Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi is set to add three lands based on the Harry Potter universe: Diagon Alley, Hogwarts and the Forbidden Forest. Together, they will span around 63,000 m², with construction scheduled for completion in 2029.[1][3]
The project is located on Yas Island and will form part of a major expansion of the indoor theme park. Guests are being promised new attractions designed specifically for Abu Dhabi rather than copies of existing experiences at other parks.[1][3]
This news is especially relevant to tourists from Uzbekistan. Abu Dhabi is already familiar to many of our travellers, and the new attraction will offer another compelling reason to include Yas Island in a family itinerary.
Three worlds under one roof
The first land is Diagon Alley, the famous wizarding street with its shops and instantly recognisable architecture. The second is Hogwarts, the setting at the heart of the entire story. The third is the Forbidden Forest, an environment that gives designers greater freedom to create dark scenes, creatures and adventure-driven storylines.[1][3]
The names of the attractions have not yet been revealed. However, Miral and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences have already confirmed that the rides will be developed specifically for Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi.[1] This is an important detail: the park is creating an original product rather than importing a ready-made package from Universal Studios.
The Harry Potter project was first announced in 2022. At the time, Miral spoke of a single large themed land without providing details of its layout or size.[2] In 2026, the concept was unveiled in greater detail: three distinct worlds and an indication of the project’s scale have now been officially confirmed.[1][4]
63,000 m² is only part of the expansion
The three Harry Potter lands will span around 63,000 m².[1] At the same time, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi is preparing two new DC attractions: Kryptonite Collider and Superman Up and Away. Together, the new projects will add around 70,000 m² to the park and increase its total area by more than 50%.[1]
This is no small addition to the existing park. It is an expansion that will significantly change the layout of Warner Bros. World and the distribution of visitor flows.
Construction is scheduled for completion in 2029.[1][3] This is not a confirmed opening date: after the main construction work, the site may still require installation, testing, staff training and technical commissioning.
Why the indoor format works here
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi is an indoor theme park.[1][2] This is a practical choice for the UAE climate: guests can spend several hours inside at any time of year, while the sets and equipment are protected from heat, direct sunlight, wind and dust.
For the world of Harry Potter, an enclosed space offers another advantage. Designers can control the lighting, sound and atmosphere, work independently of the weather and conceal transitions between scenes. This gives guests a more cohesive experience.
But an indoor park is more complex from an engineering perspective. Ventilation, evacuation routes, acoustics, lighting and technical spaces must be integrated into the sets so that visitors barely notice them. The more detailed the theming, the earlier these systems must be considered in the design process.
A global IP as a reason to travel
Harry Potter is one of those rare IPs that can persuade families to change their travel plans. Miral expects the new lands to attract international guests as well as UAE residents.[1]
Scale matters here. A single photo spot or themed café can complement a visit. Three fully developed worlds with their own attractions can become a destination in their own right.
Abu Dhabi has steadily been building such reasons to visit Yas Island. Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, SeaWorld and Yas Waterworld already operate in the same area. The new Harry Potter lands will strengthen the entire cluster: tourists can stay on the island longer and visit several parks in one trip.
What this means for Central Asia
Replicating a 63,000 m² project in our region remains difficult and is not always necessary. But several of its principles can be applied on a smaller scale.
First, choose a theme that guests understand before they arrive. A strong story makes marketing easier and helps unite the attractions, sets, food and merchandise into a single product.
Second, create original content for the specific venue. Even a famous IP quickly loses its impact if a park looks like a collection of familiar logos with no new experiences.
Third, design the theming and engineering together. In an indoor park, you cannot build the space first and then «add atmosphere» later. Lighting, sound, ventilation, queues and evacuation routes shape the experience just as much as the sets do.
👀 UZAMUSE’s view
We like the fact that Abu Dhabi is not copying existing Harry Potter parks exactly. Diagon Alley, Hogwarts and the Forbidden Forest will have original attractions designed specifically for Warner Bros. World.[1][3]
For tourists from Uzbekistan, this is a future attraction worth following closely. Yas Island is already well suited to a family trip, and the choice of entertainment will expand considerably once the project is complete.
For our industry, the main lesson is simple: a famous name attracts attention, but people return for the quality of the experience itself. Attractions alone do not create that quality. It also takes a clear visitor journey, attention to detail, good service and a sense that the entire world around the guest follows a single logic.
What has not yet been announced
The names and number of attractions, equipment suppliers, ticketing model and exact opening date remain unknown. Detailed plans for the three lands have not been published.[1][3]
The next important stage will be the unveiling of the rides and the visual concept. Only then will it be possible to assess how the 63,000 m² will be divided among attractions, retail, F&B, queues and circulation areas.
Sources
[1] https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/tourism/miral-announces-construction-of-3-new-harry-potter-themed-lands-at-warner-bros-world-abu-dhabi — Abu Dhabi Media Office: three Harry Potter lands
[2] https://miral.ae/news-item/miral-and-warner-bros-discovery-announce-harry-potter-themed-land-coming-to-abu-dhabis-yas-island — Miral: original Harry Potter land announcement
[3] https://blooloop.com/news/harry-potter-abu-dhabi-expansion — Blooloop: Harry Potter Abu Dhabi expansion
[4] https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/things-to-do/2026/09/01/abu-dhabis-three-harry-potter-themed-lands-set-for-september-7-reveal — The National: Abu Dhabi Harry Potter lands reveal
