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

Disney has exciting news for fans and travelers alike: they've announced the opening of their seventh theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi, situated on the picturesque waterfront of Yas Island. This ambitious project will be brought to life through a collaboration with Miral, the leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences in Abu Dhabi. Miral is renowned for developing attractions like Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and SeaWorld Yas Island.

While Miral will handle the full development, construction, and operation of the park, Disney's Imagineers will ensure the creative design and operational oversight to deliver an unparalleled Disney experience. Disney 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 explained. "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 venture, 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 will be authentically Disney yet distinctly Emirati, serving as an oasis of extraordinary entertainment. Iger further elaborated, "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."

One of the highlights of the new park will be Disney's first-ever modern castle, a stunning tower of glass or crystal as shown in the concept art. The tagline, "A whole new world awaits," suggests that Aladdin might play a significant role in the park's theme. Disney has been discussing this project since 2017, with Iger confirming it was "crystalized" last year.

Speaking about the timeline, Iger told CNBC, "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 park, noting that about one-third of the world's population is within a four-hour flight of the UAE, which is also home to the largest global airline hub, seeing 120 million passengers annually in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, emphasized the synergy between Abu Dhabi and Disney, 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 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 the ranks of Disney's global 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," 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 a 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 celebrations and the Disney Destiny project.