Harry Potter Abu Dhabi will bring Hogwarts Castle, Diagon Alley and the Forbidden Forest to Yas Island, with exclusive rides planned for the 2029 attraction.
ABU DHABI: Harry Potter fans in the UAE now have a clearer picture of the magical world taking shape on Yas Island. Harry Potter Abu Dhabi will feature three separate themed lands inspired by Hogwarts Castle, Diagon Alley and the Forbidden Forest as part of a major expansion of Warner Bros. World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
Together, the new areas will cover more than 63,000 square metres and are targeted for completion in 2029.
The expansion will mark the first Harry Potter-themed attraction in the Middle East and will form part of Warner Bros. World’s fully indoor, climate-controlled theme park experience.
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What will visitors find inside?
Each of the three lands will recreate a very different part of the wizarding world.
Diagon Alley is expected to immerse visitors in the magical shopping district familiar from the Harry Potter stories. Hogwarts Castle will bring the famous school of witchcraft and wizardry to Yas Island, while the Forbidden Forest will offer a darker setting inspired by the mysterious woodland surrounding Hogwarts.
Warner Bros. World has also confirmed that Harry Potter Abu Dhabi will include world-exclusive Harry Potter-themed rides created specifically for the Abu Dhabi park.
Exactly what those rides will involve remains under wraps.
One particularly interesting clue is the flying Ford Anglia. The magical car has featured prominently in promotional material for the project, prompting speculation about whether it could inspire one of the attractions.
However, Warner Bros. World has not confirmed that the car will have its own ride, so fans will have to wait for further announcements.
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How big will the expansion be?
The scale of the project is significant.
The three lands will increase the size of Warner Bros. World substantially, creating one of the largest Harry Potter theme park expansions developed anywhere in the world.
Construction is already under way, with the project scheduled to be completed in 2029. An exact public opening date has not yet been announced.
Harry Potter Abu Dhabi will also be entirely indoors, setting it apart from other major wizarding attractions around the world and allowing visitors to explore the experience throughout Abu Dhabi’s hot summer months.
The project comes as Yas Island continues expanding its international entertainment offering. Alongside Warner Bros. World, the destination already includes Ferrari World, SeaWorld Yas Island and Yas Waterworld, with further major attractions planned for the years ahead.
For Harry Potter fans across the UAE, Middle East and South Asia, the addition could become another major reason to plan a trip to Abu Dhabi.
Impact to expect
The Harry Potter expansion could strengthen Yas Island’s position as a global family entertainment destination, attracting international fans while encouraging visitors to stay longer and explore more of Abu Dhabi’s growing attractions.
