The Walt Disney Company has announced plans to open its seventh global theme park resort, this time in Abu Dhabi, in what it describes as its most technologically advanced park to date. The new development, to be built in collaboration with Miral, a leading Abu Dhabi-based creator of immersive destinations, marks Disney’s first foray into the United Arab Emirates.
Set to rise along the waterfront of Yas Island—an entertainment hub connecting travelers from the Middle East, Africa, India, Asia, and Europe—the resort will merge Disney’s globally recognized storytelling and characters with the cultural and architectural heritage of Abu Dhabi. The project will include themed accommodations, unique dining and retail offerings, and state-of-the-art entertainment experiences.
“This is a thrilling moment for our company,” said Disney CEO Bob Iger in a statement. “Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati—an oasis of extraordinary entertainment that blends contemporary architecture with cutting-edge technology to offer deeply immersive experiences.”
Unlike Disney’s six other resorts—located in California, Florida, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, and Shanghai—the Abu Dhabi park will not be owned by Disney. Instead, it will operate under a licensing agreement with Miral. According to Iger, the capital investment will come entirely from Miral, with Disney receiving royalties for its intellectual property. “We own our IP and license it to them. That is essentially the arrangement,” Iger explained.
Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro highlighted the project as a pivotal step in the evolution of theme park design. “Our resort in Abu Dhabi will be the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio. The location—anchored by a beautiful waterfront—will allow us to tell our stories in completely new ways,” he said.
Miral Chairman Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak emphasized the strategic cultural alignment behind the project. “Abu Dhabi is a place where heritage meets innovation. What we are creating with Disney is a whole new world of imagination that will inspire generations across the region and the world,” Al Mubarak said.
The announcement was made as part of Disney’s latest quarterly earnings call. Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston noted that while international park attendance has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, strong domestic performance has compensated for the shortfall.
Disney will lead the design and development of the Abu Dhabi park and maintain a significant operational oversight role to ensure consistency with Disney’s global standards. “We will have employees embedded with Miral to help operate the park at the quality level that everybody’s used to,” Iger stated.
No opening date has been provided. Disney said more details will be shared as the project progresses.
The new resort underscores Disney’s strategic push to extend its brand into new markets while leveraging local partnerships to manage capital costs and regional operations.
