Disneyland Abu Dhabi
Some very exciting news today as Disney have announced their Seventh Disney Theme Park Destination will open in Abu Dhabi!
The agreement between Disney and The Miral Group to build this new park has been announced today and we will keep this blog post up to date as details develop!
It will be built on the waterfront at Yas Island which is already one of the largest tourism projects in Abu Dhabi and is home to many attractions such as Ferrari World Park, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World, SeaWorld and more!
This new theme park resort will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati - combining Disney’s iconic stories, characters and attractions with Abu Dhabi’s vibrant culture, stunning shorelines and breathtaking architecture.
Disney’s CEO Robert Iger has described the plans for the new park as a ‘thrilling’ moment for the company and Miral’s boss Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi said that bringing a Disney theme park resort to the area marks a ‘milestone in our journey to further advance the island’s position as a global destination for exceptional entertainment and leisure’.
The new resort will be fully developed and built by Miral. Disney Imagineers will lead the creative design and offer operational oversight. Miral (who have already developed a number of their existing sites on Yas Island in collaboration with American and European brands) will operate the resort.
Bob Iger offered additional insight into the decision during the company’s Q2 2025 earnings call. He emphasised that the choice to expand into the UAE was the result of a detailed evaluation of regional demand and long-term opportunity. This resort will bring Disney experiences closer to audiences across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. He referenced the fast sell-out of the upcoming Disney cruise ship based in Singapore as further proof of demand (here at Adventures x Paradise we are all so excited to be booked onto one of these cruises early next year).
Bob Iger has said that the relationship with Miral developed quickly with both companies sharing a focus on both legacy and forward-thinking innovation. We have heard great things about the parks and attractions currently operated by the Miral group and are really excited to see how plans develop here.
We will keep you up to date with news as it comes out whilst the park is in the development stages (and hopefully be booking a trip to report back once it is opened!)