Universal’s Epic Universe will see the opening of the resort’s third Harry Potter land: Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic. While the new land is incredibly immersive, there’s something missing…

Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry

The first two Wizarding World installations in Orlando – – Islands of Adventure’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Hogsmeade and Universal Studios Florida’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley – – were revolutionary for the theme park industry, and certainly elements of the Ministry of Magic portal seem like they will (we’re looking you you, Battle at the Ministry). However, certain elements of the land may be lacking.

No Broom Experience

Flying on a broom is one of the most iconic elements of the Harry Potter series. From Harry’s first flight on his Nimbus 2000 to countless games of Quidditch to the Flight of the 7 Potters or the Battle of Hogwarts, broom flight is a major part of many of the series’ best-known moments.

©Universal

Which makes it all the more mystifying that, FOR THE THIRD TIME IN A ROW, Universal has built a Harry Potter-themed land without an experience that recreates flying a broom. Now, to be fair, Universal has allegedly tried. Supposedly, a broom experience was planned for both Universal Studios Florida and Epic Universe before it was dropped from both.

No Magical “Weenie”

While the lack of broom experience is the thing that sticks out the most, there are also a couple of other issues we’ve noticed. The exterior of the land is themed to the 1920s “magical” version of Paris which, while being incredibly well-detailed and themed, is mostly the muggle world and is lacking the massive Wizarding World “weenies” (a term long-given to theme park architecture that draws the eye) like Hogwarts Castle or Gringott’s and its rooftop dragon featured in other parks.

Universal’s Islands of Adventure

The lack of weenie isn’t the only aspect of the land hurt by the Parisian setting.

Timeline Issues

Rumors about Epic Universe’s Wizarding World have long said that the whole land was planned to be themed to the Fantastic Beasts films series, and that its relative failure led to Universal pivoting. While this has never been confirmed, the fact that the land is principally themed to Fantastic Beasts’ version of Paris while its star attraction is set in the 1990s London of the original series seems to point to it being true.

Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry

Also, as good as the ride is, the timeline incongruity – – which is hand-waved away with Floo Powder time travel – – does throw the whole experience of the portal a bit off-kilter.

Traveling by Floo Powder

Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic is the latest Universal land to focus on the “boy who lived”, but something is missing. Stay tuned to DFB for more on Epic Universe.

Epic Universe Could Lead to MAJOR CHANGES at Universal Orlando’s Other Parks

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What do you think of Epic Universe’s Potter land? Do any of these issues ring true to you? Let us know in the comments below.