Disney and Miral to Open Seventh Theme Park in Abu Dhabi on Yas Island

Disney has exciting news for fans and thrill-seekers alike: it will officially open its seventh theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi on the waterfront of Yas Island, in collaboration with Miral. As detailed by the Disney Parks Blog, this new venture will be entirely developed, built, and operated by Miral, known for creating immersive destinations and experiences on Yas Island, including Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and SeaWorld Yas Island.

Despite the operational handover, Disney and its Imagineers will maintain a significant role, overseeing creative design and operational aspects to ensure a world-class experience. Disney's CEO Bob Iger highlighted during the Q2 2025 Earnings Call that Disney is not investing any capital in the project but will receive royalties. "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

In a statement, Iger expressed enthusiasm about the project, saying, "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."

He further described the park as "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."

The park will feature Disney's first-ever modern castle, depicted in concept art as a stunning glass or crystal tower. The tagline, "A whole new world awaits," suggests that Aladdin will play a significant role in the park's theme.

Discussions about this project began in 2017, but it was only last year that the plans "crystalized," according to Iger in an interview with ABC News. Speaking to CNBC, Iger noted that a precise timeline hasn't been set, stating, "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."

He emphasized 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 also hosts the world's largest global airline hub, with 120 million passengers traveling through Abu Dhabi and Dubai annually. This new park will fill a crucial gap in Disney's global presence in the Middle East region.

His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, emphasized the blend of heritage and innovation that Abu Dhabi represents. "The collaboration between Abu Dhabi and Disney demonstrates the remarkable results of combining visionary leadership and creative excellence," he said. "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."

Upon completion, this park will join the ranks of other Disney destinations, including Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Shanghai Disney, and the new park in Abu Dhabi.

Josh D'Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, described the new resort as "the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio." He added, "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 Disney-related news and experiences, explore our coverage of a visit to Walt Disney Imagineering to learn about the first-ever Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic, and everything you need to know about Disneyland's 70th anniversary and the Disney Destiny.