There is already plenty of magic and excitement on Yas Island, but Abu Dhabi is preparing to add one of the world’s most recognisable fictional universes to its growing line-up of attractions.
A new Harry Potter-themed land is being developed inside Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, with an expected opening in 2029. This new entertainment destination is set to be the Middle East's first dedicated Harry Potter-themed land, the theme park within Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi.
What is confirmed is that this will be the Middle East’s first Harry Potter-themed land, bringing the Wizarding World to a region where Abu Dhabi is rapidly establishing itself as a global destination for immersive entertainment.
Where will Harry Potter Abu Dhabi be & what can visitors expect?
The attraction will not be a standalone Harry Potter theme park. Instead, it will form part of an expansion of Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, the fully indoor, climate-controlled theme park on Yas Island.
Opened in 2018, Warner Bros. World covers approximately 153,000 square metres and was recognised as the world’s largest indoor theme park. It currently comprises six themed areas: Warner Bros. Plaza, Bedrock, Dynamite Gulch, Cartoon Junction, Gotham City and Metropolis.
The Harry Potter development is part of the park’s second-phase expansion, with construction continues under way beside the existing structure. The expansion is expected to add roughly 40,000 square metres, increasing the park’s footprint by around 26%. According to The National, site preparation for the new Harry Potter expansion at Warner Bros. World Yas Island began in summer 2025.
While Miral and Warner Bros. have yet to reveal the complete experience, planning documents and the official park website have provided some significant clues. The development is expected to feature Hogwarts Castle and Diagon Alley, potentially making it the first Wizarding World land to bring both locations together. The official Warner Bros. World site currently lists three rides and attractions, alongside dedicated dining and shopping. But for now, details including the attraction names, characters, restaurants and exact opening date remain under wraps.
Other Wizarding Worlds and experiences
At the time of writing, there are four existing Universal destinations with dedicated Wizarding World of Harry Potter lands, plus a separate Warner Bros. Studio Tour experience in London and Tokyo.
Universal Orlando Resort, Florida — Opened in 2010
This is where the first Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened, at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in June 2010. It recreated Hogsmeade, with Hogwarts Castle, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff, shops and restaurants. Universal Orlando later expanded its Harry Potter offering with Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida in 2014, connected to Hogsmeade by the Hogwarts Express. In 2025, a third Orlando land opened at Universal Epic Universe: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, combining 1920s wizarding Paris from Fantastic Beasts with the British Ministry of Magic.
Universal Studios Japan, Osaka — Opened in 2014
Japan's Wizarding World opened in 2014 and is centred on Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Castle. Visitors can ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Flight of the Hippogriff, visit Ollivanders "Makers of Fine Wands" and explore shops, food and interactive wand experiences. Universal describes the area as a detailed recreation of the world seen in the films.
Universal Studios Hollywood, California — Opened in 2016
The Hollywood version opened in 2016, again this Harry Potter experience is also built around Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Castle, with attractions including Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Flight of the Hippogriff.
Universal Beijing Resort, China — 2021
Beijing's version opened when Universal Beijing Resort launched in September 2021. It features Hogwarts Castle, Hogsmeade, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff, Ollivanders, the Three Broomsticks, Honeydukes and other Wizarding World locations.
Riyadh Season - 2024 (Now closed)
For the duration of Riyadh Season 2024, the Kingdom's capital city was home to a unique Harry Potter Experience at Boulevard City. Spanning a massive 25,000 square metres, visitors were able to wander and visit some of the most iconic locations from the Harry Potter films; from Hogwarts Castle to the Three Broomsticks Food Hall. Although now closed, and no re-openings are in the pipeline, this was one of the most popular experiences of the fifth edition of Riyadh Season.
Harry Potter Studio Tours
There are also Warner Brother Studio Tours. These are not theme-park lands, but are worth distinguishing in your article. Warner Bros. operates The Making of Harry Potter studio experiences in London and Tokyo, where visitors explore original film sets, costumes, props and behind-the-scenes production rather than entering a conventional theme-park land. Tokyo's Warner Bros. Studio Tour is currently operating.
Disney & Sphere also headed to Yas Island
Perfectly positioned, thirty minutes from Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport, and just over an hour from Dubai International Airport, Yas Island is already home to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and Yas Marina Circuit, while Disneyland and Sphere Abu Dhabi are also planned for the island.
Announced by The Walt Disney Company and Miral in May 2025, Disneyland Abu Dhabi will debut as a premier waterfront resort, and will mark Disney’s seventh global theme park destination and its first in the Middle East. Under the creative direction of Disney Imagineers, Miral is spearheading the development, construction, and operation of the property. While an official launch date has yet to be confirmed, projections point toward a 2030–2033 window, aligning with Disney’s estimate of a four-to-six-year build out.
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The concept's first expansion outside the United States, Sphere Las Vegas is coming to Abu Dhabi. Set to rise on Yas Island as a $1.7 billion entertainment icon, it is positioned between Yas Mall and SeaWorld. The 20,000-capacity venue will echo the scale and high-tech immersive capabilities of its Las Vegas predecessor. Complete with cutting-edge multi-sensory technology and a massive exterior LED exosphere, the destination is slated to open by late 2029 to host world-class concert residencies, major events, and cultural showcases.
