Universal Orlando Resort Unveils First Look at Harry Potter Ministry of Magic Attraction

Hoping to conjure a magical lift in attendance, Universal Resort Orlando announced new details for “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic” attraction, slated to open in 2025.

The new Harry Potter world will blend the environs of “wizarding Paris” and the British Ministry of Magic. According to Universal, guests will first journey from a Muggle park in Paris into the “breathtaking spectacle” of 1920s Place Cachée, described as a “hidden, bustling shopping district in wizarding Paris.” Then, they’ll be able to travel across time and space to 1990s London using the “Métro-Floo” (a mode of wizarding transit inspired by the Floo Network in the Harry Potter films) for an adventure set inside the Ministry of Magic.

The world’s marquee ride is “Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry,” which Universal claims will employ “first-of-its-kind ride technology” including “omnidirectional lifts.” After arriving in London via Métro-Floo, guests will enter the Ministry’s grand atrium and venture through other departments before boarding the ride to watch the trial of the villainous Dolores Umbridge — until Umbridge attempts to escape.

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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 other hazards.

In addition, the new attraction will feature Le Cirque Arcanus, with live performers and aerialists, puppetry, and more. As guests explore the streets of wizarding Paris, they can use their interactive wands to 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 and other areas throughout the Place Cachée.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic also will feature multiple themed dining and retail locations, including Café L’Air De La Sirène, Café L’air De La Sirène, Le Gobelet Noir, Bar Moonshine (featuring exclusive beers, wines and cocktails served amid U.S. Quidditch team pennants and other items of wizarding Americana), a Bièraubeurre Cart (serving, of course, Butterbeer), French confectionary K. Rammelle, and gift shops Les Galeries Mirifiques and Tour En Floo.

“The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic” is part of Universal Epic Universe, which will feature “more than 50 awe-inspiring attraction, entertainment, dining and shopping experiences” and “transform the award-winning resort into a weeklong vacation destination,” according to the company.

For the second quarter, revenue at Universal theme parks was down 10.6%, to $1.975 billion, while adjusted operating earnings were down 24%, according to parent company Comcast. One key factor affecting attendance at domestic parks “is the timing of our investments in new attractions, where we are light in Florida in advance of next year’s opening of Epic,” Comcast president Michael Cavanagh told analysts. In addition, “our lapping of Super Nintendo World in Hollywood is creating some headwinds for us as well.”

“While the parks results are below our original expectations for the year, we still view parks as a terrific long-term growth business for us,” Cavanagh said on Comcast’s Q2 call. He said the company expects Universal Epic Universe to have “a meaningful impact by driving incremental attendance, longer visits, and higher per-cap spending once the park opens in 2025.”

More details have been unveiled! Explore The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Ministry of Magic™, opening 2025 at Universal Epic Universe. #EpicUniverse

Visit the link for more: https://t.co/LjohgZKr2s pic.twitter.com/410WqLYxTD

— Universal Orlando Resort (@UniversalORL) July 31, 2024

Universal theme parks’ history with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter kicked off in 2010 with the opening of Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure and continued with the 2014 launch of Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida. Harry Potter attractions are featured at four destinations: Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Japan and Universal Beijing Resort.

Watch Universal Studios Florida’s promo video for “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – The Ministry of Magic,” developed by the Universal Creative team and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment:

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Martina Birk

Update: 2024-09-11

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