Disney has exciting news for fans and travelers alike, announcing the development of its seventh theme park and resort, set to grace the waterfront of Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. This ambitious project is being spearheaded by Miral, Abu Dhabi's premier developer of immersive destinations and experiences. Miral, known for its work on attractions like Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and SeaWorld Yas Island, will fully develop, build, and operate the new park.
Despite Miral taking the helm, Disney's involvement remains significant. Disney's Imagineers will lead the creative design and provide operational oversight, ensuring a world-class experience. Disney's CEO, Bob Iger, emphasized during the company's Q2 2025 Earnings Call that Disney will not invest capital in the project but will benefit from royalties. "So, there isn't any ownership," Iger clarified. "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, stating, “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. 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 will blend Disney's timeless characters and stories with the distinct Emirati culture, creating a unique entertainment oasis. The park will feature Disney's first-ever modern castle, depicted in concept art as a stunning tower of glass or crystal. The tagline, 'A whole new world awaits,' suggests an Aladdin-themed presence within the park.
Discussions for this project have been ongoing since 2017, with Iger noting in an ABC News interview that the plan was "crystalized" last year. Speaking to CNBC, Iger outlined the project's timeline: "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.”
Iger also highlighted the strategic location of the UAE, noting that about a third of the world's population lives within a four-hour flight of the region, which is also home to the world's largest global airline hub, seeing 120 million passengers annually. This new park will fill a significant gap in Disney's global presence, particularly in the Middle East.
His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, praised the collaboration, saying, “Abu Dhabi is a place where heritage meets innovation, where we preserve our past while designing the future. 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, the new park will join the ranks of other Disney destinations including Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, and Shanghai Disney. Josh D'Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, described the upcoming resort as "the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio," emphasizing its unique waterfront location and innovative storytelling methods.
“This groundbreaking resort destination represents a new frontier in theme park development,” D’Amaro stated. “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 more updates on Disney's ventures, including insights into the first-ever Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic and celebrations for Disneyland's 70th anniversary, stay tuned to our coverage.
