The Walt Disney Company has announced plans to launch its seventh global theme park on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, marking a strategic shift in the entertainment giant’s traditional operational model. The new park will be developed in collaboration with Miral, the United Arab Emirates’ premier developer of immersive destinations.
Unlike previous Disney parks, the Abu Dhabi attraction will not be owned or operated by Disney. Instead, Miral will fully fund, develop, and operate the theme park under a licensing agreement that allows the use of Disney’s characters and intellectual property. In return, Disney will receive royalties based on ticket sales and merchandise revenue.
Disney will maintain a level of operational oversight, and the park’s design will be spearheaded by Disney’s Imagineers—creative professionals known for blending engineering with storytelling. However, the day-to-day management will be handled entirely by Miral.
This marks the first time Disney will venture into an indoor theme park format. Consistent with Miral’s portfolio on Yas Island—which includes Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World, and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi—the Disney attraction will also be housed indoors. The move reflects a practical adaptation to the region’s climate and continues Miral’s strategy of offering weather-resistant entertainment experiences.
“This next experience will be better than the previous one,” said Miral CEO Mohamed Al Zaabi in an interview with Forbes. “That’s what we do always at Miral. We keep pushing the bar.”
Speaking on DubaiEye radio, Al Zaabi emphasized the goal of delivering seamless and memorable guest experiences. “We really want them to enjoy their time and have the best experience here in Abu Dhabi. And it has to be as convenient as we can. As you know, we have done all our theme parks indoor,” he said, reaffirming that the Disney attraction will follow the same model.
Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, told CNBC the development will feature an ambitious blend of indoor and outdoor architecture. “One of the great things about the piece of land that we’ll be building on is it’s right up against the water, and so we’ll be pulling water into this resort,” D’Amaro noted.
Set against the backdrop of Yas Island’s extensive entertainment infrastructure—which includes a beach, a Formula One racing circuit, a golf course on the PGA European Tour, luxury hotels, a mega mall with over 370 retail outlets, and a vibrant residential and business community—the new Disney park is poised to significantly boost the island’s appeal as a global tourism hub.
Disney described the project as an experience that “will combine Disney’s iconic stories, characters and attractions with Abu Dhabi’s vibrant culture, stunning shorelines, and breathtaking architecture.”
The indoor theme park is currently expected to open in 2032 or 2033.
