May
Disney Announces Surprise New Theme Park: Disneyland Abu Dhabi
In a bold expansion move, Disney has revealed plans for Disneyland Abu Dhabi, marking the company’s first-ever theme park resort in the Middle East. Set to open in the UAE capital, the project will become Disney’s seventh global theme park destination.
Announced on Wednesday, the new park promises to be one of Disney’s most technologically advanced resorts to date. While Disney has yet to release detailed information about specific attractions, early concept art reveals a reimagined centerpiece—a crystal-like structure replacing the traditional castle found in its other parks across the U.S., Europe, and Asia.
Disney CEO Bob Iger described the project as a unique fusion of Emirati culture and Disney magic, calling it “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati.” He emphasized the park’s role as “an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment” designed to bring beloved characters and stories to life in innovative new ways for the region.
Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, echoed that sentiment, calling Disneyland Abu Dhabi the company’s “most advanced and interactive destination” to date.
The upcoming resort will feature a wide range of offerings, including themed attractions, immersive accommodations, exclusive dining and retail experiences, and storytelling that reflects both Disney’s legacy and Abu Dhabi’s forward-thinking cultural identity.
The project is being developed in partnership with Miral Group, the local firm behind SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. Miral will fund the park, while Disney Imagineers will lead creative development—similar to Disney’s long-standing arrangement with Oriental Land Company at Tokyo Disneyland.
“Abu Dhabi is a place where heritage meets innovation,” said Miral chairman Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, adding that the new park will offer “a whole new world of imagination” and serve as a lasting source of inspiration and joy for families across the region.
Although Disney is not investing capital in the project, the announcement aligns with the company’s previously stated goal of spending $60 billion on international parks expansion over the next decade. D’Amaro hinted at this broader strategy during the 2023 launch of the Frozen–themed area at Hong Kong Disneyland.
The new park will be built on Yas Island, a major entertainment hub already home to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World, and Ferrari World. The neighboring city of Dubai also hosts a growing portfolio of theme parks, including Legoland, IMG Worlds of Adventure, and MotionGate Dubai.
Meanwhile, Disney continues to develop new additions to its U.S. parks, including a Monsters, Inc. land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, an expanded Avengers Campus at Disneyland Resort, and a long-anticipated Villains Land for Magic Kingdom in Florida.
No official opening date for Disneyland Abu Dhabi has been announced yet.
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