Ministry of Magic Wizarding World of Harry Potter Land at Universal’s Epic Universe Reveal
Universal Orlando Resort has shared a first look at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic land at Epic Universe, their third theme park in Florida that opens in 2025. This sneak peek shares concept art & info about rides, restaurants, retail and everything else in the upcoming Paris-meets-London, Fantastic Beasts-meets-Harry Potter area of the park.
Epic Universe is Universal Orlando Resort’s third theme park, just down the road from Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, as well as Volcano Bay Water Park. Once fully built out, the new theme park campus would essentially double Universal Orlando Resort’s existing footprint. It won’t be that big in 2025–that build out is years, if not decades, down the road.
Epic Universe will transport guests to expansive worlds featuring more than 50 experiences that include attractions, entertainment, dining and shopping to create an unforgettable adventure located at Universal Orlando Resort. For a big picture overview of the entire park, see our Universal’s Epic Universe Preview, which unveiled all of the lands and much more. Against that backdrop, let’s introduce the last land at Epic Universe: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic…
Your introduction to this new world comes in the form of a structure you spot from beautiful Celestial Park (the hub of Universal Epic Universe). You’ve been wandering through its astral-themed gardens when you notice a towering hand unmistakably holding a wand…this must be the portal you’ve been seeking.
Upon entering, it’s immediately clear you’re in a new place and time. Pass under the Phoenix Arch and you’ll find yourself in Place Cachée, a pocket of Paris catering to the witches and wizards of the 1920s! The bustling stone streets ahead are lined with shops, cafés and a series of banners advertising Le Cirque Arcanus — all beckoning you for a visit.
Here’s a video from Universal Orlando introducing the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic:
“It’s really a new look for the wizarding world,” explains Scott Verble, executive producer for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. “This is a more refined, Parisian take.”
To construct this full-scale thoroughfare, the team took inspiration directly from the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise and even visited the sets of the second film installment, “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.” “We worked with the production designers of the films,” Scott continues. “For a film you’re designing for specific shots, but within a theme park — we have to be sure that it’s designed for any shot.”
Immersion truly is the name of the game. Scott and his team have been tirelessly working to make sure everything guests feel, see, taste and even hear is congruent not only with 1920s Paris, but with the experience of a witch or wizard. “We’ve recorded these little vignettes and stories to kind of populate our French city with French wizarding people. So if you’re stopping by a storefront, you might overhear the storekeeper talking to clients or you might overhear some gossip.”
Let’s take a look at everything the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic has to offer…
Le Cirque Arcanus Stage Show
You follow the banners to this first-of-its-kind live show, of course! Once the premiere showcase of magical creatures from around the globe, Le Cirque Arcanus has fallen out of favor. Ringmaster Skender seeks a reinstitution of the glory days, having finally accomplished his quest to obtain magizoologist Newt Scamander’s famed suitcase filled with the beings who would go on to inspire a seminal wizarding text (and required for Hogwarts students in Harry’s first year), “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.”
Walking into the theater, you instantly recognize that this show has no metaphorical fourth wall. You are a member of the wizarding community just like the people — and yes, beasts — who will soon populate the stage.
Universal Creative asked itself how to bring the guests to that circus and put on a spectacular production in a way that makes it feel like it’s real and happening in front of you? The answer includes a combination of live performers, puppets and special effects. The resulting production utilizes a variety of ‘invisible’ technology, including mixed media, physical props, and a combination of the two.
Fans of the franchise will recognize familiar faces: a Demiguise, Zouwu, Kelpie, Mooncalves, and even Scamander himself are all scheduled to appear. But the audience will also be endeared to a new character: protagonist Gwenlyn, a squib and assistant to Skender.
Ministry of Magic Character Interactions
The characters of the wizarding world aren’t contained to its shows and attractions. You might bump into fascinating witches and wizards on the streets. The entertainment program at Universal Epic Universe has been elevated across the board in terms of innovation, technology and diversity.
Magical creatures will have found their way into shop windows, nooks and crannies, ready to interact. Overall, the world contains some of the smallest animated figures Universal Creative has ever developed, as well as some of the largest.
