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

Disney has exciting news for fans and travelers alike: they are set to open their 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 premier developer of immersive destinations and experiences, known for creating attractions such as 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 involvement remains significant. Disney's Imagineers will lead the creative design and provide operational oversight to ensure a top-tier 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

Iger further elaborated on the significance of this new 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."

The park, named Disneyland Abu Dhabi, aims to blend Disney's beloved stories, characters, and attractions with the vibrant culture and stunning architecture of Abu Dhabi. It is set to feature Disney's first-ever modern castle, which concept art suggests will be a striking tower of glass or crystal. The tagline, "A whole new world awaits," hints at the inclusion of Aladdin-themed attractions, adding to the excitement.

The project, which Disney has been seriously considering since 2017, was solidified last year, according to Iger in an ABC News interview. Speaking to CNBC, Iger provided some insight into the 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 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. This makes Abu Dhabi an ideal location to fill the gap in Disney's global presence in the Middle East.

His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating, "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, 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," 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 being invited 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.