Top Things Fans Can Look Forward to in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic

When I first interviewed to be a copywriter at Universal Orlando Resort back in 2014, I completely nerded out on all things Harry Potter and how excited I was at the prospect of getting to write about the wizarding world. Never did I imagine that I’d have the chance to go so in depth about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. And now I get to share what I’m most looking forward to at the upcoming The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic in Universal Epic Universe, opening May 22, 2025.

The world is set in 1920s wizarding Paris from the “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” franchise, with all its shops, cafés and magical creatures. Plus, you can take the Métro-Floo to 1990s Ministry of Magic London from the “Harry Potter” films, where you’ll make sure one of the wizarding world’s most notorious villains gets their comeuppance. (More on that later.)

There are so many incredible things I want to see in this new land, I had trouble narrowing down my top picks. Somehow, I managed to get it down to single digits. (It’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it!) So, here’s what my fellow Harry Potter fans will be most excited about in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic.

Bring Dolores Umbridge to Justice in Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry

I know Voldemort is as evil as they come, but there’s something about Umbridge’s cruelty that feels disturbingly familiar and all too common. She uses her position of power to hurt others with less power, including Hogwarts students. I’ve also always resented that someone as odious as her loves cats as much as I do. Following Voldemort’s demise, she’s about to face trial in London for her many crimes.

After you arrive, you’ll board omnidirectional lifts (elevators, to my fellow Americans) to her trial location. When Umbridge tries to escape before her trial, we’ll join Harry, Ron, Hermione and a house-elf named Higgledy on an incredible thrill ride to chase after her and make sure she pays for her crimes at long last.

PRO TIP: The prospect of traveling by Floo Powder has always seemed a bit daunting to me, ever since Harry’s disastrous mispronunciation of “Diagon Alley” in “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.” I’m terrible at pronunciation (don’t ask me how I first said “Beauxbatons”). Thankfully, the Paris Métro-Floo is not reliant on your ability to pronounce your destination. Instead, it whisks you straight to the Ministry of Magic.

See Fantastic Beasts at Le Cirque Arcanus

Let’s face it, who hasn’t wanted to peek inside Newt Scamander’s suitcase and see magical creatures in real life ever since they first appeared on screen in “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”? Well, you’re not the only one. It turns out, Skender, the ringmaster of Le Cirque Arcanus, has stolen the suitcase in hopes that the enchanting menagerie inside will revive his struggling circus. Now it’s up to circus employee Gwenlyn to rescue these creatures. This show combines talented performers, advanced puppetry and dazzling special effects that’ll leave you wondering where the effects end and the magic begins.

PRO TIP: Keep an eye out for a Demiguise and Mooncalves!

Eat French Confections at K. Rammelle

As someone with a huge sweet tooth who has eaten my way through Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley and present-day Muggle Paris, I can’t wait to see what happens when the magic of wizarding fare meets the mastery of French confections. I can already tell I’ll need multiple visits to try all these enchanting sweets — purely for research purposes, of course.

PRO TIP: On your way in, check out the spinning carousels and Ferris wheels made of sweets in the storefront window. They’ll make you go straight from window-shopping to window-drooling.

Find Your Wand at Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique

I’m embarrassed to admit that when I first saw the name of this shop, I assumed “baguette” meant bread and that this was some kind of magical bakery. In fact, this is home to Cosme Acajor’s collection of wands, each one an artistic masterpiece. Your interactive wand comes with a map of where you can practice your spell-casting throughout the wizarding world.

PRO TIP: Each wand comes in these incredibly elegant three-sided boxes, which represent the three key aspects of a wand: material, core and length.

Cast Spells With Interactive Wands

With a wave of your wand and the proper incantation, you can cast spells throughout the streets of wizarding Paris. You’ll even uncover some magical beasts hiding in plain sight. I’m especially eager to find a Niffler since I can relate to its love of shiny things. You can also cast spells throughout Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. Find the spell locations in all three wizarding lands on the map that comes with your Interactive Wand purchase.

PRO TIP: After you’ve proven yourself a master of magic, stop into Les Galeries Mirifiques to pick up some wizarding memorabilia to commemorate the occasion!

Feast on French Cuisine at Café L’air De La Sirène

What would Paris be without its cafes? The same is true in wizarding Paris. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner en plein air (aka outside) for prime people-watching or eat indoors amidst the carved marble and mosaics featuring fantastic beasts.

You can choose from sandwiches, plats du jour, French baked goods and desserts — you can never have too many desserts, especially French desserts! You can also satisfy your Butterbeer craving, as well as lovely bespoke drinks offering both alcohol and non-alcohol options.

PRO TIP: Keep an eye out for the sky-high display of croquembouches, literally “crunch in the mouth,” a cone-shaped tower of nearly 2,000 cream puffs. As a baker, I find that concept both mouthwatering and intimidating.

Try New Wizarding Beverages at Bar Moonshine

If you’re 21 or over, you can drop by Bar Moonshine, a Bar Américain. You can also enjoy 1920s American cocktails, wine, beer and non-alcoholic drinks like Butterbeer. The décor is all-American, so you can see American Quidditch team pennants for some of your favorite teams and relive your wizarding school days with Ilvermorny memorabilia. If you’re under 21, you can always stop by the Bièraubeurre Cart for a mug of the iconic Butterbeer.

Shop for Quills and Stationery at Tour En Floo

As a writer and a Ravenclaw, quills and stationery are close to my heart. I can’t wait to see what kinds they have here! You can also shop for wizarding world T-shirts and sweatshirts to wear while you’re snuggled up writing, as well as backpacks to carry all your writing materials, plus a book or two. Like the store name implies, you can find it right by the Métro-Floo.

Click below to watch the latest episode of the Discover Universal Podcast, featuring a deep dive into Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry!

What are you most looking forward to in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic? Drop a comment down below or let us know on social @UniversalORL!

Must be 21 years and older with valid identification to purchase or drink alcoholic beverages.