Ministry of Magic Environmental Interactions
One of the wizarding world’s most charming qualities is the breadth of its vitality. The fact that inanimate objects seemingly come to life in the edges of nearly every frame never ceases to delight. That will be the case in Universal Epic Universe, as well.
For the first time, you will be able to speak to various talking portraits and receive real, personalized replies. And you’ll be able to sharpen your spell-casting skills with amazing new interactive wand experiences as you explore the streets of wizarding Paris, interacting with fantastic beasts and revealing hidden surprises.
Café L’air De La Sirène Restaurant
One of the more refined dining options, Café L’air De La Sirène will serve French-inspired cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The interior will be a feat of architecture, adorned with carved marble and art nouveau mosaics featuring stunning period interpretations of witches and wizards. Even the ceiling detail features thoughtful design of flora and fauna from the wizarding world. Improbably towering displays of croquembouches provide a glimpse of dessert while you dine on baked goods, sandwiches and plats du jour.
With two distinct outdoor seating areas, you can also get the full Parisian street café experience, which should be atmospheric for both dining guests and passers-by.
More Ministry of Magic Dining
Bièraubeurre Cart – No visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is complete without Butterbeer! Guests can stop by the Bièraubeurre cart during their visit to Place Cachée for a frosty, delicious mug of the fan-favorite beverage.
Bar Moonshine – American witches and wizards can enjoy a taste of home at Bar Moonshine, where they’ll find exclusive beers, wines and cocktails served amid U.S. Quidditch team pennants and other items of wizarding Americana.
Le Gobelet Noir – In the shadowy corners of Place Cachée is a mysterious timeworn auberge, where international Dark witches and wizards gather to escape the prying eyes of the Paris Ministry and have a hearty meal over hushed conversation. Menu offerings include starters such as soups and salads as well as a variety of entrées and desserts.
Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magiques Shopping
In Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magiques, you’ll find delicately crafted, exquisite wands designed by Acajor herself. You may be used to the haphazardly teetering piles at Ollivanders Wand Shop, but Acajor’s establishment has a more refined interior befitting of her own elegance.
Specializing in different wand cores than her British wand master counterparts, she considers her wands works of art and only sells product of the highest standard. Ornate wand arrangements seem to hover in the air, forming a centerpiece above the displays where her signature triangular packages are neatly stacked.
A quick note for Ollivanders fans: while Acajor’s exclusive line is the main feature here, you will also find plenty of British wand imports.
Entering the British Ministry of Magic
Experiencing the 1920s has been a dream, but it’s past time we caught up with some old friends, isn’t it? Let’s head into the Paris Métro-Floo station and travel to 1990s London.
Once inside, take in your Art Nouveau surroundings and follow the signs down hallways lined with white tile before you’re directed to step into a large Métro-Floo fireplace before you are engulfed in magical green flames. You will emerge at your destination and see that you’re no longer in Paris. A familiar and breathtaking grand atrium greets you and you know your journey has been a success.
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry Ride
Much like with Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, the queue for Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry will be an attraction unto itself. “When the guests walk into the Ministry for the first time, that sense of scale is established, and that scale is consistently held through the entire experience,” Scott illustrates.
The setup for the Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry is that shortly after the Battle of Hogwarts, order has been restored in the Ministry of Magic and Lord Voldemort’s followers are being held accountable for their crimes. One such accused is none other than Umbridge herself, and guests are here for the crucial day of her trial.
Upon arrival, guests will enter the Ministry’s jaw-dropping grand atrium and venture through other departments before boarding magical, omnidirectional lifts to watch the trial take place…until Umbridge attempts to escape. 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 more along the way.
Turning to commentary, I am admittedly the wrong person to offer thoughts when it comes to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. As previously mentioned, I’m beyond excited for Dark Universe because I was one of the couple dozen people hyped for Universal’s abandoned Dark Universe cinematic universe. Ditto Super Nintendo World, as I’m a big fan of the video games–even if we’ve already done the versions of the lands in Hollywood and Japan. I’m even looking forward to How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk despite never having seen the movies–because dragons and vikings are universal.
But I’m completely out of my element when it comes to Harry Potter, and there’s no faking it. Without Googling anything, I’m pretty sure this land itself revolves around the spin-off movies with Eddie Redmayne and Johnny Depp (until he became persona non grata). I saw about 20 minutes of the first Fantastic Beasts on an airplane once before falling asleep. Seemed fine.
