Disney is expanding its magical reach once again, this time to the Middle East. The company has announced a new theme park and resort set to open in Abu Dhabi by 2030, marking its seventh global resort and its first in the region. Strategically located on Yas Island, the project is poised to introduce a unique blend of indoor and outdoor attractions tailored to the UAE’s climate.
Yas Island, already home to indoor attractions like Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and the soon-to-be Harry Potter-themed land, offers an ideal foundation for Disney’s next move in its partnership with Miral, a state-backed leisure company that oversees the island’s major entertainment developments. Miral will be responsible for construction and daily operations, following a model similar to the relationship Disney maintains with Oriental Land Company at Tokyo Disney Resort.
“Abu Dhabi is a place where heritage meets innovation, where we preserve our past while designing the future,” His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, said in a press release. “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.”
“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,” said Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO, Miral. “Together, we are creating a place of boundless innovation, where the vision of our leadership continues to inspire the world.” The creation of unique experiences will help to sustain economic growth in Abu Dhabi and abroad.
This move aligns with Disney’s strategic ambitions to grow its global footprint in underrepresented markets. With one-third of the world’s population located within a four-hour flight from the UAE, the company stands to gain access to an enormous and diverse potential audience. Abu Dhabi and Dubai’s roles as international airline hubs (handling over 100 million travelers annually) further strengthen the case for a Disney park in the region.
No firm opening date has been confirmed, and Disney has yet to reveal what themed lands or specific attractions might be featured in the new park. However, with design underway and the groundwork being laid, the Abu Dhabi resort represents one of Disney’s most ambitious international expansions in recent memory. Once complete, it will join a global lineup that includes twelve theme parks across California, Florida, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace.
Si Jia
