Disney has announced that it will officially be opening its seventh theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi on the waterfront of Yas Island with the help of Miral. As detailed by Disney Parks Blog, this new theme park will be fully developed, built, and operated by Miral, which is Abu Dhabi's "leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences" and is responsible for other such experiences on Yas Island like Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and SeaWorld Yas Island.
Disney and its Imagineers will still be heavily involved in the project and will "lead creative design and operational oversight to provide a world-class experience." Furthermore, Disney's CEO Bob Iger said in Disney's Q2 2025 Earnings Call that the company is investing no capital but will still get royalties. "So, there isn't any ownership," Iger said. "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
“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,” Iger also said in a statement. “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 we didn't learn too much more about this new park, it was confirmed that it will be anchored by Disney's first-ever modern castle. In a piece of concept art shared with the announcement, it looks like the castle will be a tower of glass or crystal with some stunning architecture. The tagline, 'A whole new world awaits," also hints at Aladdin being part of the park.
Disney has been seriously discussing this project since 2017, but Iger mentioned in an interview with ABC News that it was "crystalized" last year.
Iger also spoke to CNBC and discussed a bit about the timeline of this project. "We’re not pinning down a date yet,” Iger said. “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 then noted that around 1/3 of the world's population lives within about a four-hour flight of the UAE, which is also home to the largest global airline hub in the world that sees 120 million passengers traveling through Abu Dhabi and Dubai every year. This also will fill in nicely in the world map of Disney Parks, as it will fill the gap the company has in the Middle East region.
“Abu Dhabi is a place where heritage meets innovation, where we preserve our past while designing the future,” His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, said. “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.”
When this park is complete, Disney will have Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Shanghai Disney, and this currently unnamed park in Abu Dhabi.
Josh D'Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, added that this resort will be 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 in the world of Disney, check out our experience of being invited to Walt Disney Imagineering to learn more about the first-ever Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic and everything you need to know about Disneyland's 70th anniversary and the Disney Destiny.
