NEW Harry Potter Land Promises Groundbreaking Ride, Fantastic Beasts Stage Show

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was one of the most impressive additions to the Universal theme parks. The opening of these Harry Potter lands completely revolutionized Universal and began a strong uptick in attendance at both theme parks. Harry Potter is an extremely popular franchise so it's no surprise that its presence at Universal has been a huge success.

Universal Orlando's new Epic Experience theme park will include a brand new Harry Potter themed land which will join the existing two at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. One of Universal Orlando's most popular rides to date is Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure which just further demonstrates the strong popularity of Harry Potter in the theme parks.

Keep reading for everything we know about this newest Harry Potter land which will take inspiration from settings in the Fantastic Beast films and the Harry Potter series. As a huge Harry Potter fan, I am excited to report on this upcoming news and share my own speculation and hopes for this newest addition. Keep scrolling for the NEW FIRST LOOK at this Harry Potter land. 

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic

This new addition to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Epic Universe will blend the 1920s Paris from the Fantastic Beasts films with the British Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter series.

Before guests enter the portal into the land, they will journey from a Muggle park in Paris into the 1920’s Place Cachée.

If you look at the concept art above you can see an image of the Elder Wand over the entrance. The Elder Wand is featured in both Fantastic Beasts & Harry Potter so this is a nice way to incorporate the two series together.

The setting of this new land brings guests into the 1920's spectacle of “Place Cachée” – a hidden, shopping district in wizarding Paris lined with Haussmannian buildings, shops, sidewalk cafés, and historic Parisian domes rising in the distance. The land will feature the same ability for interactive wands and spells the other two wizarding lands in Universal offers. The preview video for the Ministry of Magic land discusses how the buildings in this space are some of the tallest Universal has ever done, this area promises to be on a scale never before seen at the Universal theme parks. 

If you want an idea of what the Harry Potter version of a magical 1920s Paris looks like, you can turn to the second film in the franchise: Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. While these films weren't nearly as successful as the original Harry Potter franchise, the settings in the films capture the essence of the Wizarding World and I am sure we will see this carry over into Epic Universe. I personally loved the first film out of the three and it's focus on Newt and his magical beasts. I hope those are the elements that are focused on in the land. 

Harry Potter and the Battle of the Ministry

The biggest draw in the new Harry Potter land is the Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry attraction. This e-ticket ride will combine massive environments, storytelling and “first-of-its-kind ride technology.” Universal is already saying that this will be one of its most impressive attractions to date. 

The ride begins when guests travel by “Métro-Floo” which is the form of wizarding travel inspired by the Floo Network seen in the films. Guests will travel from wizarding Paris to the British Ministry of Magic to battle the infamous Dolores Umbridge. Yes, the villain of this ride will be Dolores Umbridge first featured in the Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix films. This is one of the most iconic villains in the franchise. I love this idea to incorporate a different villain as Voldemort is already predominantly featured in the Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts attraction.

One of the main features of the attraction is the entrance into the ride itself as guests will get to enter the Ministry of Magic atrium and venture through Ministry departments before boarding the new attraction which will use “omnidirectional lifts.” Guests will watch the trial of Dolores Umbridge take place and then follow the story as she tries to escape. 

Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger are also featured in the ride. The classic trio is joined by a new character, a house-elf named Higgledy. The ride will be a “thrilling chase” that will “propel guests up, down, forward, backward, sideways” as they chase Umbridge through the Ministry. Guests will also be dodging attracks from Death Eaters, “rampaging creatures” and other obstacles as they chase down Umbridge.  

This ride sounds mindblowing and is easily going to be one of the most popular experiences at Epic Universe. 

Fantastic Beasts Live Show

The other main attraction featured in the Wizarding World of Harr Potter- Ministry of Magic, is the new Fantastic Beasts themed stage show. 

Le Cirque Arcanus will offer guests the first time ever experience in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to enjoy a live, full-scale theatre experience. This stage show features live performers, aerialists, skilled puppetry and amazing special effects. 

