Disney Unveils Plans for New Theme Park in Abu Dhabi, Expanding Into the Middle East

For the first time in 15 years, Disney is embarking on an exciting venture by creating a brand-new theme park in Abu Dhabi, marking its grand entry into the Middle East.

Announced on Wednesday, Disneyland Abu Dhabi will join Disney’s prestigious lineup of global resort destinations as its seventh. This announcement came soon after Disney reported promising second-quarter earnings.

Disney’s parks have been crucial to its financial success, contributing 59% of its operating income in 2024 amidst rising streaming competition. Despite a slight dip in domestic visitor numbers last year, Disney noted a resurgence in U.S. park attendance and revenue in the most recent quarter. Internationally, the company sees great potential, although tensions with China have negatively impacted visits and sales at its parks in Shanghai and Hong Kong.

The Abu Dhabi resort will be fully developed and operated by the local company Miral, with creative input and oversight from Disney Imagineers. Projected to open in the early 2030s, this venture will feature one theme park and several hotels, although the exact number remains unspecified.

“Any time we launch a new experience or theme park, it’s vital to create something unique for each location, rather than just duplicating existing parks,” explained Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, in an interview with CNN’s Becky Anderson.

For Abu Dhabi, Disney plans to capture the local essence in every detail, including its design and cuisine.

A Whole New World

The airports in Abu Dhabi and Dubai aim to become global leaders, connecting a third of the world’s population within a quick four-hour flight. This strategic location means easier access for the 1.4 billion residents of India compared to Disney parks in Shanghai or Hong Kong.

D’Amaro highlighted that approximately 500 million people in the region could feasibly visit the park. This convenience and the city’s forward-thinking development played significant roles in Disney’s decision.

“There was no question for our seventh resort, Abu Dhabi was the perfect choice,” D’Amaro stated.

The resort will be situated on Yas Island, a popular entertainment hub developed by Miral, featuring attractions like SeaWorld, Yas Waterworld, and Warner Bros. World—all designed under a license with Warner Brothers Discovery.

Only 20 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi and a short drive from Dubai, Yas Island boasts several theme parks, a golf course, a marina, a shopping mall, and 165 dining options.

Tom Bricker, co-founder of DisneyTouristBlog.com, suggested this park could become Yas Island’s star attraction, drawing in visitors just as Shanghai Disneyland redefined the theme park experience abroad.

Like a Living “Tomorrowland”

The Abu Dhabi venture promises to be Disney’s most technologically advanced park, blending with the city’s futuristic vibe. While every Disney resort is anchored with a castle, this park’s centerpiece will be a distinctive crystal-like tower, rather than the traditional fairytale structures.

Uniquely, this will be the first Disney resort to be directly connected to a waterfront, unlike the Tokyo Disney Resort, where the ocean is visible but not a part of the park itself.

Disney is poised to leverage its immersive gaming investments, potentially using tools like the Unreal Engine, which is utilized in many Disney films, to enhance theme park attractions.

“This lets us seamlessly bring stories from film and gaming right into the park, enhancing guest enjoyment. This tech-forward approach offers an immense opportunity,” said D’Amaro.

Park Wars

Disney’s announcement comes on the heels of Universal’s plans to open its seventh resort in the UK and ahead of the launch of Epic Universe in Florida.

Despite the increased competition, Disney is confident, viewing new regional attractions as a way to attract even more tourists to its flagship parks, as confirmed by D’Amaro on CNBC.

Discussions around Disneyland Abu Dhabi have been ongoing for nearly a decade, according to D’Amaro. In 2023, Disney parks drew over 140 million visitors worldwide, leading the industry.

While domestic attendance saw a decline, this year’s strategic international expansion underscores Disney’s intent to balance influences from the global economy on park performance.

“Even with economic uncertainties, people prioritize a Disney experience,” affirmed Disney CEO Bob Iger.

Inquiries about potentially adding a fifth park in Florida were deflected, with current focus on expanding the existing ones.

Strong Earnings

Disney’s parks and its streaming services, including Disney+ and Hulu, pushed the company’s revenue to $23.6 billion—a 7% year-over-year increase—with a notable 15% rise in operating income to $4.4 billion.