Disney To Open First-Ever Middle East Theme Park On Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Disney To Open First-Ever Middle East Theme Park On Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, May 8, 2025
The Walt Disney Company has officially announced plans to establish its first theme park in the Middle East—Disneyland Abu Dhabi—which will be developed on the iconic Yas Island in the United Arab Emirates. The project, a collaboration with local developer Miral, marks a significant expansion of Disney’s global footprint and reflects Abu Dhabi’s growing prominence in the worlds of entertainment and tourism.
Disneyland Abu Dhabi will become the seventh Disney resort worldwide, joining existing locations in California, Florida, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. The waterfront destination will merge Disney’s signature storytelling and attractions with the cultural richness and architectural beauty of the UAE capital.
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Describing the upcoming resort as “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati,” Disney CEO Robert Iger said the park aims to serve visitors from across the Middle East, Africa, India, Asia, and Europe. “It will be an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment at this crossroads of the world,” he added.
The decision to establish a Disney park in Abu Dhabi comes as part of the company’s effort to reach millions of families for whom travel to existing parks has been cost-prohibitive or geographically challenging. Iger also acknowledged Abu Dhabi’s success with other major attractions, such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the under-construction Guggenheim Museum designed by Frank Gehry.
“This seventh Disney theme park resort will rise from the shores of this land in spectacular fashion, blending wonderful Disney stories and characters with the cultures and tastes of this country and this region,” he said. “It will combine contemporary architecture and cutting-edge technology with the timeless magic of Disney to offer guests deeply immersive experiences in unique and modern ways.”
The park will be fully funded, constructed, and operated by the Miral Group, which already runs a range of top-tier leisure destinations on Yas Island, including Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. Disney, however, will maintain creative and brand oversight throughout the development process.
Speaking to a publication, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro described the upcoming destination as Disney’s “most modern and tech-forward resort” to date, with cutting-edge design and immersive attractions.
The announcement coincides with a strong earnings report from Disney. The company posted a 7% rise in quarterly revenue, reaching $23.6 billion between January and March 2025. Its Disney+ streaming platform also surpassed expectations, growing its subscriber base to 126 million with an increase of 1.4 million new users. Revenue from Disney’s Experiences division, which includes its theme parks, climbed to $8.9 billion during the same period.
Disneyland Abu Dhabi is expected to further enhance Yas Island’s status as a global entertainment hub and bolster tourism in the region.
