Disney Announces It Will Open Its Seventh Theme Park in Abu Dhabi With Miral on Yas Island

Disney has exciting news for fans worldwide: the company is set to launch its seventh theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi, strategically positioned on the waterfront of Yas Island. This ambitious project is being developed in collaboration with Miral, a leading creator of immersive destinations in Abu Dhabi, known for its work on attractions such as 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 pivotal role in leading the creative design and providing operational oversight. This ensures that guests will enjoy a world-class Disney experience. 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: “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 Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be Disney's first-ever modern castle, depicted in concept art as a stunning tower of glass or crystal. The park's tagline, "A whole new world awaits," suggests a thematic connection to Aladdin, which could be a significant feature of the park.

Disney has been in discussions about this project since 2017, with the plan becoming "crystallized" last year, according to Iger's interview with ABC News. In a conversation with CNBC, Iger mentioned that while the typical timeline for such a project spans from 18 months to two years for design and development, and about five years for construction, no specific dates have been set yet.

Iger also pointed out the strategic location of the park, noting that approximately one-third of the world's population is within a four-hour flight of the UAE, home to the world's largest global airline hub, which sees 120 million passengers annually. This new park will fill a significant gap in Disney's global presence by establishing a presence in the Middle East.

His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, spoke about the cultural significance of the project: “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."

He added, "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, Disneyland Abu Dhabi will join the ranks of other Disney parks, including Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, and Shanghai Disney Resort.

Josh D'Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, highlighted the innovative nature of the new park: “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 updates and insights into the world of Disney, explore our coverage of our exclusive 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.