New ‘Harry Potter’ theme park lands announced — and not where you’d expect
Two new “Harry Potter”-themed lands are planned outside Universal’s theme parks, with projects underway at Legoland Deutschland in Germany and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. Plus, hotel rooms will open at Legoland Deutschland in Germany, marking a switch-up from the usual Universal parks.
Photo by Blake Taylor
No details about the land’s potential rides or attractions have been announced at time, nor has any concept art or opening date been revealed.
That being said, the scale is expected to be big. The announcement is part of an effort to “elevate” Legoland resorts “into world-class destinations,” said Fiona Eastwood, CEO of Merlin Entertainments. The new “Harry Potter” land “marks Merlin’s largest-ever single investment into an existing site,” according to Eastwood.
Notably, the project is not for a Universal theme park. Since 2010, various iterations of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter have debuted (and forever changed the industry) in Florida, California, Japan, and China, including the most recent Ministry of Magic realm at the new Universal Epic Universe theme park.
The “Harry Potter” hotel rooms at Legoland Deutschland will be the first official overnight accommodations inspired by the franchise; Universal does not offer any sort of “Harry Potter” hotel.
The “Harry Potter” project at Legoland Deutschland will be a collaboration between Merlin Entertainments (Legoland operator) and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences (a subsidiary of the studio that produced the “Harry Potter” films).
“We are always looking for new ways for the millions of Harry Potter fans around the world to extend the magic and further connect with the iconic films,” said Peter van Roden, EVP of Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences. “This new destination will allow fans to step into in the familiar LEGO Harry Potter aesthetic they have been constructing for years and physically experience the wizarding world like never before.”
Elsewhere at Legoland Florida and California, an indoor roller coaster called the Galacticoaster is now open.
Separately, a “Potter” land is also planned for Warner Bros. World in Abu Dhabi.
“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” will also return to movie theaters at the end of August 2026.
Harry Potter land at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
A Harry Potter-themed land is under development at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. The 40,000-square-meter expansion is reportedly expected to open in 2029 with three rides, dining and retail locations.
Update: Miral has now revealed that the Abu Dhabi expansion will include three lands — Hogwarts, Diagon Alley and the world’s first permanent Forbidden Forest theme park land — with construction targeted for completion in 2029. Read our full coverage of the newly announced lands here.
Entertainment + Culture Advisors, a consultancy working on the project, listed 2029 as the expected opening year in a May job advertisement, according to The National. However, developer Miral has not officially confirmed the timeframe.
Miral and Warner Bros. Discovery announced the project in 2022. It will become the Middle East’s first Harry Potter-themed land and join Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi’s six existing areas.
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Originally published on December 1, 2025, updated on Sept. 7 2026 by Dani Meyering.
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