Disney to open first Middle East theme park in Abu Dhabi in partnership with Miral Group

An undated artist's rendering shows a Disney theme park resort which the Walt Disney Company and Miral plan to construct in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Walt Disney Imagineering/Handout via REUTERS

ABU DHABI, May 9 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Walt Disney Co. has announced plans to open a new theme park in Abu Dhabi, its first in the Middle East and its first major park launch in nearly a decade. The project will be developed in partnership with UAE-based entertainment developer Miral Group.

The upcoming waterfront resort will be located on Yas Island, a major tourism hub already home to attractions such as Warner Bros. World, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, and Yas Waterworld. Miral will finance, build, and operate the Disney-branded resort, while Disney’s Imagineering team will oversee creative design and operational elements.

The U.S. entertainment company will earn royalties based on park revenue, according to a regulatory filing.

“This park will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati,” said Disney CEO Bob Iger. “It will be an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment at the crossroads of the world.”

Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro said Abu Dhabi was selected due to its strategic location and growing tourism sector. Yas Island recorded over 34 million visits in 2023, a 38% increase year-on-year, according to Miral.

The announcement aligns with Abu Dhabi’s broader tourism strategy, which includes more than $10 billion in infrastructure investments. Disney has not disclosed an opening date, but a project of this scale is expected to require one to two years of design and four to six years of construction.

The resort will include themed attractions, dining, and retail experiences blending Disney storytelling with Emirati cultural elements.

The project is part of Disney’s broader $60 billion investment into its Experiences division, which includes global theme parks, cruise lines, and family resorts. The Abu Dhabi park will be Disney’s first new park since Shanghai Disneyland opened in 2016.

Miral Group CEO Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi called the deal a “historic milestone” for the development of Yas Island as a global entertainment destination.