{"id":345576,"date":"2024-09-01T11:23:13","date_gmt":"2024-09-01T15:23:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/attractionsmagazine.com\/?p=345576"},"modified":"2024-09-01T20:29:49","modified_gmt":"2024-09-02T00:29:49","slug":"epic-universe-wizarding-world-harry-potter-orlando-reveal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/attractionsmagazine.com\/epic-universe-wizarding-world-harry-potter-orlando-reveal\/","title":{"rendered":"Harry Potter at Epic Universe to feature return of Umbridge and more as Universal reveals new Wizarding World"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Bloody hell! The Wizarding World of Harry Potter \u2013 Ministry of Magic will open in 2025 at Universal Orlando’s new Epic Universe theme park.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Images courtesy of Universal<\/sub><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Updated Sept. 1, 2024; originally published July 31, 2024.<\/sub><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter \u2013 Ministry of Magic will apparate at Universal Epic Universe<\/a> \u2014 the new theme park opening in 2025 at Universal Orlando Resort. Here’s what to know about the highly anticipated land.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Aerial photography by bioreconstruct<\/a><\/sup><\/sub><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Delores Umbridge returns in new ‘Harry Potter’ world in Orlando<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Delores Umbridge returns \u2014 as do Harry, Ron, and Hermione \u2014 in Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, the signature attraction within this new Wizarding World.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Universal has confirmed that Imelda Staunton reprised her role as Delores Umbridge<\/strong> for this attraction, marking the actor’s first time in the role since 2010’s penultimate “Harry Potter” film. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Universal has not mentioned casting details for Harry, Ron, or Hermione, so TBD on whether Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and\/or Emma Watson, respectively, are back this time. (The actors’ images in the promotional artwork are over a decade old.) In the concept visuals, Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s faces are covered by elevator grates.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The new Epic Universe ride takes place after the ‘Harry Potter’ movies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We enter the story after<\/em> the events of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” and Delores Umbridge is on trial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Things seem to be going all right …<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2026until 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 \u2013 all while dodging attacks from Death Eaters, rampaging creatures and more along the way.<\/p>\nUniversal Orlando<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n

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Umbridge only appears in two “Potter” films (the fifth and the seventh), but she leaves a strong impression on the series, as does Imelda Staunton in her villainous performance in the movies. The new attraction marks Umbridge’s first appearance in a theme park ride.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The new character Higgledy happens to be Umbridge’s former house-elf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Familiar Death Eaters will be part of the ride, too: Yaxley, the Carrows, and Macnair. Kingsley Shacklebolt, member of the Order of the Phoenix, will also make his Universal Orlando debut in the attraction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Yaxley.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Kingsley Shacklebolt.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The queue of Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry at Epic Universe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The queue for Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry will wind its way through several unique locations never before seen in the films, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n