Exclusive Photos: See Every Detail Inside the New Harry Potter Ride Opening at Universal Orlando

Chopsticks ready! Universal Orlando Resort is giving its first detailed look at a brand new addition to the Wizarding World.

On Tuesday, Nov. 19, Universal unveiled a slew of new images from the upcoming “Harry Potter and the Battle for the Ministry” thrill ride — including two photos you can see only on PEOPLE.

The ride will be the centerpiece of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, one of five lands set to open in May 2025 as part of Universal Orlando’s much-hyped third theme park, Epic Universe.

The Battle for the Ministry attraction features an all-new story set inside the British wizarding world’s seat of government, the Ministry of Magic, whose tall green tiled walls, golden statues and clunky elevators fans will recognize from the books and films.

Universal Orlando

Access to the Ministry requires travel on the Métro-Floo (a system similar to the Floo network from the films) which will transport guests from the main setting of the new 1920s Wizarding Paris theme park directly to the British Ministry circa 1990s.

Inside, they’ll arrive just in time to witness the “long-awaited trial of the infamous Dolores Umbridge,” according to Universal.

Universal Orlando

When Umbridge (spoiler!) escapes in the middle of the trial, Harry, Ron, Hermione and a house elf named Higgledy will join the riders in “a thrilling chase that will send them up, down, forward, backward, sideways and more through the Ministry” while trying to avoid dementors and other magical dangers.

New Harry Potter theme park photos and details revealed by Universal — including the Ministry of Magic ride

Universal Orlando

The new images show more detail than ever on what riders can expect from their visit to the Ministry.

The Métro-Floo with its barrel-vaulted ceilings and rows of human-sized hearths is clearly part of the queue, with roped-off areas through which the ropes can be seen. The details of the magical mode of transportation by which guests are transported there are still a mystery. It could involve some special effects (similar to the Hogwarts Express queue trick in the park) or it could simply be a familiar passage (like the brick wall behind his Rechargeable Cauldron).

Universal Orlando

The tall atrium of the Ministry looks like a movie set, with shimmering green tiled walls and rows of windowed offices above them.

The pictures show the ministry’s reception area, framed by gold “M” logos on the walls, as well as the Fountain of the Magical Brothers, which features golden statues of a witch, a centaur, a goblin and a house elf. (The latter appears to be just visible behind the witch’s skirt in the new photo.)

Universal Orlando

In the exclusive PEOPLE photo (above), a huge statue of the wizard in the atrium is also visible, with a wand raised in one hand. Readers of the books will recall that these figures played an important role in another fight at the Ministry between Voldemort and Dumbledore.

A new addition to the lobby is a massive banner with the unmistakable moving image of Dolores Umbridge in her Azkaban stripes. She declares that she is “on trial today” and directs visitors to the courtroom on the 10th.

Universal Orlando

Elsewhere, a special edition of the Daily Prophet announces “Umbridge is on trial today.” An unopened interdepartmental memo (shaped into a paper airplane for zooming around the Ministry) is at the top of the paper.

The new photos also offer a glimpse of Umbridge’s brilliantly pink office. In an exclusive PEOPLE photo, it is revealed that the gilded relief around the ceiling features wizards and dragons, as well as the Ministry “M” in a gilded coat of arms.

Universal Orlando

The close-up of the new character is also from the same space: the house-elf Higgledy is sitting on top of a stack of files, holding a quill and looking at a clipboard not dissimilar to the ones used by Umbridge. He also wears what could be a witch’s ring and a shoe. Another detailed shot of his perch shows that the pink folders are “files”.

Umbridge’s desk and other views of the room are conspicuously absent from the photos, presumably because they contain ride spoilers.

Universal Orlando

Several other shots tease other parts of the Ministry ride likely to lead visitors.

On one is the inscription Department of Magical Creatures, and on the other is a display case with clocks surrounded by black tiles. This is undoubtedly the Time Room within the Department of Mysteries, an area frequented in the books that is located next to the more famous Hall of Prophecies. In addition to clocks of all kinds, it also contains time turners that are used to travel through time in the wizarding world.

Universal Orlando

Finally, Universal released a new photo of the actual ride vehicle.

The picture shows the setup for about 10 guests who will be seated in two rows of tufted red leather seats. It looks similar to the layout of Disney’s classic “Tower of Terror” ride.

Universal Orlando

While Universal didn’t reveal exactly what type of ride it will be, an earlier rendering showed a box of seats suspended in the air and tilted at an angle that implies its motion may be more similar to that of Universal Alley’s Escape from Gringotts in Diagon Alley.

Universal Orlando Resort

Universal previously confirmed plenty of other details about the new land back in July, when they first announced the Epic Universe opening date.

The resort teased at the time that the park would include settings and stories from the spinoff Fantastic beasts movies. Part of the country will be set in the magical Paris of the 1920s — specifically Place Cachée, Paris’ version of the fictional Diagon Alley, as well as in the magical London of the 1990s, where much of the original series takes place.

Universal Orlando

In the French section, visitors will be able to enjoy snacks and buy souvenirs in shops such as Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique, the equivalent of Ollivander’s wand shop; pastry shop K. Rammelle; as well as souvenir shops like Les Galeries Mirifiques and Tour En Floo. The illustrations also featured a cart selling butterbeer, or as French wizards call it, Bièraubeurre.

Universal Orlando Resort

Café L’Air De La Sirène — featured in Universal’s pictures with classic French interior design — will serve as the area’s sit-down restaurant serving monster-themed eggs and other treats.

The renderings show the shops in all their glory, as they have been recreated to represent the French Wizarding Quarter as seen in Fantastic beasts.

Universal Orlando Resort

Universal releases photos and details of new Epic Universe Park — including Harry PotterNintendo Earth

Universal also shared thoughts on the Wizarding World’s first live theatrical production, titled “Le Cirque Arcanus.” Originally from The Crimes of Grindelwald, the show is set in a magical circus that includes acrobatics, actors, puppets and special effects.

The displays show dancers, aviators and others performing in a packed hall, fully decorated as an old circus performance.

Universal Orlando Resort

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This new Harry Potter land will offer visitors “an enthralling collection of experiences that includes fantastic dining, wacky retail and enchanting entertainment,” Universal said in a press release in July.

Universal Orlando Resort

The Ministry of Magic will be the third Harry Potter-themed area at Universal Orlando Resort, as the park is already home to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure, which opened in 2010, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley at Universal Studios , which was opened in 2014.

Also coming to Epic Universe are SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Dark Universe, Celestial Park and more.

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Source: HIS Education