Disney and Miral to Open Seventh Theme Park in Abu Dhabi on Yas Island

Disney has exciting news for fans and travelers alike: it's set to open its seventh theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi on the picturesque waterfront of Yas Island. This ambitious project is being brought to life in collaboration with Miral, known as Abu Dhabi's premier creator of immersive destinations and experiences. Miral, which has already made a mark with attractions like Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and SeaWorld Yas Island, will fully develop, build, and operate this new Disney-themed park.

Despite Miral taking the reins on the development, Disney's Imagineers will play a crucial role, leading the creative design and operational oversight to ensure 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 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

Iger further highlighted the cultural significance of this venture, 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."

Dubbed "Disneyland Abu Dhabi," the park promises to be authentically Disney yet distinctly Emirati, creating an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment. Iger described it as, "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."

While details remain sparse, one exciting confirmation is that the park will feature Disney's first-ever modern castle. Concept art reveals a stunning glass or crystal tower, hinting at a visually spectacular centerpiece. The park's tagline, 'A whole new world awaits,' suggests a thematic connection to the beloved story of Aladdin.

The project, which has been in serious discussion since 2017, was solidified last year, according to Iger in an ABC News interview. Speaking to CNBC, Iger provided insight into the project's 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."

Iger also highlighted the strategic location of Abu Dhabi, noting that about one-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, seeing 120 million passengers annually through Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This new park will strategically fill a gap in Disney's global presence in the Middle East region.

His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, emphasized the synergy between Abu Dhabi and Disney, 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."

Al Mubarak further elaborated, "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 the ranks of other Disney parks such as 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."

D'Amaro added, "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, don't miss out on our coverage of a special visit to Walt Disney Imagineering to explore the first-ever Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic, along with all you need to know about Disneyland's 70th anniversary and the Disney Destiny.