Disney To Open New Theme Park And Resort In Abu Dhabi

The Walt Disney Company, the American entertainment giant, has announced a partnership with UAE developer Miral that will see a landmark Disney theme park resort being created in Abu Dhabi.

The new waterfront resort, which will be Disney’s seventh theme park resort globally, will be built on Yas Island, the UAE capital’s premier entertainment destination. While Disney will oversee creative design and operations to ensure a world-class experience, the resort will be developed, built, and operated by Miral.

In a statement, HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, said, “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,” he added. “Through the development of unique attractions and experiences, Abu Dhabi continues to be a destination of choice for the world.”

A scene from the ceremony announcing Disney Abu Dhabi. Image courtesy Disney.

Robert A. Iger, CEO, The Walt Disney Company, said, “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.”

“Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be 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,” Iger said.

Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Experiences, said, “This groundbreaking resort destination represents a new frontier in theme park development. Our resort in Abu Dhabi will be the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio. 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.”

Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO, Miral, added, “Bringing a Disney theme park resort to Yas Island marks a historic milestone in our journey to further advance the island’s position as a global destination for exceptional entertainment and leisure. Together, we are creating a place of boundless innovation, where the vision of our leadership continues to inspire the world.”

Pictured in the lead image is an artist concept of the new Disney park in Abu Dhabi. Image courtesy Disney.