Universal Orlando Resort’s Epic Universe, Including the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Now Open

by · May 26, 2025

This past week, MuggleNet had the opportunity to attend the media preview and grand opening of the new theme park at Universal Orlando Resort, Epic Universe, which includes the third Harry Potter–themed land, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, and officially opened to the public on May 22.

 

The main portal entrance to Epic Universe

The main portal entrance to Epic Universe. (Credit: Laurie Beckoff)

 

Epic Universe is home to five fantastical worlds in total: Celestial Park, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. The first two Wizarding World of Harry Potter lands, Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida, opened in 2010 and 2014, respectively. (Setting this new world in a separate park means that visitors who wish to experience all of the Potter areas must now purchase tickets for three different parks.)

Like all of the worlds contained within Epic Universe, the Ministry of Magic is accessed through a portal. This one is adorned with character wands (Harry Potter on one side, Fantastic Beasts on the other) and a Dumbledore quote from the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban film (“For in dreams we enter a world that is entirely our own”) and topped with a column ending in a hand holding the Elder Wand.

On Wednesday afternoon, one of the otherworldly denizens of Celestial Park kicked things off at the portal before a Demiguise appeared, trailed by students from Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Ilvermorny trying to complete a Care of Magical Creatures assignment. Warwick Davis (Professor Flitwick/Griphook), James Phelps (Fred Weasley), and Oliver Phelps (George Weasley) then came out to invite visitors into the magic contained within.

 

Warwick Davis, James Phelps, and Oliver Phelps at Epic Universe opening

Warwick Davis, James Phelps, and Oliver Phelps welcome visitors to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. (Credit: Laurie Beckoff)

 

Just past the portal are maps and an advertising column – a simple introduction, but like many aspects of the wizarding world, looks can be deceiving. Turn the corner, and there’s a grand arch leading to the bustling streets of wizarding Paris in the 1920s. Fans can spend hours exploring the details and trying the food as well as taking the Métro-Floo into the British Ministry of Magic to experience Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. The opening ceremonies closed with a nighttime firework and fountain show accompanied by music from each of the worlds, including the familiar soundtracks of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films.

Check out MuggleNet’s coverage on our Facebook and Instagram pages, and stay tuned for our upcoming reviews, interviews, and more about the new park.

Laurie Beckoff

My Harry Potter journey began in 2000 when I was six and continued through a bachelor's thesis and master's dissertation on medievalism in the series. I'm a Gryffindor from New York City with a passion for theatre, fantasy, Arthurian legend, and science fiction.