Gabrielle Russon
Universal’s Harry Potter expansion was a game changer in Orlando, with its Hogwarts Castle and Diagon Alley fueling the competition against Disney World.
Now, Universal wants magic to strike again at Epic Universe, with the Ministry of Magic thrill ride and a 1920s Paris that entertains with a full show based off the Fantastic Beasts movies.
Universal has released renderings and details about what Harry Potter fans can see at the new theme park being built from the ground up near the Orange County Convention Center. The Harry Potter land is one of Epic Universe’s five themed lands. The park is expected to open next year.
Walking through the land takes you into a full-scale, 1920s Paris, the setting of the Fantastic Beasts franchise, which serve as Harry Potter prequels.
“This is the biggest thing we’ve ever built. Our shortest building is taller than the tallest building in Diagon Alley,” said Eileen Stephens, a Universal Creative senior director, in a video released Wednesday that had nearly 30,000 views by midday.
What you’ll see are Haussmannian buildings, shops, sidewalk cafés and historic Parisian domes.
Butterbeer is, of course, on the menu. So are French sandwiches. A Parisian shop sells wands. And for entertainment, Universal is creating its first-ever full-scale indoor show with aerials, special effects and puppets in an indoor theater.
To transition into the next area, guests leave Paris through a tunnel using the Floo Network, which means walking through a fireplace and into an illusion of green flames, traveling the way wizards do.
You arrive at the Ministry of Magic, the British government offices that need someone to save it.
On the ride, the villain professor Delores Umbridge has just escaped before her trial and beloved Harry, Ron and Hermione are back to capture her. Visitors go on an elevator-style ride with Universal calling it the most ambitious ride their park designers have ever created.
“Harry Potter and the Battle of the Ministry is an amazing new attraction that represents the decades of innovation that Universal has created,” said Gary Blumenstein, a Universal Creative senior director.
