Ministry of Magic at Universal’s Epic Universe is a masterpiece, let me just get that out of the way first and foremost before this rather controversial review begins.
A land of marvel and wonder and certainly a land that houses Universal’s most ambitious indoor attraction ever created in Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, but the ride, just like the land in which it resides isn’t without its flaws.
This brand new land is set in 1920s Paris, inspired by the Fantastic Beasts films which already hits a bit of a sour note with me because compared to the Harry Potter franchise they were, well, terrible.
A theme park land should catapult you to a world of imagination, a world of wonder and to bring alive everything you see on screen both fantasy and awe in equal measure but in this instance, it’s just Paris.
Now for anyone who’s been to Paris, it’s a beautiful city vibrant with culture and fine cuisine… for about one or two miles and then the outskirts resemble any other run-down big city area full of graffiti, shifty people and more. It’s safe to say the magic of the city wears off the more you explore it.
Thankfully we get none of the bad stuff within the Epic Universe wizarding world land but at the end of the day, it’s just a city. It’s not a magical land, it’s not complete escapism of any note, it’s just a city.
Am I making any sense right now?
I feel as though replicating a city doesn’t make a theme park land any more magical than going to visit it in person, no different from World Showcase at EPCOT and no different from attractions such as Global Village in Dubai which replicates lands and cultures from around the world for you to explore.
Yes, Harry Potter fans will enjoy the references and the exploring but for the most part, it’s just Paris and I don’t feel as though this land belongs within a theme park which is a shame.
For me, this feels like the weakest link of them all and whilst impressive, beautiful and immersive (as a city) in its design it merely serves as a tribute to a subpar range of films and the one ride within it that’s incredible has absolutely nothing to do with the Parisian surroundings it resides in.
Everything feels like a bit of a roadblock in the creative department as now guests must visit the Paris Métro and down to the Floo Network to be transported to the Ministry in London and it’s only within this particular ride that you feel that sense of escapism that a theme park land gives you.
An Epic Universe Ride Like No Other
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry is a masterpiece it really is, the attention to detail is meticulous, with every corner reflecting the grandeur depicted in the films.
From the Ministry Reception to Dolores Umbridge’s pink office there is so much to see and so much to take in, it’s stunning and that’s before you board the ride.
The ride experience itself is very different from anything Universal has created before but the jerky movements of the ride vehicle certainly have you feeling a little motion sick and it doesn’t help with how heavy the screen-use is throughout the attraction.
We know Universal love a screen but at least within Monsters Unchained within Dark Universe the animatronics and physical elements of the ride distract you from the screens whereas this particular attraction feels too screen-heavy for my liking.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s spectacular and the omnidirectional lift system that you’re sitting in is a revelation I just wished they had complimented the screens more with physical elements, the layering of the attraction just felt a bit off.
Shopping and Dining within The Wizarding World
The Ministry of Magic land extends beyond the attraction as dining options include Café L’Air De La Sirène, a Parisian-style bistro serving French classics; Le Gobelet Noir, a mysterious auberge offering hearty meals; and Bar Moonshine, an American-style bar packed full of U.S. Quidditch team memorabilia.
There’s a French Butterbeer cart and plenty of shops full of wizarding gear and memorabilia including the new interactive wands which can be used throughout the new land and within the Harry Potter lands based at Universal Studios and Island of Adventures.
I rather love the wands as guests can embark on a little side quest to unveil hidden surprises throughout the lands.
Final Thoughts
Another Harry Potter land is a welcome addition to Epic Universe but theming it around Fantastic Beasts and Paris, whilst beautifully done, just feels like a weird choice and for me out of all of the new lands at Epic Universe, it’s the weakest.
Super Mario Land was originally my weakest land because it’s copied and pasted from other lands we’ve seen before at Universal Parks with nothing new included whatsoever but it’s still a land, a unique experience you can’t immerse yourself in anywhere else in the world other than a Universal Park.
1920s Paris is just Paris you can visit today but with a few tweaks, it feels like a very strange choice to recreate it and unfortunately, I didn’t get to check out the show so sadly I can’t bring you that review until I’ve seen it myself so stay tuned to this page for updates.
The land reminds me very much of this statue that resides within it, it’s perfection, it’s beautiful, it’s architecturally and aesthetically astounding but the thought (and the brains behind it) to include it as a theme park land, is just baffling to me.
Ministry of Magic feels like it’ll be a victim of its own success. It’s clear to me that Epic Universe was originally going to have another one or two lands built, maybe costs got too high and they scaled it back to focus on creativity because with an extra land or two, or even more attractions within the lands they have (especially Harry Potter) then this land may not feel so redundant compared to the others.
I can’t imagine many Harry Potter fans choosing Paris over Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley which feel more ingrained within the lore of the franchise whereas this one certainly feels very out of place.
