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.\\\"
Dubbed \\\"Disneyland Abu Dhabi,\\\" the park promises to be both authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati. It will be an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment that celebrates the region\\'s culture and heritage, bringing Disney\\'s timeless characters and stories to life in new and inspiring ways for generations to come.
While specific details remain limited, it\\'s confirmed that the park will feature Disney\\'s first-ever modern castle, depicted in concept art as a striking tower of glass or crystal. The tagline, \\\"A whole new world awaits,\\\" suggests that the beloved tale of Aladdin will play a role in the park\\'s offerings.
Discussions about this project have been ongoing since 2017, but according to Iger\\'s interview with ABC News, the plan was \\\"crystalized\\\" last year. Speaking to CNBC, Iger shared insights on the 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 the park, noting that about one-third of the world\\'s population lives within a four-hour flight of the UAE, which is also home to the world\\'s largest global airline hub. This will not only fill a gap in Disney\\'s global presence but also capitalize on the 120 million passengers traveling through Abu Dhabi and Dubai annually.
His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, expressed pride in the collaboration, 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. 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 completed, 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, enriching Disney\\'s global portfolio. 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 updates and insights into the world of Disney, be sure to check out our coverage of being invited to Walt Disney Imagineering to learn about the first-ever Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic, as well as everything you need to know about Disneyland\\'s 70th anniversary and the Disney Destiny.
","image":"https://imgs.semu.cc/uploads/37/681b83a76add6.webp","datePublished":"2025-05-20T04:40:57+08:00","dateModified":"2025-05-20T04:40:57+08:00","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"semu.cc"}}Disney has exciting news for fans and travelers alike, as they've announced the official opening of their seventh theme park and resort on the stunning waterfront of Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. This ambitious project is being spearheaded by Miral, Abu Dhabi's leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, known for attractions like Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and SeaWorld Yas Island.
Although Miral will handle the development, construction, and operation of the park, Disney and its Imagineers will play a crucial role in steering the creative design and ensuring operational excellence. This collaboration ensures a world-class experience for visitors. Disney's CEO, Bob Iger, emphasized in the Q2 2025 Earnings Call that Disney will not invest capital in the project but will receive royalties, as they license their IP to Miral without taking ownership.
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."
Dubbed "Disneyland Abu Dhabi," the park promises to be both authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati. It will be an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment that celebrates the region's culture and heritage, bringing Disney's timeless characters and stories to life in new and inspiring ways for generations to come.
While specific details remain limited, it's confirmed that the park will feature Disney's first-ever modern castle, depicted in concept art as a striking tower of glass or crystal. The tagline, "A whole new world awaits," suggests that the beloved tale of Aladdin will play a role in the park's offerings.
Discussions about this project have been ongoing since 2017, but according to Iger's interview with ABC News, the plan was "crystalized" last year. Speaking to CNBC, Iger shared insights on the 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 the park, noting that about one-third of the world's population lives within a four-hour flight of the UAE, which is also home to the world's largest global airline hub. This will not only fill a gap in Disney's global presence but also capitalize on the 120 million passengers traveling through Abu Dhabi and Dubai annually.
His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, expressed pride in the collaboration, 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. 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 completed, 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, enriching Disney's global portfolio. 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 updates and insights into the world of Disney, be sure to check out our coverage of being invited to Walt Disney Imagineering to learn about the first-ever Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic, as well as everything you need to know about Disneyland's 70th anniversary and the Disney Destiny.