WAND-ERFUL
Huge new theme park opening in 2025 reveals fifth land based on Harry Potter – with wizard battle rides and magic shows
See a preview of the stunning theme park in the video above
UNIVERSAL has revealed what to expect from its fifth and final land at its new theme park opening next year.
First announced in 2019, Epic Universe is the new Universal theme park opening in Florida.
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The park will become one of the biggest in the country, with five lands across the 750-acre resort when it opens in 2025.
The first four have already been revealed - Celestial Park, How to Train Your Dragon, Super Nintendo World and Dark Universe.
The fifth and final land will be Harry Potter-themed, called The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic.
It will be the third land based in the Wizarding World at Universal theme parks.
It follows the success of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure (open in 2010) and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley at Universal
Studios Florida (open in 2014).
The new land, set primarily in the 1920s, will see guests enter from a Parisian Muggle park and travel through Place Cachée, a wizarding shopping district.
The main attraction is the Harry Potter and the Battle of Ministry, set in 1990s London.
The "first-of-its kind" technology will let passengers travel by Metro-Floo from Paris to the British Ministry of Magic.
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There the trial of Dolores Umbridge will take place, where she attempts to escape.
Guests will join Harry, Ron and Hermione having to catch her while dodging Deatheaters along the way.
First look at huge new Epic Universe theme park opening next year with five worlds, rollercoasters and 500-room hotel
Also in the land will be Le Cirque Arcanus, a full-scale live theatre experience with aerialists, special affects and puppetry.
The story sees Ringmaster Skender who has stolen Newt Scamander's Suitcase try and bring the circus back to life with the creatures inside.
Along with attractions, there will also be shops and restaurants.
Wands can be bought at both Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique, while using them at certain locations to interact with the fantastic beasts.
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Along the way, characters to meet include visitors, officials and residents from the wizarding world, exchange students from the Hogwarts and Ilvermorny Schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry as well as talking portraits of wizards.
For places to eat and drink, there is Café L'Air De La Sirène serving French sandwiches and deserts as well as Le Gobelet Noir for "international Dark witches and wizards" which will have soups, salads and entrées.
Otherwise drinks can be found at Bar Moonshine for exclusive beers, wines and cocktails, or a butterbeer at the Bièraubeurre Cart.
And souvenirs such as sweets and Ministry of Magic merchandise can be found at Les Galeries Mirifiques, K. Rammelle and Tour En Floo.
An official opening date in 2025 is yet to be announced, along with ticket prices.
Here is everything else you need to know about the other lands at Epic Universe.
Celestial Park
The central land of the park will be Celestial Park, with 'portals' to all the other lands.
The main ride will be the dual-launch, 62mph rollercoaster Starfall Racers, with other rides including the Constellation Carousel and wet-play area Astronomica.
Dining options include the Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant, Victorian-themed Atlantic and The Oak & Star Tavern, along with Pizza Moon for snacks.
The main hotel is also at Celestial park - the 500-room Universal Helios Grand Hotel.
How to Train Your Dragon
Set at the Isle of Berk, the four rides at the How to Train Your Dragon land include family coaster Hiccup's Wing Gliders, and water cannon ride Fyre Drill.
Other rides include Dragon Racer's Rally, Biking Training Camp and live show The Untrainable Dragon.
Character meet and greets and themed restaurants and bars will also be on-site.
Super Nintendo World
Entering via the iconic green pipe, the main ride at Super Nintendo World will be AR racing ride Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge,
Another ride will be Yoshi's Adventure, collecting eggs along the way.
Characters including Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach can be met along the way, along with themed foods at Toadstool Cafe, Yoshi's Snack Island and Turbo Boost Treats.
Dark Universe
Set around Frankenstein Manor, dark ride Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment is to be Universal's "most terrifying yet" at the Dark Universe land.
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Use these tips on your next theme park trip
Next time you visit a theme park, you may want to use our top tips to make the most of your adrenaline-inducing day out.
- Go to the back of the theme park first. Rides at the front will have the longest queues as soon as it opens.
- Go on water rides in the middle of the day in the summer - this will cool you off when the sun is at its hottest.
- Download the park's app to track which rides have the shortest queues.
- Visit on your birthday, as some parks give out "birthday badges" that can get you freebies.
- If it rains, contact the park. Depending on how much it rained, you may get a free ticket to return.
Another ride is Curse of the Werewolf, a spinning family coaster, while scary creatures can be spotted throughout the land such as The Wolf Man, The Mummy, The Creature from the Black Lagoon and the Brides of Dracula.
Another unique experience will be the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience, with face paint and temporary tattoos to turn kids into monsters.
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