Disney Unveils Plans for Seventh Theme Park in Abu Dhabi on Yas Island with Miral

Disney has announced the exciting development of its seventh theme park and resort, set to be located on the waterfront of Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. This ambitious project will be brought to life in collaboration with Miral, Abu Dhabi's leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences. Miral, known for attractions like Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and SeaWorld Yas Island, will fully develop, build, and operate the new park.

Despite Miral's operational role, Disney and its Imagineers will maintain significant involvement, leading the creative design and operational oversight to ensure a world-class experience. Disney's CEO, Bob Iger, emphasized during the Q2 2025 Earnings Call that Disney will not invest 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, highlighting the blend of contemporary architecture and cutting-edge technology that will define the park. "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," he said. "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."

Iger further described the park as "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."

Although specific details about the park are limited, it was confirmed that it will feature Disney's first-ever modern castle, depicted in concept art as a stunning glass or crystal tower. The park's tagline, "A whole new world awaits," suggests a thematic connection to Aladdin.

Disney has been actively discussing this project since 2017, with Iger noting in an interview with ABC News that the plans were "crystalized" last year. In a conversation with CNBC, Iger mentioned the project's timeline, stating, "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 approximately one-third of the world's population lives within a four-hour flight of the UAE. The region is also home to the world's largest airline hub, with 120 million passengers traveling through Abu Dhabi and Dubai annually. This new park will strategically fill a gap in Disney's global presence in the Middle East.

His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, emphasized the cultural significance of the project, saying, "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."

He added, "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 will boast an impressive lineup of theme parks, including Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Shanghai Disney, and the new park in Abu Dhabi.

Josh D'Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, described the new resort as "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 Disney's innovative projects, explore our coverage of our 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.