Disney has exciting news for fans and travelers alike: the company is set to open its seventh theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi, located on the picturesque waterfront of Yas Island. This ambitious project is being spearheaded by Miral, Abu Dhabi's leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, known for attractions like Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and SeaWorld Yas Island.
While Miral will handle the development, construction, and operation of the park, Disney's Imagineers will play a crucial role in leading the creative design and operational oversight. This collaboration ensures a world-class experience that remains true to Disney's standards. Disney's CEO, Bob Iger, emphasized during the Q2 2025 Earnings Call that Disney will not invest capital in the project but will receive 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
In a statement, Iger expressed enthusiasm about the project, saying, "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."
He further described the park as "authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati – an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment at this crossroads of the world that will bring to life our timeless characters and stories in many new ways and will become a source of joy and inspiration for the people of this vast region to enjoy for generations to come."
One of the highlights of the new park will be 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 that the park may feature elements from the beloved story of Aladdin.
Disney has been discussing this project since 2017, with plans solidifying last year, according to Iger in an interview with ABC News. Speaking to CNBC, Iger provided some insight into the timeline, stating, "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 park, noting that about one-third of the world's population lives within a four-hour flight of the UAE, which is also home to the world's largest global airline hub, seeing 120 million passengers annually through Abu Dhabi and Dubai. 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, shared his vision for the project, 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, this 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 new resort as "the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio," adding, "This groundbreaking resort destination represents a new frontier in theme park development. 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 insights into the world of Disney, explore our coverage of a visit to Walt Disney Imagineering to learn about the first-ever Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic, and discover everything you need to know about Disneyland's 70th anniversary and the Disney Destiny.
