Photos: Universal Orlando unveils new Wizarding World – Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe

Dust off your baguettes, magiques and battered copies of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. A new Wizarding World of Harry Potter is opening soon in Orlando.

The third Wizarding World at Universal Orlando, Ministry of Magic, situated inside Epic Universe, is opening next year with five new lands accessible via an immersive portal. This magic-filled land is set in 1920s Paris and features iconic scenes, characters and creatures from the Fantastic Beasts film franchise.

Don’t worry, Harry Potter fans, the new Wizarding World will also have Universal’s most ambitious, ultra-high-tech ride yet — Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic

While the rest of the land is all 1920s wizarding Paris, a trip through giant Floo Flames-filled fireplaces in the Métro-Floo will take you to 1990s London. The British Ministry is built to an impressive scale that seems plucked straight from the Harry Potter film set.

The dark ride Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry is set shortly after the events of the final film and Voldemort’s defeat. Guests are transported via enchanted lift car to the trial of Dolores Umbridge, who is facing charges of numerous crimes to the wizarding world. When Umbridge tries to escape, guests join Harry, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and a house-elf named Higgledy on a chase through the ministry, fighting off Death Eaters and dodging creatures along the way.

Outside, Parisian streets are built to scale, including Place Cachée, the hidden wizarding district filled with shops, cafés and magical creatures. Faithfully-rendered Parisian architecture immerses guests in the era, including Haussmannian-style buildings and Parisian domes. There’s also plenty to see and hear with a combination of 1920s French and wizarding world music and sound effects.

Attractions

The main attraction in Place Cachée is Le Cirque Arcanus, a live theatre experience that brings to life some of the creatures and scenes from The Crimes of Grindelwald. Ringmaster Skender uses New Scamander’s stolen suitcase to try and bring his failing circus back to glory. Using aerialists, puppetry and special effects, guests will go on a mission with circus employee Gwenlyn as they try to keep creatures like Demiguise, Diricawl and Mooncalves out of Skender’s clutches.

Shopping, dining and more experiences

Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magiques: Yes, you read that right — wands are called baguettes magiques in French. Cosme Acajor is to Paris as Ollivanders is to London, so his shop is the place to go for the latest haute couture wand designs packaged in elegant three-sided boxes. Just like in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, interactive wands come with a map of locations around Place Cachée to practice spellcasting.

Speaking of casting spells, the streets of wizarding Paris are covered in spell spots and places to interact with Nifflers, Bowtruckles and a Demiguise.

Character experiences: Throughout Place Cachée, guests will encounter other visitors from around the wizarding world, including students from Britain’s Hogwarts and America’s Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You’ll also meet an Auror from the French ministry and talking portraits in shop windows.

Café L'Air De La Sirène: Snack on French sandwiches, plats du jour and desserts while basking in beautiful architecture and searching for fantastic beasts hidden among the tile and mosaic designs.

Le Gobelet Noir: Like Knockturn Alley, Place Cachée has its shadowy corners and a weathered auberge (lodge) for Dark wizards and witches. Le Gobelet Noir offers hearty starters, entrees and desserts.

Bar Moonshine: There’s an American sports bar opening in the French wizarding world. Bar Moonshine will have exclusive beers, wines and cocktails in a pub filled with U.S. Quidditch team pennants and other sporty, American wizarding world paraphernalia.

Bièraubeurre Cart: Butterbeer, meet Bièraubeurre. It’s the same Butterbeer, but French.

Shops: Les Galeries Mirifigues has wizarding clothing and collectibles, K. Rammelle is the spot for sweets and the Tour En Floo gift shop has Ministry of Magic souvenirs.

With only one ride, Universal seems to be leaning into the popular immersiveness of the Wizarding World lands in Epic Universe. The draws of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley aren’t just the Forbidden Journey and Escape from Gringotts rides. Though Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is, hands down, one of the best coasters in any Florida theme park.

Still, considering the scale of Epic Universe’s lands, it’s surprising there’s only one ride — albeit a huge, probably expensive one.

When Epic Universe opens in 2025, there will be four other themed lands beside the new Wizarding World — Super Nintendo World, The Isle of Berk: How to Train Your Dragon, Dark Universe and Celestial Park.

There are also two space-themed hotels and the in-park Helios Grand Hotel under construction at Epic Universe.