The Walt Disney Company has officially announced plans to develop its first theme park in the Middle East – Disneyland Abu Dhabi – marking the company's seventh global resort destination. This new venture is a collaboration with Miral, Abu Dhabi's leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, and will be situated on Yas Island, a prominent entertainment and leisure hub in Abu Dhabi. With a potential opening in the early 2030’s, the initial project plan includes one theme park and an unknown number of hotels. The park will be located on the waterfront of Yas Island, which already hosts major attractions like Warner Bros. World, SeaWorld and Ferrari World. Disney's Imagineers will lead the creative design and operational oversight, ensuring the park reflects Disney's iconic storytelling. Miral will finance, build and operate the resort. Disneyland Abu Dhabi aims to blend Disney's beloved characters and narratives with Emirati culture, featuring contemporary architecture and cutting-edge technology to offer immersive experiences. The project aligns with Abu Dhabi's vision to position itself as a global destination for entertainment and leisure, contributing to the emirate's economic diversification and growth. Disney says this new venture will be its most technologically advanced park, blending with the city of Abu Dhabi’s future-oriented aesthetic. “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.” “Abu Dhabi is a place where heritage meets innovation, where we preserve our past while designing the future,” said Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral. “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.” “This groundbreaking resort destination represents a new frontier in theme park development,” said Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Experiences. “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.” “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,” said Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO, Miral. “Together, we are creating a place of boundless innovation, where the vision of our leadership continues to inspire the world.” The development of unique experiences will support sustained economic growth in Abu Dhabi and beyond. 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. The project aligns with Abu Dhabi's vision to position itself as a global destination for entertainment and leisure, contributing to the emirate's economic diversification and growth. Disney says this new venture will be its most technologically advanced park, blending with the city of Abu Dhabi’s future-oriented aesthetic. While every Disney resort is anchored with a castle park, this castle will be different than fairytale-style landmarks. The artist rendering of the castle provided by Disney shows a spiralling, crystal-like structure towering above the rest of the park. This is the first time in 15 years Disney has announced a new theme park.
MIRAL ASSETS COMING ONLINE IN 2025 While Disney Abu Dhabi is at least half a decade in the making, several exciting developments on Yas Island are set to reach completion in 2025, including the first phase of the 16,900 sqm expansion of Yas Waterworld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, which is set to open this summer 2025, with 12 new rides and experiences. Additionally, the 560m beachfront development at Yas Bay will serve as an addition to leisure and lifestyle experiences at Yas Bay Waterfront. Dr Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral, revealed in a conversation with media, Warner Bros. World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi is set to significantly expand its footprint in the coming years with new DC attractions, the highly anticipated Wizarding World of Harry Potter, as well as two additional rides, building on the theme park’s immersive and action-packed experiences. The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, anticipated to be the largest of its kind in the region, is set for completion towards the end of 2025 and will offer visitors a fascinating journey through the history of the natural world while showcasing the incredible diversity of life on Earth. teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi welcomed its first guests at Saadiyat Cultural District on Saadiyat Island, upon opening on April 18. The 17,000 sqm multi-sensory art experience was developed in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Japanese art collective, teamLab and is operated by Miral Experiences.