The Walt Disney Company is bringing a touch of magic to the Middle East—and it’s heading straight for Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
In a groundbreaking partnership with Miral, Abu Dhabi’s premier creator of immersive destinations and experiences, Disney is launching its seventh global theme park resort, and for the first time, the iconic brand is setting up shop in the Arab world.
This historic venture marks Disney’s first theme park resort in the Middle East and is being hailed as a major milestone not just for the region but for the entire global Disney fanbase. With existing resorts in California, Florida, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, Disneyland Abu Dhabi is poised to become a central entertainment hub for millions of visitors from nearby regions, including the Middle East, Africa, India, Asia, and Europe.
The waterfront resort will rise on Yas Island, a 25-square-kilometre leisure paradise that already boasts world-class attractions such as Ferrari World, SeaWorld Yas Island, Warner Bros. World, and Yas Waterworld. Located just 20 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi and around 50 minutes from Dubai, Yas Island is easily accessible via two of the world’s busiest international airports, making it an ideal base for a Disney park.
In 2024 alone, Yas Island saw 38 million visits, with tourists primarily coming from India, China, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait—a demographic Disney is keen to further tap into.
Disney Meets Emirati Culture
Unlike any other Disney destination, Disneyland Abu Dhabi promises to be “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati.” According to Disney CEO Bob Iger, the park will combine beloved Disney storytelling with local UAE culture and futuristic design, blending fantasy with heritage.
Expect Disney characters and attractions you know and love—but also regional storytelling elements, Emirati-inspired architecture, and design details that honour Abu Dhabi’s identity.
A Futuristic Disney Experience
Forget Cinderella’s Castle—this park’s centrepiece is a spiralling, crystal-like tower that looks like it was plucked straight from a sci-fi Disney film. It’s a bold architectural statement that aligns with Abu Dhabi’s forward-thinking urban landscape.
Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, revealed that the project will “push the boundaries of theme park design,” featuring cutting-edge technology and visionary architecture.
This will be the most technologically advanced Disney park yet with immersive experiences, smart park systems, and next-gen attractions.
When Will It Open?
Don’t plan your Disney fits yet! The park is still in the early design stages, and final development agreements are still being ironed out. However, insiders suggest an opening window between 2030 and 2032—Disney’s first new park in over 15 years, following the debut of Shanghai Disneyland in 2010.
This story first appeared on GRAZIA Middle East, Author: Noor Latif.
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