Disney Unveils Seventh Theme Park in Abu Dhabi's Yas Island with Miral

Disney has exciting news for fans and travelers alike: the company has officially announced the opening of its seventh theme park and resort on the waterfront of Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. This ambitious project is being developed, built, and operated by Miral, Abu Dhabi's leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences. Miral is also behind other notable attractions on Yas Island, such as Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and SeaWorld Yas Island.

While Miral takes the lead on the development and operations, Disney's Imagineers will play a crucial role in the creative design and operational oversight, ensuring a world-class experience. Disney's CEO, Bob Iger, emphasized during the Q2 2025 Earnings Call that Disney will not invest any capital in the project but will receive royalties. "So, there isn't any ownership," Iger clarified. "We own our IP and license it to them is essentially the agreement."

This new theme park resort in Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati - combing Disney’s iconic stories, characters and attractions with Abu Dhabi’s vibrant culture, stunning shorelines, and breathtaking architecture. ✨ https://t.co/M1GHeYgr4H #YasIsland… pic.twitter.com/IyjODlj9ar

— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) May 7, 2025

In a statement, Iger expressed enthusiasm about the project: “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.”

Details about the new park are still emerging, but one highlight is Disney's first-ever modern castle, which appears as a stunning tower of glass or crystal in the concept art shared with the announcement. The tagline, "A whole new world awaits," suggests that elements from Aladdin might be featured in the park.

Disney has been discussing this project since 2017, with the plans solidifying last year, according to Iger in an interview with ABC News. Speaking to CNBC, Iger provided some insight into the project's timeline: “We’re not pinning down a date yet. It typically takes us between 18 months and two years to design and fully develop and approximately five years to build, but we’re not making any commitments right now.”

Iger also highlighted the strategic location of the park, noting that about a third of the world's population lives within a four-hour flight of the UAE, which is also home to the world's largest global airline hub, seeing 120 million passengers annually through Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This new park will strategically fill the gap in Disney's global presence in the Middle East region.

His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, shared his vision for the project: “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.”

Upon completion, Disney's portfolio will expand to include Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Shanghai Disney, and this new, currently unnamed park in Abu Dhabi.

Josh D'Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, added that this resort will be the "most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio." He elaborated, “This groundbreaking resort destination represents a new frontier in theme park development. 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.”

For more on the world of Disney, you can explore our coverage of a visit to Walt Disney Imagineering to learn about the first-ever Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic and everything you need to know about Disneyland's 70th anniversary and the Disney Destiny.