When it comes to anything Harry Potter, my concessions of ignorance are always met with its many fans imploring me to read, watch, or play (there was a video game last year that a few friends loved). Please don’t do that. I’ve tried. I was born too early and missed the Harry Potter hype train, and I’ve come to terms with that. I can very much appreciate that others love it, and am not trying to deny there’s something special about Harry Potter.
To the contrary, I know that there must be. A legion of diehard fans who are this passionate about something doesn’t happen by accident or dumb luck. (It’s so played out to be dismissive of a fandom you don’t understand, pretending like they are the odd ones–I hate when critics do that to Disney, and I wouldn’t do it to another group.)
When it comes to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, I long ago learned that I’m just along for the ride. I have absolutely no idea what’s going on, backstory-wise, in these lands. I still love them. You’ve got dragons and magic and owls and London…what’s not to love? I know others get so much more out of them, but I still find these to be among the most compelling theme park lands on the planet.
I also think that Diagon Alley iterated on and improved on the concept that debuted in Hogsmeade nicely, somehow surpassing its predecessor with the more iconic location. I have high hopes that’ll once again be true with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic despite my perception (misconception?) that it’s using the “table scraps” of the movie IP. I think what really matters is what Universal Creative has learned in the years since Diagon Alley, how they put that expertise to use, and how well the land is budgeted.
Even if the movies and characters aren’t as good, it doesn’t actually matter. Both Disney and Universal have proven time and time again that they can create compelling lands and attractions with unpopular or unknown intellectual property (or even none at all–imagine that!). Pandora is not a brilliant land because of Avatar, etc.
In this case, I think the Ministry of Magic land looks like it’ll be beautiful thanks because it uses 1920s Paris and a circus of mythical creatures (really hope there are griffins!), and not necessarily because of the Fantastic Beasts or Harry Potter. Fans of those franchises will get more out of it, sure, but Paris is a pretty iconic setting in its own right. Like dragons and vikings, Parisian architecture, magic and mythical creatures are fairly universal and have their own appeal irrespective of intellectual property.
Turning to the substance of the land, I love the way Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic looks. There’s a certain je ne sais quoi about Paris–a magic, if you will. You might’ve seen the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics; if so, you already know this. (If not, I’d recommend Midnight in Paris, a great movie set in 1920s Paris.) I’d hazard a guess that’s heightened in the 1920s and with the Fantastic Beasts franchise literally revolving around magic.
The atmosphere comes through even in the concept art–I have high hopes that Universal Creative will nail it. The only “problem” that I can think of is that I’ll want to spend time after dark in both Dark Universe and Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic…and it’ll be tough to choose which to do. (Safe to say that a land based on the City of Lights will look better at night.)
Even after reading the description of Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, I’m still not sure what to expect…but I’m excited for it. The concept art reminds me of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey meets Tower of Terror, which sounds awesome to me. None of the Harry Potter rides have ever let me down, and I assume this will be no different.
Just the setup of a Paris Métro station sounds amazing, and I’m a sucker for anything involving trials. This should be awesome. The Ministry of Magic ride wasn’t even on my radar before–probably should’ve been–but now it’s right behind Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment as my most-anticipated attraction in Epic Universe.
Yet again, the bottom line is that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic is yet another land reveal at Epic Universe that looks fantastic–so far, Universal Creative is batting 1.000 with these reveals, and although I still think Dark Universe looks like the land to beat, these have somehow gotten progressively better.
It’s like Universal was saving the best two for last, and then put Ministry of Magic in the final spot not because it’s necessarily #1 (although maybe it is!), but because of synergy with the Paris Summer Olympics. Either way, if Disney wasn’t ‘losing sleep’ over Epic Universe before…maybe that’s changed at least a little bit since the reveals of Dark Universe and Ministry of Magic? Epic Universe could very well open with a better set of headliners than Shanghai Disneyland, which is really saying something.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you think of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic? Impressed by the ride, stage show, restaurants, interactivity, etc. in this Epic Universe land reveal? Thoughts on the look and atmosphere of 1920s Paris? Excited most for Super Nintendo World, Harry Potter’s Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe/Classic Monsters, or the How to Train Your Dragon lands and/or attractions? Think Epic Universe will be a third gate that’s a worthy addition to Universal Orlando Resort…and potentially on par with Disney’s best lands? Expect Disney to “respond” with a big announcement of its own at the 2024 D23 Expo? Any questions? We love hearing from readers, so please share any other thoughts or questions you have in the comments below!
