Entertainment

Fans of the wizarding world will soon have a magical new destination in the UAE, as a Harry Potter-themed land is being developed at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

The upcoming attraction will be unique globally because it will feature both Hogwarts Castle and Diagon Alley in the same themed land — something that currently does not exist anywhere else in the world.

First-of-its-kind Harry Potter experience

The new expansion will allow visitors to walk directly from the magical shopping street of Diagon Alley to the iconic Hogwarts castle within a single park area. In other theme parks, such as those at Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, the two locations are split between separate parks.

This makes the Abu Dhabi development the first place globally where both major locations will coexist in one themed land, giving visitors a seamless wizarding world experience.

Construction permits indicate the project will include:

• A full recreation of Diagon Alley with themed shops

• A large Hogwarts Castle structure likely housing a flagship ride

• A Harry Potter-themed ride attraction

• A possible area inspired by the Forbidden Forest, featuring magical creatures

Major expansion underway

The Harry Potter land forms part of a major expansion at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, which opened in 2018 and remains one of the world’s largest indoor theme parks.

The new development is expected to increase the park’s size by around 26 percent. Alongside the wizarding world addition, a new Superman-themed roller coaster is also planned in the Metropolis zone, inspired by the iconic Superman universe.

The project is estimated to cost between $545 million and $816 million and is being developed with creative support from Thinkwell, a themed entertainment design company that previously worked on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in the UK.

Immersive wizarding world details

If the design follows other Harry Potter attractions, visitors can expect detailed recreations of crooked shopfronts in Diagon Alley, elaborate magical architecture similar to the wizard bank Gringotts, and hidden references throughout the environment.

The towering Hogwarts castle will likely feature Gothic-style turrets and arched windows, recreating the famous school from the Harry Potter franchise.

Storyline still to be confirmed

Developers have not yet revealed whether the attraction will be based primarily on the original Harry Potter films, the books, or the upcoming HBO television adaptation currently in development.

Because the new series will reportedly feature recast characters, the decision could influence which stories, characters and locations become central to the park experience.

Abu Dhabi’s growing global theme park hub

The wizarding world expansion further strengthens Yas Island’s position as a major global entertainment destination. The island already hosts multiple major attractions, and global theme park operators increasingly see the emirate as a strategic location for new experiences.

With its scale, immersive design and combination of Hogwarts and Diagon Alley in one place, the new Harry Potter land is expected to become one of the most anticipated theme park attractions in the region.

For fans who have long dreamed of leaving Ollivanders wand shop and heading straight toward the gates of Hogwarts, that magical journey may soon become reality in Abu Dhabi.

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