This Photo taken from the Disney press centre is as they explain Artist Concept Only of Disney
Disney is bringing its magic to the Middle East, announcing plans to open its first theme park in the region on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island. While the actual cost of the development has not been revealed, estimates hover around $7 billion.
The Walt Disney Co. released a statement Wednesday that it signed an agreement with immersive destination and experiences company Miral, marking the theme park giant’s seventh resort globally.
“This is a thrilling moment for our company as we announce plans to build an exciting Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, whose culture is rich with an appreciation of the arts and creativity,” said Robert A. Iger, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company.
“As our seventh theme park destination, it will rise from this land in spectacular fashion, blending contemporary architecture with cutting-edge technology to offer guests deeply immersive entertainment experiences in unique and modern ways,” he added.
Disney to spend over $60 billion in 10 years
The development in Abu Dhabi is not part of the $60 billion that Disney has pledged to invest in its theme parks over the next decade, CNBC reported. However, based on other parks, such as the Shangai Disney that cost over $5 billion, experts believe this new one in Abu Dhabi will cost about $7 billion.
The new park aims to blend Disney’s signature charm with Emirati culture, offering a unique experience for visitors. Located within a four-hour flight of one-third of the world’s population, Abu Dhabi serves as a strategic hub for tourism. Iger told CNBC that the Imagineers had already begun designing the park, but declined to say when Disney expects it to open.
18 months to design, five years to build
“We’re not pinning down a date yet,” he said. “It typically takes us between 18 months and two years to design and fully develop, and approximately five years to build, but we’re not making any commitments right now.”
Miral’s CEO, Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, highlighted the project’s role in advancing Yas Island’s status as a global entertainment destination.
Yas Island is a hub of entertainment and retail experiences. It is already home to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi as well as the Formula 1 Yas Marina Circuit. The area also hosts Abu Dhabi’s largest mall and an award-winning golf course.
A Q1 revenue of nearly $24 billion
The announcement coincides with Disney’s strong financial performance in early 2025, reporting a 7 per cent revenue increase to $23.6 billion and a rise in Disney+ subscribers.
Disney’s existing parks are located in California, Florida, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, collectively welcoming over 142 million visitors in 2023. The new Abu Dhabi park is expected to further boost these numbers.
While the exact investment figure hasn’t been disclosed, Abu Dhabi has committed over $10 billion towards tourism infrastructure by 2030, with the Disney project being a significant component.
The park will feature themed accommodations, unique dining and retail experiences, and new attractions, leveraging Abu Dhabi’s strategic location and status as a major international travel hub.
Disney estimated that approximately 33 per cent of the world’s population lives within a four-hour flight of the UAE and that the region has an addressable tourism market of around 500 million visitors.
As Disney continues to expand its global footprint, the Abu Dhabi park represents a strategic move to tap into the Middle Eastern market, offering a blend of familiar magic and local flavour.
