First Look: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe

As a lifelong Harry Potter fan, there was no doubt in my mind which world I was most excited to explore at Universal’s new Epic Universe: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. I tried not to hype it up too much in my mind (we all know how that can go), but let me just say—this was one case where reality completely blew expectations out of the water.

That First Look… Literally Magical

I actually took a split-screen video of myself walking into the world, both to capture my genuine reaction and to send to my husband, who graciously stayed home with our puppers while I was away. Watching it back… well, let’s just say there were a lot of swear words (in the best possible way)! Rounding the corner and seeing the world open up in front of me left me completely speechless—and clearly, I processed that by blurting out every expletive I know. 😂

The sheer scale of this world is unreal. The buildings tower above you with such intricate detail that it’s almost disorienting in the best way. When I say you are transported to 1920s Paris, I’m not exaggerating. It’s like stepping through time. I totally get why we enter these worlds through portals—because it genuinely feels like someone told me to close my eyes in my living room and then bam—I’m standing in the middle of the real life Ministry of Magic.

Exploring the Shops & Hidden Treasures

I made it a point to explore most of the shops here. While I didn’t buy too much (there’s always a next time!), I had to grab a Ministry of Magic shirt from Tour en Floo, especially after experiencing the incredible Floo Network ride queue. Theming? 10/10. Every corner of this world has been thought through with such care and magic-loving detail.

One shop I absolutely adored was Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique™, the wand shop tucked just to the right of the Le Cirque Arcanus™ tent. It was stunning. I really wanted to test out some of the interactive wands in the new window displays, but I was so overwhelmed (and, let’s be honest, hyper-focused on capturing every moment) that I totally forgot. Just means I have an excellent excuse to go back… not that I needed one!

Don’t miss Les Galeries Mirifiques™, which functions as a French-inspired department store filled with unique merchandise exclusive to Epic Universe. I especially loved the Beauxbatons-themed items, which beautifully represent the ladies of the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. It’s located just past Café L’air De La Sirène™, on the left-hand side before you head toward Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry™.

Now Let’s Talk About the Food – Oui, Chef!

If you’ve read any of my other blogs or have seen my reels on social media, you already know how much I appreciate good theme park food—and Epic Universe is on a whole other level. I was completely blown away by Café L’air De La Sirène™, so much so that I went back a second time instead of trying something new!

On my first visit, I had the Boeuf Bourguignon for $18.99. Yes, you read that right—less than $20 for a beautifully plated, hearty meal that could rival something from a bistro in Paris. It was a chilly, rainy day, and this dish hit all the right notes: warm, savory, and completely satisfying.

On my return visit, I sampled something from the kids’ menu—because I like to know what I’m recommending to my clients with little ones! I tried the Poulet Frit (chicken tenders and fries) for $9.49. It came with three perfectly cooked tenders, crispy fries, and a fresh fruit bowl with strawberries and blueberries. Great value, great taste, and honestly, something I wouldn’t hesitate to order again myself.

For drinks, I tried the Lavender Lemonade – $5.49 (because I’m 100% in my lavender lemonade era right now) and the Thé Fraise – $5.49, a strawberry-mint iced tea. Both were light and refreshing—perfect accompaniments to the rich French-inspired meals.

Oh, and the decor? Think Michelin Star-level elegance inside a theme park. The moment you walk in, it feels like you’ve stepped into an upscale Parisian café.

The other quick service spot in this land is Le Gobelet Noir™, described as a mysterious timeworn auberge tucked into a shadowy corner of Paris’s Place Cachée. I didn’t get a chance to dine here this time around, but the vibe gave me total Leaky Cauldron energy with its cozy, pub-style interior. There are six different dining areas inside, so I’ve definitely added this one to my "to-do" list for next time.

Shows, Rides & A Few Almost Moments

One of the shows I had planned to see was Le Cirque Arcanus™, but unfortunately, it was down during my scheduled time. By the time it came back up later in the day, I had opted to watch The Untrainable Dragon over in Isle of Berk, since both shows had their final performances at the same time. Priorities, right?

Now… let’s talk about the ride I was most eager to experience—Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry™. Sadly, the ride was down the entire week leading up to the public opening, which happened to include my visit. Was I disappointed? Of course. But my husband was thrilled—it means I have to go back and ride it with him.

That said, I did get to walk through the full queue on a couple of occasions, and honestly… I was blown away. From the moment you step into the Floo Network to arrive inside the Ministry, to the moment you exit through another fireplace at the end, it’s the most immersive queue I’ve ever experienced. If you’ve ever wanted to know what it feels like to step into a Harry Potter film—this is it.

The building is enormous. I’d estimate it took me a solid 20–30 minutes to walk through the queue during park previews (and that was with no wait!). The only time I had to pause was while going through Dolores Umbridge’s office. Her house-elf tells the story of what’s going on in the Ministry—including Dolores’ trial. And let me just say, this little house-elf is precious. No idea how she ended up assigned to Dolores of all people, lol.

Final Thoughts

This land left me absolutely enchanted. Whether it was the food, the atmosphere, the shops, or just soaking in the sights, the Ministry of Magic is everything a Potter fan could dream of and so much more. I can’t wait to return with my husband to experience even more (especially that ride!) and to uncover the hidden details I missed the first time around.

If you're heading to Epic Universe, make Ministry of Magic your top priority. Trust me—this is one magical journey you’ll never forget. #EpicUniverse #UniversalOrlando #WizardingWorld #PlaceCachée #Beauxbatons #CaféLairDeLaSirène #UniversalFoodie #ThemeParkEats #MagicalDining #BattleAtTheMinistry #HarryPotterRide #LeGobeletNoir #MagicalShopping #ThemeParkMagic #FamilyTravel #TravelAdvisor #ThemeParkTips #YouAreTheMagicAdventures