Miral and Warner Bros. Discovery have confirmed that the upcoming Harry Potter-themed expansion at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi will be the first in the world to house both Hogwarts Castle and Diagon Alley within a single theme park gate.
The $800 million project marks a significant departure from previous licensing models, as it will be the first Wizarding World attraction in a theme park not operated by Universal Destinations & Experiences.
Since its initial announcement in 2022, details on the Yas Island expansion remained closely guarded. However, recently issued government construction permits have confirmed the scale and technical scope of the project, which is set to grow the world’s largest indoor theme park by approximately 26%.
Strategic Integration and Master Planning
While Universal Orlando Resort features both iconic locales, they are strategically separated across two parks (Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure) to drive multi-gate attendance and park-to-park ticket sales via the Hogwarts Express.
Abu Dhabi’s "double-feature" approach represents a different commercial strategy:
- Footprint Expansion: The 40,000-square-metre land will be a major Phase 2 expansion for Warner Bros. World, which currently sits at 153,000 square metres.
- New Rides & IP Implementation: Permits detail three new Harry Potter attractions, including a major ride within the Hogwarts Castle structure. Industry speculation suggests these will utilize entirely new ride systems and media, as Universal holds the proprietary rights to its existing attraction designs (such as Forbidden Journey).
- The Forbidden Forest: The plans also identify an area listed as "Fores," widely interpreted by consultants as a Forbidden Forest environment, potentially featuring advanced animatronics.
Financial and Construction Overview
The project is a significant capital commitment for Miral, with construction costs estimated between AED 2 billion and AED 3 billion ($545m – $816m).
Lead project partners identified in official documentation include:
- Consultant: Egis Middle East Engineering
- Contractor: Zublin Construction
- Creative Consultant: TAIT (incorporating the expertise of Thinkwell, the firm behind the original park’s design).
Beyond the Wizarding World, the Phase 2 expansion includes a new Superman-themed roller coaster located between the Metropolis and Gotham City zones, further densifying the park’s thrill-ride inventory.
Outlook for Yas Island
Mohamed Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral, noted that the team is being pushed to exceed existing global standards for immersion: "I’m sure the quality of the master plan and the design will be either at the same level or... even better than what you have seen."
The expansion arrives as Yas Island continues its trajectory toward becoming a global "giga-destination." With the recent opening of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and the 2025 announcement of a seventh global Disney Theme Park Resort on the island, the addition of a unique Harry Potter experience solidifies the region's competitive standing against established hubs like Orlando.
