Epic Universe construction update: Quidditch signage in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
Ministry of Magic construction continues in Epic Universe’s new Wizarding World of Harry Potter, including Quidditch signage.
Aerial photographer bioreconstruct flew over Universal Epic Universe on Dec. 25, 2024, capturing photos of construction progress for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. Prop ornamentation and signage details abound as the fictional Parisian square of Place Cachée from “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” materializes in Orlando, Fla.
(New to Epic Universe? The upcoming theme park will open at Universal Orlando on May 22, 2025. Check out our beginners guide for a park overview.)
Ministry of Magic construction teams recently installed a large sign reading “Paris | Coupe de Quidditch” (which translates to “Paris | Quidditch Cup”).
As seen in the concept art below, from the perspective of just entering Place Cachée, this Quidditch sign will serve as something of a visual magnet for guests, catching their eyes as they embark upon their Wizarding World journey. The sign also functions as narrative exposition; just in case you’re unsure of where exactly you’ve found yourself, the Eiffel Tower illustration and “Paris” lettering plainly communicate your location within this new “Harry Potter” story.
The Coupe de Quidditch sign may simply be a fictional advertisement for an in-universe sporting competition rather than a sign for a physical space guests can enter. The sign is positioned just above the entrance to Patisserie Matagot, a walk-in bakery. Guests seeking (sorry) a Quidditch hangout spot will instead find it in Bar Moonshine, a Quidditch bar posited as an American establishment within the Parisian marketplace of Place Cachée.
Elsewhere within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, construction workers added strings of bulb lights to the entranceway tent of “Le Cirque Arcanus,” an indoor show which will present the wonders of the magical creatures found in Newt Scamander’s suitcase.
The tent stands in front of a building serving as the business operations for Le Cri de la Gargouille, which translates to “The Cry of the Gargoyle,” a wizarding news source of some sort.
Window messages translate to the following:
- Le grand bureau de imprimantes du Cri De La Gargouille = The great printers office of Cry of the Gargoyle
- En exclusif nouvelles | Quidditch | Potions | Culture = In exclusive news | Quidditch | Potions | Culture
- Favori pour les rapports exclusifs sur les potions = Favorite for exclusive potions reports
- Les gargouillements fabuleux des nouvelles Françaises = The fabulous gurgling of French news
Landscape designers added more trees to the outdoor extended queue area of Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, the signature ride of Epic Universe’s new Wizarding World. The trees will help hide backstage areas that would conflict with the area’s placemaking if visible by guests. (Think of the similar area in the extended queue for Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts over at Universal Studios Florida.)
Artisans continue to add more signage and props upon both real exteriors and façades of Place Cachée, the former being establishments guests can enter and others simply part of the area’s world-building. Construction details such as these help pull off the narrative of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic as a bustling metropolis, home to local business owners going about their everyday lives. Alas, the “hotels” visible are not actual lodging options.
Another such fictional establishment serves as a (again, fake) performance venue for ballet dancers, musicians, and comedians.
In the construction photo below, the entrance to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic is at top center.
See more construction from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic and the rest of Epic Universe from bioreconstruct’s Christmas Day flight in this video:
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