For years, fans have watched every construction drone shot and company teaser with bated breath. The countdown to Epic Universe—Universal Orlando Resort’s most ambitious project ever—has been filled with excitement, curiosity, and sky-high expectations.
But just as the long-awaited theme park is about to swing open its grand, celestial gates to the public, something unexpected has happened.
A headlining Harry Potter ride has quietly vanished from the preview schedule.
And it’s not the only one.
So what’s causing these sudden changes so close to the finish line—and what does it mean for Epic Universe’s massive debut?
Key Epic Universe Attractions Closed During Previews
In a surprising move, Universal has confirmed that Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, one of the marquee rides at Epic Universe, will be closed to all guests from May 10 through May 16 during the park’s general public preview window.
The news broke via a quiet update to Universal’s Epic Universe Preview webpage and was shared by theme park insider Scott Gustin on X (formerly Twitter).
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry will be closed during Epic Universe previews May 10-16, according to an update on the Epic Universe Preview page. The Ministry of Magic will remain open for self-guided tours. The Viking Training Camp will also be closed May 13-16. – @ScottGustin on X
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry will be closed during Epic Universe previews May 10-16, according to an update on the Epic Universe Preview page. The Ministry of Magic will remain open for self-guided tours. The Viking Training Camp will also be closed May 13-16. pic.twitter.com/Sz2e4y14Qm
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) May 7, 2025
While the Ministry of Magic land itself will still be open for walkthroughs and self-guided tours, its signature attraction—touted as the next evolution in Wizarding World ride tech—will not be operating during this critical early preview phase.
Also closed during this time? The Viking Training Camp in the How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk area, which will be unavailable to guests from May 13 through May 16.
These dates are just one week before the park’s official opening on May 22, 2025.
Are These Just Pre-Opening Growing Pains?
While closures during previews are nothing new in the theme park world, the fact that such high-profile attractions are offline so close to opening day is raising eyebrows across the industry.
The Battle at the Ministry ride is rumored to combine cutting-edge ride systems, next-level effects, and immersive storytelling, transporting guests into the heart of a wizarding showdown inside the British Ministry of Magic.
To have that experience unavailable during public previews hints that the technology may still need fine-tuning—or that Universal is opting for caution in the final stretch.
It’s worth noting that Epic Universe is launching on a scale rarely seen in modern theme park development. With five highly detailed lands—including Celestial Park, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon, Dark Universe, and The Wizarding World’s Ministry of Magic—and a mix of coasters, dark rides, walkthroughs, and interactive environments, the park is juggling a massive amount of moving parts.
Why These Closures Matter More Than You Think
Beyond a simple operational hiccup, these closures may suggest something deeper: Universal is taking a quality-first approach, even if it means scaling back temporarily.
In today’s social media age, a single rough ride experience can make waves online. Delaying an attraction—even briefly—may be a strategic move to ensure guests’ first impressions are stellar.
It also underscores the complexity of modern ride engineering. As ride systems become more advanced and immersive, the margin for error narrows. A small software bug or sensor misalignment in a dark ride like Battle at the Ministry could affect everything from guest flow to story synchronization.
In other words, the stakes are high—and Universal knows it.
Plenty Left to Discover During Previews
Even with these temporary closures, there’s no shortage of magic to be found at Epic Universe.
Guests attending preview days will still be able to:
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Explore the Ministry of Magic’s spellbinding architecture and lore
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Take on Stardust Racers, the park’s dual-track launch coaster
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Immerse themselves in Super Nintendo World, including Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
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Meet dragons, monsters, and beloved characters across multiple themed zones
Universal appears confident that enough of the park will be running smoothly to give early visitors a powerful first taste of what Epic Universe will offer long-term.
Final Thoughts: A Bump in the Road or a Smart Delay for Epic Universe?
In the end, these pre-opening closures might actually be a sign of maturity rather than malfunction. Instead of rushing every attraction online just to meet a calendar date, Universal is playing the long game—fine-tuning its most important offerings for peak performance.
And when the park fully opens on May 22, expectations will be sky-high. Fans aren’t just visiting for a theme park—they’re stepping into entire worlds.
So while missing out on a few attractions during previews may sting, it might just be the spell Universal needs to ensure everything else runs like magic.
