Disney has exciting news for fans around the globe: they are set to open their seventh theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi, strategically located on the waterfront of Yas Island. This ambitious project will come to life through a partnership with Miral, Abu Dhabi's leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences. Miral, known for attractions such as Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and SeaWorld Yas Island, will fully develop, build, and operate this new Disney park.
Despite Miral's operational role, Disney's Imagineers will maintain significant involvement, leading the creative design and operational oversight to ensure a world-class experience. Disney CEO Bob Iger confirmed during the Q2 2025 Earnings Call that Disney will not invest capital directly into the project but will receive royalties instead. "So, there isn't any ownership," Iger stated. "We own our IP and license it to them is essentially the agreement."
This new theme park resort in Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati - combing Disney’s iconic stories, characters and attractions with Abu Dhabi’s vibrant culture, stunning shorelines, and breathtaking architecture. ✨ https://t.co/M1GHeYgr4H #YasIsland… pic.twitter.com/IyjODlj9ar
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) May 7, 2025
Iger expressed enthusiasm about the project in a statement, highlighting the cultural richness and creativity of Abu Dhabi. "This is a thrilling moment for our company as we announce plans to build an exciting Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, whose culture is rich with an appreciation of the arts and creativity," he said. "As our seventh theme park destination, it will rise from this land in spectacular fashion, blending contemporary architecture with cutting-edge technology to offer guests deeply immersive entertainment experiences in unique and modern ways."
Disneyland Abu Dhabi promises to be a unique blend of Disney magic and Emirati culture, described as an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment. It will feature Disney's first-ever modern castle, envisioned as a tower of glass or crystal, symbolizing stunning architecture. The concept art shared alongside the announcement suggests an Aladdin theme, hinted at by the tagline "A whole new world awaits."
Discussions about this project have been ongoing since 2017, with Iger noting in an ABC News interview that the plans "crystalized" last year. In a CNBC interview, Iger discussed the timeline, saying, "We’re not pinning down a date yet. It typically takes us between 18 months and two years to design and fully develop and approximately five years to build but we’re not making any commitments right now."
Strategically, the park's location is ideal, as about a third of the world's population is within a four-hour flight of the UAE, which also hosts the world's largest global airline hub, with 120 million passengers traveling through Abu Dhabi and Dubai annually. This new park will fill a significant gap in Disney's global presence, particularly in the Middle East region.
His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, emphasized the blend of heritage and innovation in Abu Dhabi. "Abu Dhabi is a place where heritage meets innovation, where we preserve our past while designing the future," he said. "The collaboration between Abu Dhabi and Disney demonstrates the remarkable results of combining visionary leadership and creative excellence. What we are creating with Disney in Abu Dhabi is a whole new world of imagination — an experience that will inspire generations across the region and the world, creating magical moments and memories that families will treasure forever. Through the development of unique attractions and experiences, Abu Dhabi continues to be a destination of choice for the world."
Upon completion, Disney's portfolio will expand to include Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Shanghai Disney, and the new park in Abu Dhabi. Josh D'Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, described the upcoming resort as "the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio." "This groundbreaking resort destination represents a new frontier in theme park development," D’Amaro said. "The location of our park is incredibly unique – anchored by a beautiful waterfront – which will allow us to tell our stories in completely new ways. This project will reach guests in a whole new part of the world, welcoming more families to experience Disney than ever before. Ultimately, it will be a celebration of what’s possible when creativity and progress come together."
For those eager to learn more about Disney's innovative ventures, check out our coverage of being invited to Walt Disney Imagineering to explore the first-ever Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic, and everything you need to know about Disneyland's 70th anniversary and the Disney Destiny.
