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Spoilers Ahead for the “Storyline” Aspect of This Fantastic Beasts/ Harry Potter Attraction
Dolores Umbridge is at the conclusion of her trial for her crimes, being sentenced to a life sentence at Azkaban. To catch the end of this trial, guests will enter a magical public transportation station. Death Eaters will arrive at the trial to free the woman. The iconic Wizard trio — Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger — will arrive to fight them off. Umbridge is trying to enter “a storage area for powerful magical artifacts” to get a hold of…
Wait for the dramatic pause…
A Time-Turner! Apparently, Dolores Umbridge wants to bring an alive and all-powerful Lord Voldemort to the current present. Guests will enter different rooms and observe the ensuing commotion “as shown through both projection and real-world animatronic effects”.
The guests will also encounter some magical creatures found in the Fantastic Beasts and Harry Potter lore. This will include a fire-breathing chicken and Newt Scamander’s Erumpent. During the escape, Umbridge seems to free Newt’s fantastic beast. Guests will encounter the creature face-to-face and will flee from the charging Erumpent. To capture the look of this magical creature, Universal will borrow the effect created for China’s Jurassic World Dark attraction.
Umbridge believes she has a Time-Turner in her possession, only to eventually realize that Granger had tampered with it somehow. At the end of the ride, the nasty villain will fail in her escape. “[H]er obnoxious pink garb [will be] transformed back into prison black-and-white stripes”, and she will be back in the custody of the Ministry once more. It is here that all of the guests will return to the courtroom in time to see Kingsley Shacklebolt deliver the final sentencing.
Background on the Development of This Harry Potter Attraction
Imelda Staunton, who portrayed the ever-so-hated Dolores Umbridge most brilliantly in both Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) & and the Deathly Hallows — Part 1, signed off to film footage for this attraction.
Universal has reached out to Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson to return as their respective characters, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger. However, we do not know in what manner the studios will use them. It should be noted that this has happened with all the main Harry Potter attractions. Only Grint has appeared since they have expanded. Computer-generated imagery (CGI), archive footage, and voice actors filled in the spaces for Radcliffe and Granger for the Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts and the Hogwarts Express attractions.
The purpose of this attraction will be to expand the Wizarding World universe. With such a storyline approved by Warner Brothers, this could be rendered official canon. New characters and new creatures will be introduced to the magical lore of Fantastic Beasts and Harry Potter. One character, in particular, will be the Wizarding World’s very first female house-elf, who will serve as Umbridge’s assistant. It is possible that the character will first appear in the attraction’s queue as guests pass Umbridge’s “old and very pink office, full of those crazy animated cat plates on the walls”.
What Else is There to Say?
Personally, I am excited to see this new little storyline meet its completion. With Albus Severus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy using a Time-Turner themselves in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, this attraction does set up for the events of the play coming to fruition. For those who have read or seen The Cursed Child, the plan to bring Voldemort and his dark order back to life — with Umbridge’s involvement — does happen. Although, it is not without the accidental help of the two boys.
“The Battle for the Ministry of Magic” has been in construction as early as mid-September 2022 or even sometime before that. Of course, it will be a while until visitors can ride the attraction as Epic Universe will open as soon as Summer 2025.
For now, you can own the full Harry Potter film series by purchasing the Blu-ray or 4K collection on Amazon here.
Have you seen the Wizarding World (Fantastic Beasts & Harry Potter) film series? If so, then what are your thoughts on it so far? Let us know! For more fantasy-related news and reviews visit and follow The Cinema Spot on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Source: Screamscape
Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
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