Disney has exciting news for fans and travelers alike: the company has announced plans to open its seventh theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi, located on the picturesque waterfront of Yas Island. This ambitious project will be developed, built, and operated by Miral, Abu Dhabi's leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences. Miral is already renowned for attractions such as Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and SeaWorld Yas Island.

Despite Miral's operational role, Disney's Imagineers will play a pivotal part in the creative design and operational oversight, ensuring that the new park delivers a world-class experience. Disney CEO Bob Iger emphasized during the Q2 2025 Earnings Call that Disney will not invest any capital in the project but will instead earn 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

Iger also expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “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."

Dubbed "Disneyland Abu Dhabi," the park aims to be authentically Disney while also reflecting the Emirati culture. Iger described it as "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."

While specific details remain limited, it's confirmed that the park will feature Disney's first-ever modern castle, depicted in concept art as a stunning glass or crystal tower. The tagline, 'A whole new world awaits,' suggests that Aladdin will play a role in the park's theme. Discussions about this project have been ongoing since 2017, with Iger noting in an ABC News interview that it was "crystalized" last year.

Regarding the timeline, Iger told CNBC, "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." He highlighted the strategic location of Abu Dhabi, pointing out that one-third of the world's population lives within a four-hour flight from the UAE, which is also home to the world's largest global airline hub, seeing 120 million passengers annually.

His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, emphasized the 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. 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, Disneyland Abu Dhabi will join the ranks of other Disney parks: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Shanghai Disney, and this new addition in Abu Dhabi.

Josh D'Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, praised the project, stating, “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 insights into the world of Disney, explore our exclusive experience at Walt Disney Imagineering, where we learned about the first-ever Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic, and get all the details on Disneyland's 70th anniversary and the Disney Destiny.