2 of my kids, who almost 16, were into Harry Potter as younger kids, but have pretty much moved on from that. My 12 year old does not like Harry Potter and honestly I don’t see too many people his age really into the books anymore. I never have cared for the stories and was too old to read them at that time. I labeled them as kids books in my 20s. My husband says they are meh stories. He’s enjoys fantasy stories, so I was surprised at his opinion. More Harry Potter does not really encourage me to want to spend much time at Universal. It’s one of the reasons we haven’t been to the one in Florida. My kids want to do the Nintendo area and they like Marvel. So we may be planning a trip to California for DL and Universal there. We may skip over the Harry Potter area in Universal, unless my 2 oldest want to relive a little nostalgia from their childhood.
Most anticipated rides ranked
1. Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
2. Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
3. Mine Kart Madness
4. Mariokart Bowsers Fury
5. Curse of the Werewolf
6. Hiccups Wing Gliders
7. Fire Drill
8. Yoshi’s Adventure
9. Constellation Carousel
10. Stardust Racers
11. Dragon Racers Rally
This land isn’t JUST the Fantastic Beast series that you call “table scraps;” the British Ministry of Magic (which contains the ride) features very heavily in the original HP series, particularly The Order of the Phoenix/Book 5. When Universal quizzed fans after the hugely successful opening of WWOHP/Hogwarts/Hogsmeade in 2010 about what they would like to see next, the top answers were Gringotts/Diagon Alley, Forbidden Forest, & the Ministry of Magic, and now they’ve delivered on all, with Paris thrown in as a bonus. I can’t imagine how one reader felt disappointment with the first two lands (though I do get it with Hagrid’s motorcycle ride through the Forbidden Forest), and can’t wait for Epic Universe as a whole, including this & Dark Universe especially. The one thing I don’t understand is why they don’t have Jacob’s bakery for snacks. Maybe it will be there.
The actual land is all Fantastic Beasts, right? That’s what I’m referring to as table scraps–and, as noted, it’s entirely possible I’m wrong.
Personally, as someone with zero attachment to any of this, I think it’s brilliant to use 1920s Paris as a setting (which I gather isn’t part of Harry Potter?), which will resonate with people regardless of IP familiarity. In addition to that, also having the Harry Potter characters in the ride via time travel or whatever is savvy. Best of both worlds kinda deal. I wish Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge would embrace the same.
Before this week, my understanding was that the amount of “Fantastic Beasts” content had been toned down during development and more elements of “Harry Potter” had been added. This announcement describes a land that leverages a lot more of the historical “Fantastic Beasts” France and less of the modern-day “Beauxbatons Academy of Magic” Alumni Association that I was expecting, at least outside the one ride called “Harry Potter.”
Even if it’s less of what I was expecting, the Art Nouveau of 1920s Paris should contrast quite well with the Victorian influences of Celestial Park, intentional or not.
You can’t use the excuse you were too born early. Im older than you probably by 20 years and I have read all the books many times and love them. If you don’t care for Harry Potter and it’s just not your cup of tea, that’s fine. But don’t try to say it’s because of your age, like you are too sophisticated for it. Harry Potter transcends age.
I’m not too sophisticated for anything. I like some really stupid stuff; I’m hardly high-brow. I’d think that the existence of this blog would prove as much.
A better explanation would be that, at the height of Harry Potter’s popularity, I was in school and reading a lot for that. I didn’t really read much for pleasure for over a decade because it was about the last thing I wanted to do once done with required reading.