The show will follow the story of Ringmaster Skender, who has stolen Newt Scamander's suitcase, in an attempt to bring the circus back to life. Guests will see characters like Demiguise, Diricawl, Mooncalves and more during this performance. Gwenlyn, a circus employee characterized in the show, will attempt to rescue the creatures from Skender. 

This is going to be an amazing experience as Universal as continued to expand their live show entertainment experiences and focusing on Fantastic Beasts is a perfect way to fit those beloved creatures into the land. 

New Harry Potter Themed Shopping Experiences 

Guests can shop for wizarding gear and memorabilia in Les Galeries Mirifiques which will be the main feature store in the land. Other shops include a French confectionary store, K. Rammelle, along with Ministry of Magic inspired items at the Métro-Floo gift shop,Tour En Floo.

The land will also introduce a brand new place to purchase wands called Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique. This shop introduces a new wandmaker character, Cosme Acajor. Guests can shop popular imports from Ollivanders and find a selection of wands packaged in unique three-sided boxes – each containing a list of locations throughout the wizarding world where guests can practice casting spells.

Interactive Harry Potter Wands

One thing we can expect is another way to utilize the Harry Potter interactive wands! Both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando (plus Hogsmeade at Universal Studios Hollywood) all offer spots around the land to use the interactive wands.

There will be more wand spell spots added to the Epic Universe Harry Potter land. Since the interactive wands are so popular at Universal, it would be surprising if they did not incorporate a new interactive wand map into the land.

The interactive wands will allow guests to cast spells to interact with fantastic beasts like Nifflers, Bowtruckles and a Demiguise. Storefront windows will also feature new enchanted obhects and interactive moments.

Universal Orlando Discount Tickets

For the lowest prices on Universal Orlando tickets, book via Get Away Today. Their ticket prices are always the lowest publicly available discounts for the two parks. Buy discount Universal Orlando Tickets NOW >

You’ll want to consider the Park-To-Park tickets because they are the only way you are able to experience the Hogwarts Express. Also, with a Park-To-Park ticket, you’ll be able to avoid starting the day in the park with the biggest crowd prediction and then switch over to experience more across both parks.

If you are a member of an organization that may qualify for discount tickets or are interested in the Annual Pass option, you should read our guide to discount Universal Studios Orlando ticket options.

New Interactive Characters Created for Ministry of Magic Land

Guests will also get to encounter new characters created for the land as they explore the streets Place Cachée. These new characters will include other visitors, officials and residents from the wizarding world like exchange students from the Hogwarts and Ilvermorny Schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

A roaming Auror from the Ministère des Affaires Magiques de la France will be interacting with guests and “inquiring” of suspicious characters. There will also be talking portraits of wizards who engage with locals about the happenings in Place Cachée.

French Harry Potter Dining Options

There will be a few main dining experiences along with multiple food kiosks in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. 

Café L'Air De La Sirène (pictured above) pays homage to French architecture with carved marble and features details of fantastic beasts hidden in the tile and mosaic designs. This location offers French sandwiches, plats du jour and desserts.

Le Gobelet Noir is a “mysterious timeworn auberge” where international Dark withces and wizards hang out to avoid the Paris Ministry. The menu here offers starters such as soups and salads as well as a variety of entrées and desserts.

Bar Moonshine is where guests can find exclusive beers, wines and cocktails served amid U.S. Quidditch team pennants and other items of wizarding Americana.

And of course, guests can find frozen and regular Butterbeer at the Bièraubeurre Cart. 

Looking to Plan a Vacation to Orlando?

At Mickey Visit, we can help plan your next vacation to Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World. We offer a free newsletter to keep subscribers updated on theme park news. Also, our staff of writers remains in touch with the latest events at Universal Orlando Resort, Walt Disney World, and Disneyland Resort. For more information to help plan your next vacation, we placed links to more resources below.

• Universal Orlando Express Pass- SKIP the Lines
• Halloween Horror Nights- Best Hallowen Theme Park Experience
• Best Universal Studios Florida Rides
• Universal Islands of Adventure Rides Ranked