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

Disney has exciting news for theme park enthusiasts worldwide: it will soon open its seventh theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi on the picturesque waterfront of Yas Island, in collaboration with Miral. This project marks a significant expansion for Disney, bringing its magical experiences to the Middle East.

As outlined by the Disney Parks Blog, Miral, known as Abu Dhabi's premier creator of immersive destinations, will fully develop, build, and operate this new theme park. Miral is no stranger to creating exceptional experiences, having previously developed attractions such as Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and SeaWorld Yas Island. Despite Miral's operational lead, Disney and its Imagineers will remain deeply involved, ensuring the park's creative design and operational excellence meet Disney's high standards. Disney's CEO Bob Iger emphasized in the Q2 2025 Earnings Call that Disney will not invest capital directly but will benefit from 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

In a statement, Iger expressed enthusiasm 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. 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.”

While specific details remain sparse, it's confirmed that the park will feature Disney's first-ever modern castle, depicted in concept art as a stunning tower of glass or crystal. The accompanying tagline, "A whole new world awaits," suggests that elements from Aladdin will be incorporated into the park's attractions.

The project, which Disney has been discussing since 2017, was "crystalized" last year according to Iger in an ABC News interview. Speaking to CNBC about the timeline, Iger noted, "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." He also highlighted the strategic location of the UAE, home to about a third of the world's population within a four-hour flight radius and the world's largest global airline hub, seeing 120 million passengers annually through Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This new park will fill a significant gap in Disney's global presence, enhancing its footprint in the Middle East.

His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, emphasized the cultural significance of 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, Disney's portfolio will expand to include Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Shanghai Disney, and the new, yet-to-be-named park in Abu Dhabi. Josh D'Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, described the upcoming resort as "the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio," and 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 on the world of Disney, explore our coverage of our visit to Walt Disney Imagineering to learn about the first-ever Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic, and get all the details on Disneyland's 70th anniversary and the Disney Destiny.