Step into a world of Parisian magic and hidden evil at the all-new Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe. This all-new themed world coming to Epic Universe features the characters and settings from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films to tell new Wizarding stories. This article covers the new land, its attractions, shops, restaurants, and our TouringPlans Tips.

What is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic?

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic is a new theme park land (a “world” in Universal parlance) located in Universal Epic Universe and opens in 2025. The walkways, restaurants, and shops are themed to 1920s Wizarding Paris while the main ride, Battle for the Ministry, is set in Great Britain during the late 1990s.

Wizarding Paris features one thrill ride, one sit-down theatrical show, two quick-service dining locations, a dozen shopping locations, and lots of space to explore. Universal is promising this land raises the bar for themed entertainment in 2025 just as Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley did when they opened.

Overview of Wizarding World at Epic Universe

Tucked in the back right of Epic Universe, between How to Train Your Dragon – the Isle of Berk and the Helios Grand Hotel is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. This portal to this world is under a simple Roman column with a gilded hand holding a wand to the sky, with a rotating Time Turner above signaling we’re in for some timey wimey fun. Through the portal and past the monumental Phoenix Arch are the Parisian streets of Place Cachée, the wizarding shopping and dining district. Unlike other themed lands in other parks, this one is built to scale, with the imposing stone arch leading into full-sized Paris streets.

The streets are large, allowing for sidewalk entertainment and outdoor cafe seating at the land’s main restaurant, Cafe L’air de la Sirène. Front and center inside Place Cachée is the Circus Arcanus theatrical stage show with its iconic red tent that is bigger inside than outside. From there the land branches out in three directions – forward to shops; left to the Battle for the Ministry attraction; and right for interactive spaces, restaurants, shops, and the mysterious dark side of Port Cachée.

Wizarding World at Epic Universe Attractions

The Wizarding World at Epic Universe features two attractions: one is a high-tech thrill ride through the 1990s British Ministry of Magic and the other is a theatrical show set in a 1920s circus.

⭐️ Harry Potter and the Battle for the Ministry

Restrictions: Guests must be at least 40 inches (102 cm) tall to ride.
Ride Time: TBD

The star attraction of Epic Universe and Universal’s response to Disney’s Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance attraction, Harry Potter and the Battle for the Ministry is a high-tech thrill ride through the British Ministry of Magic as bad guys attack. The ride uses sophisticated vehicles capable of free motion like Spider-Man with the additional capability of vertical motion.

Taking place after the final Deathly Hollow movie, Battle for the Ministry sees us entering a MetroFloo, back to the future in Great Britain’s Ministry of Magic. In the late 1990s the true villain of the Harry Potter films, Dolores Umbridge, is finally standing trial for her crimes and plotting with Lord Voldemort. Upon departure from the Floo, we discover we’re in the iconic lobby of the Ministry of Magic, complete with the Wizard fountain, and dozens of ministry offices. Oversized posters proclaim today is the day of Dolores Umbridge’s trial. We make our way through the Ministry office spaces before boarding our own Ministry elevator for departure to the trial. Of course, something goes wrong.

Death Eaters arrive, free Umbridge, and soon it is a mad dash through the ministry to recapture the prisoner. Guests will come face to face with beasts and Death Eaters’ robotic figures as their elevator moves through the Ministry’s departments. Our goal is simple – work with Harry, Hermonie, and Ron to capture Umbridge for trial and prevent her from attempting to bring back Lord Voldemort. We expect Battle for the Ministry to be the super headliner attraction for Epic Universe and will see the longest lines at the park.

⭐️ Le Circus Arcanus

Restrictions: The show uses theatrical haze, strobe lights, and loud noises
Ride Time: TBD

The Circus Arcanus is the premier traveling Circus featuring wizards and magical creatures. Or, was the premier, as the circus has seen better, more prestigious days. This is why the ringmaster, Skender, decides to abscond with one Mr. Newt Skamander’s magical briefcase full of creatures. It is up to one of the circus employees, and us, to assist with rounding up the creatures and rescue them from the circus.

The show is Universal’s first stab at a large-scale Harry Potter stage show in a theater. Universal Creative is promising lots of puppetry, special effects, and live performers – we hope to see some favorite creatures like the Niffler and Hippogriff, and new ones from Fantastic Beasts like the Oni and Zouwu. If this all sounds Greek to you, don’t worry, the show is entertaining for all.

Paris Food & Beverage

What is a trip to Paris without sampling the cuisine? Place Cachée features two counter-service dining locations, one high-class class and the other an out of the way pub for wizarding’s more reclusive witches and wizards. ⭐️ Cafe L’air de la Sirène is a charming French cafe on the main street of Place Cachée, near the entrance to the land. The bright and airy cafe serves fresh pastries, sandwiches, and desserts. ⭐️ Le Gobolete Noir caters to a different crowd, those who would shop in the dark back allies of Paris instead of the bright streets. This small hole-in-the-wall tavern serves a “hearty meal” of “starters such as soups and salads as well as a variety of entrées and desserts”. ⭐️ Bar Moonshine is an American ex-pat bar serving beers, wine, and cocktails to traveling and local wizards alike. Of course, Butterbeer is served at all the restaurants and the ⭐️ Bièraubeurre Cart.

Shopping, Wands, & More

France is nothing but stylish and they have the shops to prove it.  Aspiring witches and wizards can make their way to ⭐️ Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique for new haut wand styles stored in new triangular boxes. If you’re looking for a new fit (read: outfit) swing by ⭐️ Les Galeries Mirifiques for a large selection of wizarding items while the ⭐️ Tour en Floo gift shop located in the British Ministry of Magic sells classic Harry Potter merchandise and acts as the Battle for the Ministry ride’s exit gift shop. ⭐️ Confiserie Enchantée de K. Rammelle is a confectionary shop serving bonbons, cauldron cakes, and chocolate frogs legs (not making this up). We expect several additional shops will be announced in the coming months leading up to the park’s opening.

Place Cachée is overrun with Fantastic Beasts, and you know where to find them! Interactive objects in windows and around the land react to spells cast by interactive wands purchased in Place Cachée, Diagon Alley, or Hogsmeade. Guests simply stand at a mark on the ground and perform the listed spell to witness themselves cast magic to reveal creatures and activate objects.

TouringPlans Touring Tips

• Harry Potter and the Battle for the Ministry will be the park’s flagship attraction and most popular ride. We expect it to have its lion’s share of technical issues in the first few years of operation. Experience first thing as the park opens or immediately before the park closes.
• At the time of writing it is unknown if Le Circus Arcanus runs continuously or at set show times. We suggest skipping the show and returning during the early afternoon.
• Wand stations remain very popular in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, we expect the same in Place Cachée. Save the magic spells till the late evening before the park closes.

Looking forward to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic? What are you most looking forward to? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!