Disney Abu Dhabi was announced today and will be The Walt Disney Company’s seventh theme park resort, the first in the Middle East. It’ll be on Yas Island, a big tourism spot in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, already home to places like Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, and SeaWorld.
Disney is teaming up with Miral, a local Abu Dhabi company that builds fun and exciting destinations. Miral will pay for, build, and run the resort, while Disney’s Imagineers will handle the creative design and keep an eye on operations, with Disney earning money from the park’s profits.
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Called “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati,” the resort will mix Disney’s famous stories, characters, and rides with Abu Dhabi’s lively culture, beautiful waterfront, and modern buildings. It’s being called Disney’s “most advanced and interactive” theme park, using the latest tech for super immersive experiences. The park will have a castle at its center, designed to show off Abu Dhabi’s modern style, different from the classic castles in other Disney parks. Expect Disney’s usual entertainment, themed hotels, special dining, and shopping that blend in local culture.
Photo credit: Fan Creation
The UAE’s location makes it a great spot for tourists, within a four-hour flight of a third of the world’s people and with a major airline hub handling 120 million passengers yearly through Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Disney sees a chance to reach about 500 million “income-qualified” visitors, fitting Abu Dhabi’s plan to draw 39 million tourists a year by 2030. This project isn’t part of Disney’s $60 billion theme park investment plan, since Disney isn’t directly paying for it.
Photo credit: Fan Creation
No set opening date has been shared, but Disney CEO Bob Iger said design usually takes 18–24 months and building takes 4–6 years, suggesting an opening around 2030–2032. The project is just starting, with specific rides and details still to come.
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,” said Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Experiences.
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