In a move that marks a monumental expansion for the House of Mouse, Disney has announced it will open its very first theme park in the Middle East, setting its sights on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island as the magical new home. The park will be Disney’s seventh global resort and its first in the region, in collaboration with UAE-based entertainment powerhouse Miral—the same team behind SeaWorld and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi.
Set just 20 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi and less than an hour from Dubai, Disneyland Abu Dhabi promises to be a destination unlike any other, blending classic Disney storytelling with local Emirati culture. CEO Bob Iger called the project a “thrilling moment” for Disney and highlighted the park’s vision to be both “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati.”
Yas Island, already a fast-growing hub for family tourism, is about to get its biggest attraction yet. The strategic location places it within a four-hour flight for over a third of the world’s population, and with 120 million annual travelerspassing through nearby Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports, the new park is poised to become one of the most accessible Disney destinations ever built.
This isn’t just another addition to Disney’s theme park lineup—it’s a bold leap into a new market with massive global tourism potential. Miral CEO Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi called the project a “milestone moment” that will supercharge Yas Island’s status as a world-class leisure destination and contribute to long-term economic growth in the UAE and beyond.
Disney’s theme park legacy spans continents, beginning with Disneyland California in 1955, followed by Orlando, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. The Abu Dhabi resort will be the first in nearly a decade, and it’s launching at a time when Disney’s momentum is clearly on the rise.
The announcement comes as Disney reports strong Q1 results for 2025, with revenue climbing 7% to $23.6 billion and Disney+ adding 1.4 million new subscribers, defying expectations of a decline. Attendance at U.S. parks is up, cruise bookings are booming, and Disney is proving it can weather economic headwinds with confidence.
With magic in the air and demand on the rise, Disneyland Abu Dhabi is shaping up to be the crown jewel in Disney’s global theme park portfolio—one that could redefine tourism in the Middle East and bring the Disney dream to millions more fans.
