Disney to Launch Seventh Theme Park in Abu Dhabi on Yas Island with Miral
Disney has unveiled plans for its seventh theme park and resort, set to grace the waterfront of Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. This ambitious project will be brought to life by Miral, Abu Dhabi's premier developer 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 pivotal role in steering the creative design and operational oversight, ensuring a world-class experience. Disney CEO Bob Iger emphasized during the Q2 2025 Earnings Call that Disney will not invest capital in the project but will receive royalties, stating, "So, there isn't any ownership. 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 excitement 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."
Dubbed "Disneyland Abu Dhabi," the park will be a fusion of Disney's timeless characters and stories with the distinct Emirati culture, creating an oasis of extraordinary entertainment. The park will feature Disney's first-ever modern castle, envisioned as a tower of glass or crystal, as seen in the concept art. The tagline, "A whole new world awaits," suggests a nod to Aladdin, hinting at its inclusion in the park's attractions.
Discussions about this project have been ongoing since 2017, with Iger noting in an ABC News interview that the plan "crystalized" last year. In a CNBC interview, Iger discussed the project's 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 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 also hosts the world's largest global airline hub, seeing 120 million passengers annually. This new park will fill a gap in Disney's global presence, particularly in the Middle East.
His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, emphasized the significance of 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."
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 worldwide, 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."
D'Amaro elaborated, "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.






