Potterheads may well lose their minds when Epic Universe opens next month. Universal Orlando’s next theme park features a “Harry Potter”-inspired attraction that’s exhilarating, imaginative, and, at times, jaw-dropping.

The ride, dubbed Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, is one of the noteworthy Epic offerings that folks are experiencing as the park moves through its previews for key audiences, including Universal employees and, on Saturday, members of the media.

The attractions remain in “technical rehearsal” before Epic Universe opens to the public May 22. Without being too terrible of a spoiler, here are initial impressions of upcoming attractions.

Taking Umbridge

The storyline of Battle at the Ministry (part of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic) revolves around the trial of Dolores Umbridge, a villainess in the “Potter” series, and riders see a lot of her (actress Imelda Staunton). They also see Harry, Hermione and Ron more than they do in Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts ride at Universal Studios theme park.

A trial is an unlikely setting for a park ride, so it’s fortuitous that there’s an escape attempt and pursuit. Riders, situated in 16-passenger “magical lifts,” follow the action in parallel lifts that move up, down and while bumping around in the depths of the Ministry of Magic. The movement is unpredictable and while we want to believe good will win out … Will it?

Also in the mix is a formidable erumpent, a horned magical creature, reportedly Universal’s largest animatronic figure.

But before all that is the long, winding queue through the Ministry. The pathway is lux if bureaucratic, and mixes grand, high-ceilinged spaces featuring golden statues with small spaces, including Umbridge’s very pink, very kitty office. Linking it all: miles of tiles. There are more than 200,000 of them lining the walls leading to the ride, Universal says.

Sky highs

“Don’t underestimate Stardust Racers,” I was advised about Epic’s unassuming-looking roller coaster running in Celestial Park. But as I crested the first big hill after that wicked first launch I realized I had underestimated Stardust Racers anyway.

The coaster has rollicking maneuvers that keep coming despite a string of profanities and pleas to my sainted mother in heaven to save us.

The racing coaster aspect of Stardust practically forces Universal veterans to recall the late, great Dueling Dragons, a staple of the early days of Islands of Adventure. But just as I was thinking the near-misses weren’t as plentiful as they were in Dragons days, they flooded in on Stardust.

Another fair IOA comparison would be with Jurassic World VelociCoaster. I’d rate their intensities as similar, but Stardust felt like a longer experience. Plus, the new ride has two similar — but not identical — rails.

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So now there are two of them.

A quibble: At the top of the hills, I was distracted by non-Epic elements in the distance and nearby construction units. But it was nice on the descents to see grassy areas, something many coasters do without.

Epic features three additional coasters: the also-surprising Hiccup’s Wing Gliders in How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk; the family-friendly Curse of the Werewolf spinning, spinning, spinning coaster in Dark Universe; and close call-heavy Mine-Cart Madness in Super Nintendo World.

Monster musings

Future Epic Universe debate: Ministry or Monsters — which is better?

Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, the centerpiece ride of Dark Universe, has a lot going for it, including multiple animatronics in unusual positions, effective robotic arm technology and a story that’s easy to follow with a girl power element to it.

(Wait, what’s up with barefoot Dracula?)

I’d also argue that there’s more humor in Monsters Unchained and a slightly less jerky ride. Its queue isn’t as fab as the one for Ministry, but it’s fitting, has grand staircases and starts the story effectively (and visually) before the ride begins.

(Wait, what’s up with all the stairs all over Epic?)

Perhaps I was more entertained by Monsters, but maybe Ministry is more impressive?

Ministry or Monsters — which is better? There is no wrong answer.

Making an entrance

Each themed land’s entrance is a tunnel-like portal connecting from the Celestial Park area. They’re several yards deep and have distinct designs that build anticipation. Each is topped with elaborate spires with symbols representing the upcoming world.

The other side of the portal isn’t an a-ha moment with a whole new land spread before you. Each gateway delays its big reveals a little, usually a shift in direction or a visual surprise such as a tile wall or twin escalators.

There’s a method to this madness. When leaving the lands for your next stops, you’re unlikely to exit via the portal. Side exits naturally flow back to Celestial Park, so there is just one-way traffic through the tube.

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The portals also help with immersion, a major theme-park buzzword for the past umpteen years. The trend got a jumpstart with the original Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure in 2010. The idea, of course, is to move visitors figuratively to another world, realm, fictional setting, or, in Epic’s case, a videogame. And to do this without hints of the outside world.

Epic Universe is like building four Wizarding Worlds side-by-side. Its themed lands are distinct and stand-alone with few distractions. When standing on the lowest level of Super Nintendo World, the only real life seen was the blue sky above.

In the latest Wizarding World, visitors stroll through a worn-looking 1920s Paris before traveling into a 1990s setting for its signature ride. The wide expanse of How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk goes big and wooden.

In only a couple of instances does a neighboring land creep into sight. One involved the Grand Helios hotel, which stands in Celestial Park between two other lands, peeking over the top of scenery. In another spot, it feels like the landscape will grow in and provide separation.

If you please

So many details of note all over Epic Universe, but let’s wrap up with five moments that we expect to be crowd-pleasers.

• The 9-foot-tall animatronic of Frankenstein’s new monster in the pre-show of Monsters Unchained.

• The Mario water fixture with spinning gold coins just outside Super Nintendo World.

• The flying dragon above “The Untamable Dragon” stage show at Isle of Berk.

• The rooftop bar at Helios Grand — and not just for the park views.

• All the reading there to be done on the walls of 1920s Paris in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

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