A grand expansion is underway in Central Florida as Universal Epic Universe prepares to welcome guests into a new world of storytelling, innovation, and immersive design.
Opening May 22, 2025, Epic Universe joins Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay as the fourth gate in the ever-evolving Universal Orlando Resort. Among its new lands, the one causing the biggest stir is the Wizarding World’s Ministry of Magic, where fans will encounter Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry—an ambitious new attraction already under intense scrutiny.
“Travel by Métro-Floo from Paris to the British Ministry of Magic where Dolores Umbridge is about to stand trial,” the official attraction description states. “Board a lift and join Harry, Ron and Hermione as you journey deep into the Ministry’s many departments. Thrilling adventure, fantastic beasts and unexplored mystery await in Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry.”
Due to early crowd surges and reports of wait times potentially nearing 10 hours, Universal Orlando has confirmed a virtual queue system will be used to help manage guest demand. Guests can try to secure access to the queue at 11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 6 p.m., much like systems previously used at the resort for major rides such as Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.
This move is seen as essential, given the track record of Wizarding World attractions and their enormous pull. However, Universal has not yet shared full technical specifications for how this system will function at Epic Universe. While it’s designed to reduce wait times and improve flow, not everyone is convinced it’s foolproof.
Reports from Kenny the Pirate claim that some guests are exploiting the virtual queue, selecting more passes than needed by skipping the group size prompt. Some have been seen handing out extras to others, but troublingly, there are also unconfirmed reports of guests selling those passes—with prices reportedly ranging from $20 to $50 each.
This news arrives just as the attraction is about to undergo a weeklong closure from May 10 through May 17, likely for finishing touches before the grand debut. Epic Universe itself has been gradually opening to select guests, beginning with Universal team members in early March, followed by Annual Passholders and hotel guests from April 17 onward.
While Harry Potter remains a massive draw, the Wizarding World’s popularity exists in a complicated context due to the controversy surrounding creator J.K. Rowling. Nonetheless, Epic Universe’s other themed lands—including SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, Dark Universe, and How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk—offer a variety of experiences that are expected to balance crowd distribution across the park.
The virtual queue approach isn’t new to the Central Florida area. Over at Walt Disney World, the system was used extensively during the pandemic era and beyond for attractions like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and TRON Lightcycle / Run—until Disney phased it out entirely.
Looking to the future, Epic Universe represents just one facet of Universal Destinations and Experiences’ global growth. Upcoming projects include Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas, and Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas. Overseas, plans are moving ahead for Universal’s first UK park in Bedfordshire, rumored to include IPs such as James Bond and The Lord of the Rings. Interestingly, no Wizarding World content is planned for that park.
Meanwhile, in a move that surprised many, Disney has turned its attention to the Middle East. While there are no current plans for a UK-based Disney park, the company is making history with the announcement of its seventh global resort in Abu Dhabi—its first in the region.
With virtual queues, global expansion, and fandom highs and lows in play, Universal’s Epic Universe is set to be a defining moment in theme park storytelling. Share your thoughts with us: Are you excited? Concerned? Ready to ride?
