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When rumors first started spreading that Universal was building a theme park in the United Kingdom, it was the kind of move that felt both long overdue and quietly seismic. The company has made billions transporting fans into cinematic universes, and the UK—home to some of the most globally recognizable stories—seemed like a natural next step.
This week, we finally received confirmation that the park is happening. With the blessing of Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the backing of Universal Destinations & Experiences, the project is officially moving forward. The park is scheduled to open in 2031 and, according to Universal, will offer “world-class, immersive experiences and attractions” plus “unparalleled storytelling and technological innovation.”
But when concept art dropped, many fans weren’t focused on what was there—they were focused on what wasn’t.
Credit: Universal
Where Is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter?
The artwork suggests themed lands based on Minions, Jurassic World, Back to the Future, and DreamWorks Animation. But there’s no trace of Harry Potter—no Hogwarts, no Diagon Alley, no Forbidden Journey ride—despite the franchise’s dominance across every other Universal resort worldwide.
Universal’s Florida and California parks each include Hogsmeade. In Orlando, fans can take the Hogwarts Express to Diagon Alley, explore Knockturn Alley, and (starting in May) walk through the Ministry of Magic. Universal Studios Japan and Beijing both offer full-fledged Harry Potter lands as well.
So, what gives?
Credit: Universal
“Universal building a theme park without Nintendo and without Harry Potter is such an absurdly confident mood that I’m both shocked and impressed,” wrote one user on X, formerly known as Twitter. Another asked: “No Potter in the UK is absurd.” Others pointed to Universal Studios Singapore—a park that also lacks a Wizarding World—as a possible blueprint for the UK resort.
Legal Limits or Strategic Move?
There’s one likely explanation. Just under an hour from the Bedfordshire site sits Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, a major tourist attraction built on the soundstages where the original films were shot. The tour is operated by Warner Bros., which also controls the Harry Potter film rights.
Though Universal holds the theme park license, building a second Wizarding World down the road from the original set might test the limits of that agreement.
Credit: Universal Studios Japan
There are also commercial considerations. The UK sends huge crowds to Orlando each year—many of whom cite Harry Potter as the primary reason for booking. By keeping the full Wizarding World experience exclusive to the U.S., Universal may be protecting one of its most valuable tourism pipelines.
Of course, it’s still early. The park won’t open for six years, and concept art can evolve dramatically during development. Harry Potter might yet appear. And even if it doesn’t, Universal has a deep bench of British-friendly IPs it’s never explored: Paddington, James Bond, and Lord of the Rings, to name a few.
Still, for a park planting its flag on British soil, the lack of visible wizardry is hard to ignore. Whether it’s a strategic pivot, a licensing limitation, or just a case of not showing all the cards at once, fans have made one thing clear—they’re watching closely.
