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

Disney has exciting news for theme park enthusiasts as it gears up to open its seventh theme park and resort on the stunning waterfront of Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. This venture is in collaboration with Miral, a leading name in creating immersive destinations and experiences in Abu Dhabi, known for attractions such as Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and SeaWorld Yas Island.

While Miral will take the helm in developing, building, and operating the new park, Disney's Imagineers will play a crucial role in steering the creative design and operational oversight, ensuring a top-tier Disney experience. Disney CEO Bob Iger highlighted during the company's Q2 2025 Earnings Call that Disney will not invest capital directly but will receive royalties, stating, "So, there isn't any ownership. 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 enthusiasm about the project, emphasizing its cultural significance. "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," he stated. "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 a harmonious blend of Disney magic and Emirati heritage, promising an "oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment" that will inspire generations. The park will feature Disney's first-ever modern castle, envisioned as a tower of glass or crystal, hinting at a captivating architectural marvel. The tagline, "A whole new world awaits," suggests an Aladdin-themed attraction, adding to the excitement.

Discussions about this project have been ongoing since 2017, but Iger noted in an ABC News interview that the plan solidified last year. Speaking to CNBC about the timeline, Iger mentioned, "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."

The strategic location of Abu Dhabi, within a four-hour flight of a third of the world's population and near the largest global airline hub, positions the new park to attract a significant number of visitors. This addition will fill a gap in Disney's global park network, particularly in the Middle East.

His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, underscored the project's significance, 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."

"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 other Disney destinations, 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, highlighted the innovative nature of the project, saying, "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 on Disney's latest ventures, dive into our coverage of a visit to Walt Disney Imagineering to discover the first-ever Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic, and explore everything you need to know about Disneyland's 70th anniversary and the Disney Destiny.