Clara, you sound like a real dementor at parties 😉
I’m mostly meh, and I’m a huge Harry Potter fan. Firstly, I think the spin-offs suck. Though I’m hopeful maybe the Ministry of Magic will make up for that element. But the biggest reason I’m not excited? Universal totally let me down with their current HP lands. I was so so excited and they’re just…overall not that great. Sure, there’s some fun little elements in Diagon (like the dragon) but overall the scale is weird (the castle is TINY, there’s no real shift between a Jurassic Park and rounding that bend into Diagon) and you can see The Simpson’s land from the Order of the Phoenix HQ. I thought the walk-through queue for Gringott’s was probably the best thing generally (and the merch, though it’s stupidly expensive), and the ride was sort of fun. Hagrid’s is okay. But that’s basically it. I was really disappointed.
So like another person who commented here, I won’t hold my breath. Doesn’t matter how much the execs big it up – I want it to actually be epic.
I did Universal for the first time after 10 days at Disney World (first time too) and I genuinely wanted to go back to Disney instead. And like for like, a universal leg of the stay was way more expensive. Disney is completely immersive in a way that Universal wished it was – Galaxy’s Edge stunned me (and I am not a Star Wars fan). No matter where you looked you were kept in the bubble and not jolted out like you are in Universal. Disney cares about all the senses – why does everything smell so great?! And the attention to detail is superb. Not to mention character interactions and themed food. For the record, Universal food SUCKS. The food in the Three Broomsticks was terrible and not remotely like the food we get over here in England.
I’ve been to the HP studio tour (London) multiple times and it absolutely knocks the socks off of Univeraal’s HP lands. It’s not a theme park, no, but they truly keep you engaged and submerged in all things HP. And the scales make sense. If they got it right for the movies why didn’t they get it right for the park?
I will give EPIC a chance (I reckon I’ll like the Monsters land the best but I’m not expecting amazing things overall regardless). I hope they have learned.
I guess to each their own, but I have no priors with Harry Potter but absolutely love the lands. They’re the best things Universal Creative has ever done, offering immersive and multi-sensory experiences like the best of Disney’s lands. Super Nintendo World is different, but I still don’t think it reaches the high bar set by Diagon Alley.
Otherwise, I agree with a lot of what you’re saying in comparing Disney to Universal…and I think this is something that’s overlooked by fans who spend a ton of time at Walt Disney World and very little at Universal (or who have never been to the latter). I just don’t think WWoHP is a good example of those shortcomings!
Maybe because you are old? The Harry Potter lands are pretty amazing- my kids loved it as did my wife and I. Like seriously I don’t know what you were expecting
Wow, I completely disagree. It is good we are allowed to have different opinions. Your comments feels very bias. If you were disappointed with the HP lands, what would have made them better? To me, they are way more immersive and detailed than Galaxy’s Edge and by a long shot. Galaxy’s Edge was created by Disney in an effort to counter/compete with the HP lands, they were that good. I’d say, next time you go, go with an open mind. Attempt to not compare and just enjoy. Give Universal it’s due. You can like both, no one here will judge you less for it.
I’m not sure how much more of an open mind than ‘I bloody love HP and I can’t wait for this!’ I could have gone with. Sometimes something doesn’t work for a person, for whatever reason. Thank goodness we all have differences!
It’s always fascinating to me when people can’t accept others disagree with them.
(Comment not directed to you, Tom, just to some of the other funny comments.)
I accept that people can disagree. Totally willing to just agree to disagree. I’m in my 50’s, read HP as an adult and my son read the books at the same age as the characters and we love HP and have always been blown away by the lands. I really like GE at Disney but somehow the HP lands seem more “alive” to me. The one part of your post I can’t quite understand is the “hope Universal learned” statement. Learned what? Fine if it’s not your cup of tea but the two HP lands are by far the most popular part of either Universal park. By far. On any given day there you will see numerous people wearing robes that they have spent around $200 on and doing some minor cosplay; even in the FL heat. The gift shops basically print money for Universal. What do they need to learn?
I have great news for you Tom. You’ll get a chance to experience the Harry Potter ride as your kid grows up.
I also missed the Harry Potter train growing up and didn’t really care. But I tackled Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone with my young son (when he was just a bit too young for it) and we climbed the Everest of book series one book at time. I read them out loud at bedtime even after he had learned to read. His scream of triumph when we finished the last book and I repeated my promise that NOW we could visit Universal was pure joy. Mostly made the endeavor worthwhile and I appreciate the books and the parks a lot.
