Walt Disney Co. (DIS.N) unveiled plans on Wednesday to develop a new Disney theme park in Abu Dhabi, marking the entertainment giant’s first major new theme park in nearly a decade and its inaugural venture into the Middle East.
The project, a collaboration with regional developer Miral Group, will feature a Disney waterfront resort located on Yas Island. Known for its family-friendly attractions, Yas Island is already home to Warner Bros. World Yas Island, SeaWorld Yas Island, and Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi. In 2023, the island saw over 34 million visits, reflecting a 38% increase compared to the previous year, according to Miral Group.
Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney’s Experiences unit, emphasized the company’s longstanding interest in expanding its reach to new audiences in the Middle East. “We’ve always been interested in this part of the world – to bring our Disney stories to new, younger fans,” D’Amaro said. He highlighted Abu Dhabi’s suitability as a prime location for the theme park.
Miral Group, based in Abu Dhabi, will finance, build, and operate the resort, with Disney’s Imagineers—the creative team behind the company’s theme parks—overseeing design and operational direction. Disney will earn royalties based on the park’s revenue, as detailed in a regulatory filing.
According to Disney CEO Bob Iger, the new park will blend the company’s iconic entertainment with the cultural richness of the UAE. “The park will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati—an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment at the crossroads of the world,” Iger said.
Abu Dhabi’s tourism ambitions are part of a broader strategy to diversify its economy, traditionally driven by oil. The UAE capital has committed to investing over $10 billion in infrastructure projects to enhance its tourism sector. In addition, Dubai’s international airport is planning a significant expansion, aiming to handle 120 million passengers annually by 2026.
Although Disney has not announced an official opening date for the park, D’Amaro indicated that large-scale projects of this nature typically require one to two years of design and an additional four to six years for construction. Once completed, the resort will feature Disney-themed attractions, dining, and retail experiences, fusing Disney storytelling with Abu Dhabi’s cultural heritage.
The Abu Dhabi park will be Disney’s first new theme park since the opening of Shanghai Disneyland in 2016. This venture aligns with Disney’s broader strategy to expand its Experiences unit, which includes its global theme park resorts, cruise line, and a family resort in Hawaii. In 2023, Disney pledged $60 billion over the next decade to expand its cruise fleet and invest further in its theme parks. The company also took a minority stake in Epic Games, the creator of the popular online game Fortnite.
Miral Group first approached Disney to discuss the potential development of a tourism hub in Abu Dhabi, with discussions intensifying after Disney executives visited the site in September 2023. D’Amaro noted that these meetings led to serious negotiations and the eventual deal. The specifics of Miral’s investment in the project have not been disclosed.
Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral Group, described the partnership as a “historic milestone” for the company, which is working to position Yas Island as a leading global entertainment destination.
