Disney to Build First Middle East Theme Park in Abu Dhabi

Walt Disney Co. has announced plans to open its first theme park in the Middle East, marking a major expansion of its global footprint with a new resort in the United Arab Emirates capital of Abu Dhabi, Bloomberg reports.

The new project, Disneyland Abu Dhabi, will be the company’s 13th theme park and will be built on Yas Island, a tourism hub that already houses attractions like Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. The park will be designed by Disney’s “Imagineers” and owned and operated by the UAE’s Miral Group, officials said Wednesday.

The announcement represents Disney’s first all-new park since the Shanghai Disney Resort opened in 2016, and comes amid a broader push to double investment in Disney’s theme parks, cruise lines, and other “experiences” to $60 billion over the next decade.

“This project is incredibly ambitious, and the land we’re building on will be large enough to showcase all of our franchises,” said Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences. “The Middle East is a part of the world we feel we have huge opportunity in.”

Design work is expected to take around two years, followed by five to six years of construction. While Disney has not yet revealed specific attractions or the cost of the project, D’Amaro said it will be the company’s most technologically advanced resort to date. The venture gives Disney access to one of the world’s largest airline hubs without requiring its own capital investment — Miral will fully fund the park.

The resort is set to blend local Emirati architecture with classic Disney design, a concept described by Disney CEO Bob Iger as “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati.” Early renderings show modern structures reflecting the Abu Dhabi skyline and a central castle — a signature of every Disney theme park.

Disney and Miral have been in talks for about 18 months. D’Amaro said Miral executives even visited Disney’s Burbank headquarters to review proposals.

The Abu Dhabi location will be Disney’s seventh global resort destination, joining others in California, Florida, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. The park will sit on Yas Island, a 10-square-mile man-made district packed with entertainment, shopping, and luxury resorts just 30 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi.

The announcement comes as Disney reported stronger-than-expected fiscal second-quarter earnings earlier in the day, driven by performance at its domestic theme parks, streaming services, and film studios. The company’s revenue rose 7% to $23.6 billion, with adjusted earnings per share up 20% to $1.45, exceeding analyst estimates.