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

Disney has exciting news for fans around the world: the company is set to open its seventh theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi, located on the picturesque waterfront of Yas Island. This ambitious project will be developed, built, and operated by Miral, Abu Dhabi's leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences. Miral is already known for other iconic attractions on Yas Island, including Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and SeaWorld Yas Island.

Although Miral will handle the construction and operation, Disney and its Imagineers will play a pivotal role in the project. They will lead the creative design and provide 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 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 expressed his enthusiasm, 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 aims to be authentically Disney while embracing the distinct Emirati culture. It promises to be an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment, bringing timeless characters and stories to life in innovative ways. "Disneyland Abu Dhabi will 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," Iger said.

While specifics remain sparse, it's confirmed that the park will feature Disney's first-ever modern castle. Concept art reveals a stunning glass or crystal tower, hinting at a unique architectural marvel. The tagline, "A whole new world awaits," suggests a connection to the beloved story of Aladdin.

Disney has been discussing this project since 2017, with plans crystallizing last year, according to Iger's interview with ABC News. Speaking to CNBC, Iger provided some insight into the timeline, noting, "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 lives 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, particularly in the Middle East.

His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, emphasized the significance of this collaboration: "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 continued, "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 an impressive lineup of Disney parks, 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." He 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 more insights into the world of Disney, explore our coverage of an exclusive visit to Walt Disney Imagineering, where we learned about the first-ever Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic, and get all the details on Disneyland's 70th anniversary and the Disney Destiny.