Disney Theme Park and Resort in Abu Dhabi

Today during The Walt Disney Company’s Q2 FY25 Investors Earnings webcast, Disney announced an agreement with Miral for a new Theme Park and Resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Miral is Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences and has collaborated with other American and European brands to develop a number of family entertainment destinations.

The new resort will be fully developed and built by Miral with Disney Imagineers leading creative design of the new resort. Miral will also operate the resort with Disney providing operational input to provide a world-class experience for guests visiting the resort.

The new resort will be a waterfront resort located on Yas Island, a world-class destination for entertainment and leisure, connecting travelers from the Middle East and Africa, India, Asia, Europe, and beyond. This will be Disney’s seventh resort destination, combining Disney’s iconic stories, characters and attractions with Abu Dhabi’s vibrant culture, stunning shorelines, and breathtaking architecture.

“Bringing a Disney theme park resort to Yas Island marks a historic milestone in our journey to further advance the island’s position as a global destination for exceptional entertainment and leisure. Together, we are creating a place of boundless innovation, where the vision of our leadership continues to inspire the world.”

Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO, Miral

Disney Abu Dhabi Theme Park & Resort Artist Concept

“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.”

His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral

“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 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.”

Robert A. Iger, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company

Disney Abu Dhabi Announcement with Miral — Pictured (from left to right): Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral, His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Miral, His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company and Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Experiences

The UAE is located within a four-hour flight of one-third of the world’s population, making it a significant gateway for tourism. It is home to the largest global airline hub in the world, with 120 million passengers traveling through Abu Dhabi and Dubai each year. 

“This groundbreaking resort destination represents a new frontier in theme park development. Our resort in Abu Dhabi will be the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio. 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.”

Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Experiences

Upon completion, the new theme park resort will offer signature Disney entertainment, themed accommodations, unique dining and retail experiences, and storytelling in a way that celebrates both the heritage of Disney and the futuristic and cultural essence of Abu Dhabi. At the time of the announcement this morning, neither a construction start date or a tentative completion were announced.

Official Disney Announcement Video

Watch the official Disney announcement video released this morning during the Investors Earnings webcast.

My Thoughts

What do you think of a Disney theme park in Abu Dhabi? Based on the information that was shared, it will be a Disney theme park unlike any other in the world with unique architecture and beautiful waterfront views. The agreement between Disney and Miral sounds very similar to the agreement between Disney and The Oriental Land Company which owns and operates the Tokyo Disney Resort. So, while I have concerns about the new theme park and resort, I also have hopes that the destination will be something so unique, but truly Disney that I will want to experience.