Les trois terres à thème Harry Potter d'Abu Dhabi seront dévoilées le 7 septembre

Abu Dhabi’s plans for three Harry Potter-themed lands at Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi were officially announced during Tuesday’s live-streamed Back to Hogwarts Showcase. The announcement came as part of a broader effort to expand the Yas Island entertainment complex, which already hosts six themed lands including Warner Bros Plaza, Bedrock, Dynamite Gulch, Cartoon Junction, Gotham City, and Metropolis. The teaser video featured an iconic scene from the Harry Potter film series, the enchanted Ford Anglia, before showcasing the distinctive Warner Bros World water tower. The clip concluded with the message “Three new themed lands” and “Reveal, 7 September.” A countdown displayed on the screen was set to expire on Monday, September 7, at 12pm UAE time. The update included an accompanying webpage that clarified the nature of the expansion. According to the site, all three new lands will be dedicated to the Harry Potter franchise. “Three Harry Potter-themed lands are planned to be added to Warner Bros World, Yas Island Abu Dhabi,” it stated. However, the names of the lands and specific attractions remain undisclosed. There is also uncertainty regarding whether the original development, which was initially described as a single themed area, has been subdivided into three separate zones or has undergone a larger expansion. The project was first introduced in 2022 by Miral, the developer behind Yas Island, and Warner Bros Discovery. At that time, the plan was described as a “significant in scale” Harry Potter-themed land that would allow visitors to experience familiar locations from the wizarding world “in an all-new way.” This initial description was still in use as recently as May, when Miral mentioned that the expansion would include a Harry Potter-themed land alongside two new DC-themed attractions. The current announcement marks a shift from that earlier vision. Industry reports and planning documents reviewed by The National suggested that the development might feature key locations such as Hogwarts Castle, Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade, and the Forbidden Forest, along with approximately three original rides. It remains unclear whether these elements will align with the three themed lands teased during the showcase. The Ford Anglia, which appears prominently in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, played a central role in the teaser. The car features in several pivotal scenes, including a dramatic flight to Hogwarts and a rescue mission in the Forbidden Forest. While the Ford Anglia is a well-known symbol of the franchise, no ride featuring this vehicle has been officially announced. The development is expected to be the first permanent Harry Potter-themed park outside of Universal Studios properties and the first of its kind in the Middle East. Like the rest of Warner Bros World, the new lands will be fully indoor and climate-controlled. An advertisement posted in May by Entertainment + Culture Advisors, a consultancy involved in the project, indicated that the opening was anticipated for 2029. However, Miral has not yet confirmed this timeline, and the exact launch date remains unspecified. The announcement coincided with the Back to Hogwarts celebration in London, drawing international fans who gathered to celebrate the franchise. Attendees shared their excitement over the new Abu Dhabi location, which they see as a major addition to the global Harry Potter map. Mexican fan Azul, known online as Blue Menaa, traveled from Mexico for the event and had previously visited Universal Studios Hollywood’s Harry Potter land. For her, the possibility of visiting Abu Dhabi represents a personal milestone. “That will be my dream come true,” she said. “There are people from every single part of the world here. Magic keeps us together.”