Disney to Open New Theme Park and Resort on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

The Walt Disney Company and Miral announce plans for a new Disney theme park and resort on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, marking their seventh Disney destination globally. Located on the waterfront, the development will fuse Disney’s beloved stories and characters with Abu Dhabi’s rich culture and striking architecture, aiming to attract visitors from across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe, and beyond.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Miral, highlighted Abu Dhabi’s blend of heritage and innovation, emphasising the project’s potential to inspire future generations with unique attractions and experiences.

He commented, “Abu Dhabi is a place where heritage meets innovation, where we preserve our past while designing the future. 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.”

Robert A Iger, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company, also added, "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. 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.”

The UAE’s strategic location, within a four-hour flight of much of the world’s population, underpins its importance as a global tourism gateway. With a major airline hub handling over 120 million passengers annually through Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the region continues to boost its international appeal.

Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, noted, “This groundbreaking resort destination represents a new frontier in theme park development. 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.”

Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO, Miral also commented, “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. 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."