, so it is up to Harry, Ron, Hermione, a house elf named Higgledy and you, to capture her, riding the omnidirectional lifts from the Ministry in the Harry Potter films, "all while dodging attacks from Death Eaters, rampaging creatures and more along the way," according to Universal's press release.
Epic Universe also will feature the largest live show yet produced in any of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park lands - Le Cirque Arcanus.
This production will feature aerialists, puppetry and special effects to tell a story inspired by "Fantastic Beasts." Here is the set-up:
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.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic also will feature Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique as its Ollivanders-style wand shop, and wand interaction locations will be available throughout the land.
Restaurants in the land will include Café L’Air De La Sirène, serving French sandwiches, plats du jour and desserts.
A second eatery will be Le Gobelet Noir, a gathering place for Dark witches and wizards. The menu will include soups, salads, entrées and desserts.
The land also will include an American-themed Bar Moonshine and a Butterbeer cart - excuse me, a Bièraubeurre Cart.
Here is an animated fly-through the land, courtesy Universal:
Listen to Universal Creative designers talk about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic:
For the complete line-up of Epic Universe attractions and dining locations, please see our Visitors Guide to Universal Epic Universe.
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I can't post a meme but picture Fry with his hand out.
"Shut up and take my money!"
Universal Creative has done it again... and again.... and again.... WOW!
"Disappearo Crowdio!"
(Chuckle)
This looks amazing!
Here's hoping Epic Universe implements a reservation system for park entry.
Impressive, given how obviously it was going to be themed to the Fantastic Beasts movies, only for that series to peter out. So a good shift to this and looks a fun ride.
Can this land make the Fantastic Beasts series the next Waterworld?
Maybe the park will revive interest for the continuation of the FB series. I know initially there was supposed to be five films. I would love for them to at least make one more to wrap up the saga. Regardless, I am excited to walk through the forthcoming Wizarding World section. If it's as great as Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, I will LOVE it.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll continue saying it: the choice of IP doesn’t matter nearly as much as the execution of the attractions. Tower of Terror remains a top draw at Disney World 30 years later, even though 90% of the people riding it have probably never seen one episode of the original Twilight Zone.
And Disney's huge update - 'We redid Splash Mountain'
hahjahahahahahahahaahahahaha
I wonder if the Le Cirque Arcanus show will require a different paid ticket?
This looks absolutely brilliant! I went to USH this week and I must admit Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is really showing it’s age now. I have done a vlog from there and hope ok to post below here if you want to check it out!
https://youtu.be/8bA2daogbsk?si=Px3kwqo2kW22ivUL
@Emery: A week before D23 you want to call Splash "Disney's big announcement"?
Um ... okay.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just celebrate what Universal is doing without having it turn into an attack on Disney?
*sigh*
TH- They made the announcement on Harry Potter's Birthday
James- I would love that too
@MischiefManaged: I've been a Potter fan since around 1998. I know that HP (and JKR) share a July 31st birthday.
Also for MishchiefManaged: "JKR" stands for JK Rowling -- who is the author of the Potter book series.
TH- Yes, I know
Wow! Just like I knew that HP's birthday was July 31st!
TH Creative- I'm not sure why you are attacking me. I only commented that the announcement was made on Harry Potter's Birthday because you mentioned that you were a fan. My comment was totally innocent.
"Attacking" you? No. Just responding to your comment directed at me.
Also Dumbledore was the headmaster of Hogwarts
Even when TH lauds Universal he still manages to get into conflict with others lol.
This is probably my least interesting land from EU, just because let's face it WWHP is getting overused by Universal at this point, but also I'm not a fan so maybe that's why. The ride appears to be Forbidden Journey 2.0.
This does look great, and the show looks like an excellent use of the Cirque motif to fit within the WWoHP universe. I do worry that there is only 1 ride in this land, and that Universal is continuing to lean on wand interactions and shops to stand in as rides in their HP lands, which is fine and dandy if you're willing to pony up for a wand, but is a bit of a bummer if you don't have one or don't want to be fleeced for another $40 to enjoy a key feature of the land. Also, I don't see any information here about the wand technology in Ministry of Magic, because the rumor is that the new interactive stations will require next gen wands, meaning that if you have a wand from IOA/USF/USH, those won't work (or won't be completely compatible) with the interactive elements in Epic. However, the rumor is that the Ministry wands will be backwards compatible in IOA and USF (and USH).
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