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 has announced plans to open its seventh theme park and resort on the waterfront of Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. This ambitious project is being spearheaded by Miral, Abu Dhabi's leading creator 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 leading the creative design and operational oversight to ensure a world-class experience. Disney's CEO, Bob Iger, emphasized during the Q2 2025 Earnings Call that Disney will not invest any 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 enthusiasm about the project, noting, "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 aims to be "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."

The park will feature Disney's first-ever modern castle, which concept art suggests will be a tower of glass or crystal with stunning architecture. The tagline, "A whole new world awaits," hints at an Aladdin-themed attraction.

Disney has been discussing this project since 2017, with Iger mentioning in an ABC News interview that it "crystalized" last year. While no specific opening date has been set, Iger told CNBC that the typical timeline for such a project is 18 months to two years for design and development, and about five years for construction.

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 is also the home to the world's largest airline hub, with 120 million passengers annually passing through Abu Dhabi and Dubai. 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 project's significance, 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."

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 resorts 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," saying, "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 Disney insights, explore our coverage of a visit to Walt Disney Imagineering to learn about the first-ever Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic and details on Disneyland's 70th anniversary celebrations, along with information about the Disney Destiny.