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

Disney has exciting news for fans and travelers alike: it will soon open its seventh theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi on the picturesque waterfront of Yas Island, in collaboration with Miral. Miral, known as Abu Dhabi's premier developer of immersive destinations and experiences, will fully develop, build, and operate this new park. This company is already behind renowned attractions on Yas Island such as Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and SeaWorld Yas Island.

While Disney's Imagineers will play a significant role in the project, providing creative design and operational oversight to ensure a world-class experience, Disney itself will not invest any capital into the development. Instead, Disney will license its intellectual property to Miral and receive royalties, as confirmed by Disney's CEO Bob Iger during the company's Q2 2025 Earnings Call. "So, there isn't any ownership," Iger clarified. "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

Iger expressed his 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 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," Iger added.

Although specific details about the park remain under wraps, it's confirmed that it will feature Disney's first-ever modern castle. Concept art suggests a striking glass or crystal tower, hinting at a new architectural marvel. The tagline, 'A whole new world awaits,' suggests that the beloved story of Aladdin might be a central theme.

Disney's discussions for this project began in 2017, with the plan becoming finalized last year, according to Iger in an interview with ABC News. Speaking to CNBC, Iger mentioned that while no specific opening date has been set, the typical timeline for such a project includes 18 months to two years for design and development, and approximately five years for construction.

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 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, extending its reach into the Middle East.

His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, emphasized the 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."

"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,” Al Mubarak added.

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, expanding Disney's global footprint.

Josh D'Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, described the new resort as "the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio." He elaborated, "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 on Disney, explore our exclusive coverage of a visit to Walt Disney Imagineering to learn about the first-ever Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic and all the details on Disneyland's 70th anniversary and the Disney Destiny.