(I’m now reading the series again to my younger kid. Honestly it’s a slog and she’s already been on all the rides, but WE WILL FINISH. Starting book 6 now.)
So don’t write the series off for yourself just yet.
10,000x yes.
YUP!
I somehow missed this comment yesterday (sorry), but thanks for that touching anecdote. It resonates already, because we’ve been sharing our favorite kids books with her. Harry Potter sounds like a great series to share with kids as they grow up–and I hope to have a similar journey with Harry Potter.
Perhaps it’s better that I missed it before!
I have to echo the other comments, Tom. I’m not a fantasy person and I was an adult when HP came out. But we made spring break plans a few years ago with our boys to visit Universal. Two weeks out, I decided to get up to speed on HP and crash read the books (was in book 5 by the time we go there). I was hooked as a fan. I do recommend trying out HP when you can share it with your child. There are several books I missed as a kid that I read with my boys, where were really good.
Watching the video and reading this article have me in a very weird place emotionally.
I know this is going to sound crazy, but here it is.
I came to a realization this morning that I previously didn’t think was possible:
There’s literally nothing Disney could announce that would make me as excited as this announcement did.
Like … literally nothing.
The creative execs interviewed were speaking in terms that are low-key revolutionary but they said them as if it’s standard practice. Things like “we rebuilt multiple streets from Pars to scale,” or “we did everything we can to ensure that this feels as immersive as possible.” Can anyone here honestly say you believe this thought process exists current day at WDW? Instead of “let’s see how quickly and cheaply we can do something to placate the guests while removing perks and services that have been included in the price for many years,” UOR execs seem to be trying as hard as they can to take their time and execute as flawlessly as possible.
Nobody is a bigger Disney fan than me. I just can’t say with any sincerity that I believe Disney will allow the Imagineers to execute a new build to this level of immersion, excellence and intentionality.
Oh … and let’s keep in mind that the Ministry of Magic is only one of the many lands at Epic Universe.
All that to say, I kinda feel like I’m waking up today realizing I’ve been in a toxic relationship for many years and even though I knew it was happening I had so many layers of denial in place that I was able to gloss over the obvious red flags that were right in front of me, yet today someone I also care about did something super healthy, which only served to highlight how unhealthy my relationship is.
I can’t agree here. My uncle is a retired Disney exec and when you learn how they made so much of it, it’s miraculous.
I heard so much hype about the other HP lands that I was overly excited to visit and was disappointed at their size and experience. Until it’s open and I can see first person POV videos (till I visit) that validate all they’re planning… I’ll hold my expectation so I’m not again underwhelmed. We will be visiting Epic in Sept 2025 while staying at Disney; hoping it opens in May sometime so crowds will be a little less.
I’d like more micro details, too, as much is still vague. I cannot ride nearly anything at Universal so shows and immersion are all I attend for, and I would like to have opportunities to engage like other visitors.
It’s not so much that the execs don’t have passion for the projects. I absolutely believe they do. It’s more that lately (since Pandora?) there is a massive difference between what is promised and what is delivered. We’ll get these amazing Steve Jobs-level presentations at D23 or some other similar event, but then three years later when the resort/ride/restaurant/experience is delivered, it’s a feeble shell of what was presented. I absolutely don’t blame the Imagineers, and while it’s convenient and fun to blame Umbrella Bob, it can’t all be his fault either since he’s been gone for long enough now that whatever damage he caused could have been at least mostly reversed by now. I think there’s a pervasive mindset at WDW Parks, Resorts and Experiences that we the consumer are so loyal and so obsessed and so “bought in” that we’re willing to keep spending and showing up regardless of the product that we’re presented. I think that worked to an extent for the last several years (cough cough Runaway Railway cough cough Avengers Campus cough cough) but every time Epic Universe puts out one of these walkthrough videos, I find myself wondering why Disney can’t deliver anything like that anymore? It’s not that they can’t. They absolutely can. It’s just that they won’t, which makes the frustration much greater.
The scale of the land looks insane. My family does all like/love the Potter movies and films but that aside we love Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley because they are fun places to visit. We, generally speaking, like to do fun things on our family vacations and the new land looks like there will be a lot of fun to be had. I am very excited to hear the initial reviews, so far all of the reveals have exceeded my expectations.
