Fans of Harry Potter will have a new reason to visit Yas Island, with three Harry Potter-themed lands planned for Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi as part of a major expansion of the indoor theme park.
The new areas – Diagon Alley, Hogwarts and the Forbidden Forest – will span approximately 63,000 square metres, with construction targeted for completion in 2029.
The development is expected to add rides created exclusively for Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, giving visitors new attractions rather than simply recreating existing Harry Potter experiences elsewhere.
Harry Potter lands at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
The three new themed areas will bring some of the most recognisable settings from the Harry Potter universe to the Abu Dhabi park.
The planned lands are:
- Diagon Alley
- Hogwarts
- The Forbidden Forest
The announcement does not yet provide details on the individual rides, their themes, capacity, ticket prices or when each attraction will open.
What has been confirmed is that the rides will be created exclusively for the Abu Dhabi park.
For UAE residents and tourists planning future trips to Yas Island, the 2029 target therefore gives a clear indication of when the new Harry Potter attractions are expected to become part of the park’s offering, although the exact opening date has not been announced.
How big will the Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi expansion be?
The Harry Potter development is part of a wider expansion of Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi.
The park currently has six themed lands. In addition to the three Harry Potter areas, two previously announced DC attractions – Kryptonite Collider and Superman Up and Away – are also planned.
Together, the additions are expected to increase the overall size of the park by more than 50 percent, with around 70,000 square metres of additional theme park space.
That makes the project more than a single franchise expansion: it will substantially increase the amount of space and attractions available inside the indoor park.
When will the Harry Potter attractions open?
Construction is targeted for completion in 2029.
No specific opening date has been announced, and the information released does not say when tickets or visitor packages for the new lands will go on sale.
Until further details are released, visitors should therefore treat 2029 as the current construction completion target rather than a confirmed public opening date.
What does this mean for Yas Island?
The expansion adds another major entertainment offering to Yas Island’s existing attractions and forms part of the island’s wider leisure and tourism development.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Miral, said, “The introduction of the three new Harry Potter–themed lands represents a significant milestone in the continued evolution of Yas Island and the emirate of Abu Dhabi.”
He said the expansion reflects Miral’s longstanding partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences and supports Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification and tourism ambitions, while strengthening Yas Island’s position as a global leisure and entertainment destination.
Simon Robinson, President, Global Experiences and Studio Operations at Warner Bros. Discovery, said, “Introducing three new Harry Potter–themed lands allows us to deepen the connection between our iconic franchises and the guests who cherish them.”
He added that the development reflects the company’s long-term vision for immersive entertainment experiences that set new industry benchmarks.
For visitors, the immediate takeaway is that Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi is preparing for a substantial expansion, with Harry Potter at the centre of one of its biggest new additions. More details about the rides and visitor experience are expected as the project progresses.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
