Disney, Miral Unveil 7th Theme Park in Abu Dhabi

Disney has officially unveiled plans to launch its seventh theme park resort on Yas Island's waterfront in Abu Dhabi, developed in partnership with Miral.

According to Disney Parks Blog, Abu Dhabi's premier experience creator Miral will handle full development, construction, and operations for this new destination. The company behind Yas Island attractions like Ferrari World and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi will collaborate with Disney Imagineers, who retain creative design leadership and operational oversight.

Disney CEO Bob Iger confirmed during the Q2 2025 earnings call that while the company isn't providing capital investment, it will receive licensing royalties. "We maintain IP ownership while licensing it to our partners," Iger clarified regarding the business arrangement.

The Abu Dhabi resort will blend Disney magic with Emirati heritage - merging beloved stories and characters with the region's rich culture, coastal beauty, and architectural wonders. ✨ https://t.co/M1GHeYgr4H #YasIsland… pic.twitter.com/IyjODlj9ar

— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) May 7, 2025

Iger described the project as "a landmark moment," noting Abu Dhabi's artistic legacy makes it an ideal location for Disney's seventh global destination. "This spectacular resort will fuse innovative design with next-generation technology to deliver groundbreaking entertainment experiences," he added.

The CEO emphasized that Disneyland Abu Dhabi will honor both Disney traditions and local culture, creating "an entertainment oasis that will delight regional audiences for generations through fresh interpretations of our timeless stories."

Though details remain limited, concept art reveals the park's centerpiece will feature Disney's first contemporary castle - a crystalline structure evoking modern Arabian architecture. The tagline "A whole new world awaits" strongly suggests Aladdin-themed attractions.

After preliminary discussions dating back to 2017, Iger told ABC News the project finalized its vision last year. While avoiding specific timelines, he noted typical development requires 18-24 months of design followed by five years of construction.

The strategic location serves approximately one-third of the global population within four flight hours, leveraging Abu Dhabi's status as home to the world's busiest airline hub handling 120 million annual passengers. This fills Disney's Middle East portfolio gap.

Miral Chairman Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak praised the collaboration: "Abu Dhabi uniquely bridges heritage and innovation. Partnering with Disney achieves what happens when visionary leadership meets creative excellence."

He described the project as "a new world of imagination that will inspire global audiences through unforgettable family experiences, further establishing Abu Dhabi as a premier destination."

Upon completion, the Abu Dhabi resort will join Disney's six existing properties across California, Florida, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.

Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro promised this would become "our most technologically advanced destination," leveraging its waterfront setting to pioneer new storytelling approaches. "This represents theme park innovation at its finest," he stated.

For additional Disney updates, explore our exclusive tour of Walt Disney Imagineering's first Audio-Animatronic creation and comprehensive guides to Disneyland's 70th anniversary celebrations plus the Disney Destiny cruise liner.