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Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic - Reviews, Photos & Media

  • Thread starter Thread starter Brian G.
  • Start date Start date Mar 2, 2025
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Brian G.

Brian G.

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  • Mar 2, 2025
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This is a review thread for Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, including attractions, food, & more.

Please keep general discussion to a minimum.

WARNING: There will be Spoilers!
 
Last edited: Mar 2, 2025
MaxRebo

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I got to see the show today! I actually really liked it with little connection to the Fantastic beasts property. Different than what I thought it would be. Happy to answer any questions about it.
 
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Cup_Of_Coffee

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MaxRebo said:
I got to see the show today! I actually really liked it with little connection to the Fantastic beasts property. Different than what I thought it would be. Happy to answer any questions about it.
Click to expand...
How long was it? How was the puppetry and special effects?
 
MaxRebo

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Cup_Of_Coffee said:
How long was it? How was the puppetry and special effects?
Click to expand...
There is a preshow which was about 5-7 minutes long and the actual show was about 20 minutes. Some very cool magic effects in the preshow, with an appearing effect that blew me away for a second. The actual show has some really cool puppets and costumes performers. Also an unexpected but amazing set changes that the whole audience reacted to.
 
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BigRed98

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MaxRebo said:
I got to see the show today! I actually really liked it with little connection to the Fantastic beasts property. Different than what I thought it would be. Happy to answer any questions about it.
Click to expand...
Do you need to have seen the Fantastic Beasts movies to enjoy and understand it?
 
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MaxRebo

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BigRed98 said:
Do you need to have seen the Fantastic Beasts movies to enjoy and understand it?
Click to expand...
No but it would help you know some of the creatures and characters in it. I’ll give some spoilers here
The story of the show is that the Ringmaster Skender has stolen Newt Schamanders suitcase that he houses the beasts inside.Newt makes an appearance along with several beasts from the film.
 
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Speed

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Don’t know a single thing FB/HP related but think this is a dope show. Technologically amazing.
 
Last edited: Mar 11, 2025
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PerceptiveCoot

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MaxRebo said:
There is a preshow which was about 5-7 minutes long and the actual show was about 20 minutes. Some very cool magic effects in the preshow, with an appearing effect that blew me away for a second. The actual show has some really cool puppets and costumes performers. Also an unexpected but amazing set changes that the whole audience reacted to.
Click to expand...
People are sleeping on this as the second attraction. Hope it gets proper attention from the GP when it opens.
 
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Rhian

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PerceptiveCoot said:
People are sleeping on this as the second attraction. Hope it gets proper attention from the GP when it opens.
Click to expand...
It's got fantastic beasts and here you'll find them. :p

There's a particular moment in the show where the audience will think "magic is real." Overall wonderful show and the queue is very interesting—theming is done so well.
 
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OLSinFLA

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PerceptiveCoot said:
People are sleeping on this as the second attraction. Hope it gets proper attention from the GP when it opens.
Click to expand...
I am very curious to see it.
 
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Floridaguy34

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I saw the shoe and let e say it’s charming and magical and the puppets are massive and stunning. This show is amazing
 
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Jwhee

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This land is absolutely jaw-dropping—by far the best of the Potter-themed areas. The theming feels authentically French and honestly puts the Epcot pavilion to shame. The forced perspective effect at the back of the land works perfectly—I was genuinely stunned by it. The streets are nice and wide, which helps prevent overcrowding, and a really nice touch is that both the restaurant and the bar offer outdoor seating along the sidewalk. It makes the whole area feel less like a theme park and more like something you’d actually see in Paris.

The interiors of the shops and dining locations also looked fantastic. I can’t stress enough how impressive this land is.

