Disney to Launch 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, strategically located on the waterfront of Yas Island. This ambitious project is being brought to life in collaboration with Miral, Abu Dhabi's leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences. Miral, already known for managing attractions like Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and SeaWorld Yas Island, will fully develop, build, and operate this new Disney park.

Despite Miral's operational role, Disney's Imagineers will maintain a strong presence by leading the creative design and operational oversight. This ensures that the park will deliver the world-class experience Disney is known for. Disney's CEO, Bob Iger, confirmed 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 stated. "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: "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." It promises to bring Disney's timeless characters and stories to life in innovative ways, inspiring joy and creativity for generations to come.

Although details are still emerging, 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 tagline, 'A whole new world awaits,' suggests the inclusion of themes from Aladdin.

Disney has been in discussions about this project since 2017, with plans solidifying last year, according to Iger in an ABC News interview. In a CNBC interview, Iger shared insights into the project timeline: "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 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 with 120 million passengers annually. This new park will bridge the gap in Disney's presence in the Middle East region.

His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, emphasized the cultural significance of the project: "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 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 Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, and Shanghai Disney Resort. Josh D'Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, described the new resort as "the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio."

"This groundbreaking resort destination represents a new frontier in theme park development," D’Amaro said. "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 updates, explore our coverage of the first-ever Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic at Walt Disney Imagineering and the celebrations planned for Disneyland's 70th anniversary, along with insights into the Disney Destiny.