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

Disney has exciting news for fans worldwide: it will officially open its seventh theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi on the waterfront of Yas Island, in collaboration with Miral. As highlighted by the Disney Parks Blog, Miral, known for creating immersive destinations such as Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and SeaWorld Yas Island, will fully develop, build, and operate this new theme park. Despite this, Disney's Imagineers will maintain a significant role, leading the creative design and operational oversight to ensure a world-class experience.

In Disney's Q2 2025 Earnings Call, CEO Bob Iger clarified that the company will not invest any 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 approach allows Disney to expand its global presence without direct financial investment.

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, 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."

Disneyland Abu Dhabi promises 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."

Although specific details remain scarce, it's confirmed that the park will feature Disney's first-ever modern castle, depicted as a tower of glass or crystal in the concept art. The tagline "A whole new world awaits" suggests that Aladdin will be a significant part of the park's theme.

Disney has been discussing this project since 2017, with plans solidifying last year, as mentioned by Iger in an interview with ABC News. Speaking to CNBC, Iger provided a timeline, saying, "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 a 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, seeing 120 million passengers annually through Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This new park will strategically fill a gap in Disney's global presence in the Middle East.

His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, emphasized the cultural significance of the project, saying, "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 further 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."

Once complete, 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, becoming the seventh jewel in Disney's crown.

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 Disney's innovations, explore our coverage of the first-ever Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic at Walt Disney Imagineering, and learn about the festivities planned for Disneyland's 70th anniversary and the Disney Destiny.