Synergy with both the Paris Summer Olympics and July 31 being Harry Potter’s birthday—a nice bit of “capitalist kismet”!
“I have high hopes that’ll once again be true with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic despite my perception (misconception?) that it’s using the “table scraps” of the movie IP.”
I’m a fellow millennial but I FULLY rode the HP hype train (as far as an appearance on the Oprah show, the highlight of my young life). And I must admit, I do not get as excited about the Fantastic Beasts movies or the “table scraps” IP here as you correctly dub it, but I’m also excited for this land. Maybe not as much as Dark Universe, which is still very much my number one, but I completely agree with your point about amazing theme park lands being born out of practically anything. Both Universal and Disney have proven in the past they can make a feast out of table scraps.
I *am* a big Harry Potter fan, and have to say this is the one Epic Universe reveal that has left me mildly disappointed (emphasis on mildly). I don’t love the mixing of the timelines, which feels like it was a bit of a pivot once it became clear that the Fantastic Beasts franchise was not going to reach the same box office and pop culture heights as Harry Potter.
That said, I expect I will not care or think too much about any of that when I’m actually in the land. The architecture looks amazing and just wandering the streets will count as a major attraction for me. I have very high hopes for the stage show, especially after seeing the already realized How to Train Your Dragon show from China. The table service cafe is right up my alley decor and cuisine wise. I’m already anticipating the “wow” moment of entering the Ministry of Magic lobby as part of the ride queue, and I am pumped to experience whatever this ride system is.
tl/dr Universal, take my money now!
I love the Harry Potter books and movies… and Fantastic Beasts bore me. But this land looks like a way more interesting version of EPCOTs France pavilion, combined with a stunning ride. So I am super-excited for this land – the other two Harry Potter lands are the best theme park lands in the US, and even it doesn’t measure up to Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, I expect to thoroughly enjoy it. I’m already planning my first two trips, which is actually hard since we don’t even know when they open.
I can’t decide if the mixing of 1920s Paris with 1990s London via the Floo Network is brilliant or forced. Guess I’ll just have to make a visit to find out!
Also, the Ministry of Magic announcement on Harry Potter’s birthday? Nice touch, Universal.
Wow, I am now EVEN MORE excited by our next trip there (when our daughter is 11). Umbridge goes on trial! Yesssss!!!
I won’t tell you to read or watch, but I will tell you that you are not too old! There’s no way you’re older than me and I am one of those die-hard fans you speak about. I started reading the books in college and fell hard. Thanks for your analysis as always!
Tom, I was born in 1980 and didn’t enter the world of Harry Potter until my mid-30s. And I’m so glad I did! Not trying to prosyletize, but the books are amazing, and the movies do a pretty good job at adaptation, though a lot of course is lost (English major speaking here).
We were on the fence of having kids or not having kids for a long time (while visiting Disney and Universal as DINKs), but what sold it was seeing a family with two little girls on the train from DA to Hogesmeade. They had on their robes and scarves, and one of the girls asked “Is now the time to eat our chocolate frogs?” And her mom said, yes, now is the perfect time.
It really melted our hearts, which is what the best of all these parks can do, especially in a fractured and fractious world. And yes our decision to have a daughter a few years later was about much more than this moment, but we still talk about the moment as a turning point, which I think is a testament to how Imagineering and its Universal counterpart can really affect and inspire us.
The Fantastic Beasts movies are definitely snoozeworthy, but the construction of the land looks incredible. I’m not mad about the melding of two different worlds via floo. Seems pretty cool. My wife hates the Kuka arm on Forbidden Journey, so I’m hoping this one is a bit smoother.
Again, Tom, you’re the best out there, and I often tell my wife we share the same brain many times. Don’t count out HP for Megatron. They are timeless tales on scale with Star Wars. But of course, books first!
“Don’t count out HP for Megatron.”
I’m definitely not counting anything out. Whatever she likes, I will like. Whether that means reading a dozen Harry Potter books, learning about the history of unicorns, getting good at tennis, or whatever–so be it. I’ll do whatever!
That’s a really touching story about the WWoHP train ride with that family. Totally get what you mean.