After years of anticipation, the moment theme park fans have been waiting for finally arrived: Epic Universe officially opened on May 22, 2025. The brand-new Universal Orlando Resort park boasts five immersive lands filled with unique experiences, including SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, Dark Universe, Celestial Park, How To Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, and the highly awaited Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic.
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From the earliest previews, guests and fans alike were wowed by the incredible attention to detail throughout the park. The atmosphere, the characters, the food—everything came together to create an experience that promised to be truly magical.
Among all the attractions, one ride quickly stood out as a must-see: Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry.
This attraction invites guests to journey deep into the Ministry of Magic using the magical Floo Powder, placing them right in the middle of an intense showdown. Riders board a lift that descends into the Ministry’s chambers, where the notorious Dolores Umbridge is on trial.
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But the trial doesn’t go as planned. Guests must battle Death Eaters who are determined to help Umbridge escape, leading to an adrenaline-pumping chase that has everyone on the edge of their seats.
Of course, opening a new theme park isn’t without challenges. Long wait times and occasional technical glitches were part of the first-day experience, with some guests waiting hours just to get on the ride. But more notably, there’s been a surprising change to the ride itself that fans who rode during previews quickly noticed.
According to reports and confirmations from Epic Universe Update (@EpicUniverseUpd) on X (formerly Twitter), a major ride effect present during previews has been removed from the official version of Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry.
That effect is the dramatic drop that once created a “wow” moment for riders, which has now been replaced by a much softer downward movement.
I can confirm that the “drop” has been removed from Harry Potter
and the Battle at the Ministry. This was a big “wow” moment on my
preview rides. Whatʼs interesting is that this part of the ride is
heavily featured at 2:13 of the new Epic Universe trailer:As stated before, this is still one of the best attractions in
the world. The immersion is still there. Instead of a drop,
the vehicle now very gently moves downward. Itʼs a very
unfortunate change, and one that I hope is temporary in an
effort for stability.
As stated before, this is still one of the best attractions in the world. The immersion is still there. Instead of a drop, the vehicle now very gently moves downward. It’s a very unfortunate change, and one that I hope is temporary in an effort for stability.
— Epic Universe Update (@EpicUniverseUpd) May 22, 2025
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This news has stirred mixed reactions online. Fans who experienced the preview version lament the loss of what they called a highlight of the ride. Some have speculated that the drop may have caused issues with ride sensors or other technical problems, leading Universal to soften the effect to improve reliability.
Despite the change, Battle at the Ministry remains a standout attraction with immersive storytelling and innovative ride technology. However, the removal of such a signature moment leaves many wondering if the drop might return once Universal works out the kinks.
We want to hear from you—do you think the original drop effect should make a comeback? Or is Universal making the right call, prioritizing a smoother ride experience for guests? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