Le Cirque Arcanus – Slight Spoilers Ahead

The attraction begins through an unassuming circus tent, but just a few steps inside and you’re immediately blown away by the detail and scale. The pre-show takes place in a large circular room designed to feel like you’re outdoors. There are a few live actors and some really impressive special effects. The live actors gave it a nostalgic vibe—it reminded me of something Universal might’ve done back in the ’90s. After the story is set up, you’re treated to some excellent projection mapping effects before the doors open and you’re led into the main theater.

The theater’s interior is designed to look like a circus tent. It’s a decent size—smaller than T2:3D but larger than the Horror Make-Up Show—and guests sit on wooden benches. The show starts off like a regular circus, but then things slightly go wrong. The climax (if you’d call it that) features an incredible special effect that, to my knowledge, hasn’t been done in a theme park show before. Just as things start to really get interesting, the main character falls in love and—bam—the show ends with them going off happily-ever-after.

The plot revolves around various "beasts." They're all large puppets or costumed characters. They're mostly cute, and some are noticeably goofy looking. You'll see.

In summary: It’s good, not great. If this show runs continuously throughout the day, guests will leave satisfied. But if people are waiting an hour to see it, they might walk away a bit disappointed. It has a beginning and an end, but it skips the middle. That said, the use of puppets is a refreshing touch, and overall it’s a solid D-ticket experience.
 
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GAcoaster

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I really thought I was Pottered out, but the whole area is so fresh and interesting— great detail and so many fun and unique touches. It’s beautiful inside and out. The little tucked away stroller/ECV parking areas are awesome for keeping the streets clear.

We walked the queue for Ministry and it was incredible— the scale is just amazing. The entry through the Floo Network is so well done. If the ride is as good as rumors say it is, this will be the best of the Wizarding Worlds.
 
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Rhian

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GAcoaster said:
We walked the queue for Ministry and it was incredible— the scale is just amazing. The entry through the Floo Network is so well done. If the ride is as good as rumors say it is, this will be the best of the Wizarding Worlds.
Click to expand...
The special effects for the Floo Network still aren't running, right? So far it was just basic lighting but it seemed like something else is supposed to happen when you walk through.

What I really liked is how I felt when I first walked through that doorway. For anyone else wondering what it's like the closest I can compare it to is the sensation you may have gotten when you first entered the train platform at King's Cross and got your first sights on the scale of the interior of that building.

It's like that but so much bigger!
 
Frank Drackman

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Rhian said:
The special effects for the Floo Network still aren't running, right? So far it was just basic lighting but it seemed like something else is supposed to happen when you walk through.

What I really liked is how I felt when I first walked through that doorway. For anyone else wondering what it's like the closest I can compare it to is the sensation you may have gotten when you first entered the train platform at King's Cross and got your first sights on the scale of the interior of that building.

It's like that but so much bigger!
Click to expand...

am told the Floo network effect is working now. also sounds like decent progress is being made on the ride these days.
 
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GAcoaster

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Rhian said:
The special effects for the Floo Network still aren't running, right? So far it was just basic lighting but it seemed like something else is supposed to happen when you walk through.

What I really liked is how I felt when I first walked through that doorway. For anyone else wondering what it's like the closest I can compare it to is the sensation you may have gotten when you first entered the train platform at King's Cross and got your first sights on the scale of the interior of that building.

It's like that but so much bigger!
Click to expand...
Yes, the effect was working!
 
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TheCodeMan95

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I'm very interested in Le Cirque Arcanus. Excited to see all the effects mentioned!
 
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saint.piss

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Whewwwww. This land is by far my favorite HP land they've done. It's so so so beautiful. Genuinely blown away by the detailing and size of this area. Originally this was my least anticipated land of EU and currently it's my favorite. I love it
 
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OLSinFLA

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I love the fact that when you exit it exits back into the MoM atrium, so you get even more time to marvel at it! (And that you exit by, what else, another floo)
 
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GAcoaster

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The scale of EVERYTHING in this land is just breathtaking. Still shocked at how much I loved the land-- and there's even stuff I want to buy despite not wanting to financially support JKR.
 
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