Disney Unveils Seventh Theme Park in Abu Dhabi on Yas Island with Miral

Disney has recently announced the exciting development of its seventh theme park and resort, set to open on the picturesque 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, known for creating attractions like Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and SeaWorld Yas Island. Although 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 ensuring operational excellence to deliver a top-tier guest experience.

Disney's CEO, Bob Iger, emphasized during the company's Q2 2025 Earnings Call that Disney will not invest any 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 strategic move allows Disney to expand its global footprint without financial risk, while still benefiting from the park's success.

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, 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."

The new park, named Disneyland Abu Dhabi, aims to be authentically Disney while embracing the distinct Emirati culture. It will feature an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment, showcasing timeless characters and stories in innovative ways, promising joy and inspiration for generations to come.

One of the highlights of the 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 elements from the beloved film Aladdin might be incorporated into the park's attractions.

Discussions about this project have been ongoing since 2017, but it was only last year that the plans solidified, as Iger mentioned in an interview with ABC News. While speaking to CNBC, Iger also provided insights into the project's timeline, noting, "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 highlighted the strategic location of Abu Dhabi, noting that about one-third of the world's population lives within a four-hour flight of the UAE, which also houses the world's largest global airline hub. This new park will not only fill a gap in Disney's global presence in the Middle East but also tap into a vast potential audience.

His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, spoke about 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."

Once completed, Disneyland Abu Dhabi will join Disney's impressive portfolio of theme parks, which includes 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 those eager to dive deeper into the world of Disney, explore our exclusive coverage of a visit to Walt Disney Imagineering to learn about the first-ever Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic, and everything you need to know about Disneyland's 70th anniversary and the Disney Destiny.