Walt Disney Company and Miral Announce Ambitious Plan to Establish a Landmark Disney Theme Park in Abu Dhabi
By Brandon Lewis | May 7, 2025
In an unprecedented union of imaginative storytelling and cultural grandeur, The Walt Disney Company has announced, in collaboration with Miral — Abu Dhabi’s premier developer of immersive destinations — its intent to bring forth a seventh global Disney theme park resort, this time set along the resplendent waterfront of Yas Island, United Arab Emirates.
This endeavor, a fusion of innovation and tradition, promises to be nothing less than a beacon of transnational creativity. With its strategic location at the heart of a vast travel corridor — within four hours of one-third of the world’s population — the resort is poised to become a nexus of cultural exchange, family entertainment, and architectural magnificence.
“Abu Dhabi is a place where heritage meets innovation, where we preserve our past while designing the future,” remarked His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Miral. He characterized the partnership as a manifestation of “visionary leadership and creative excellence,” positioning the resort as a generational touchstone of inspiration for audiences across the Middle East and far beyond.
The new resort, which will be constructed and operated by Miral, will benefit from the creative direction and operational stewardship of Disney’s esteemed Imagineers. The design, purpose-built to blend the distinct aesthetic of Emirati cultural identity with Disney’s storied legacy, seeks to redefine what a theme park can be — an oasis where storytelling transcends boundaries of language and geography.
Robert A. Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, hailed the announcement as a milestone moment for the organization:
“As our seventh theme park destination, it will rise from this land in spectacular fashion, blending contemporary architecture with cutting j edge technology to offer guests deeply immersive entertainment experiences in unique and modern ways. Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati.”
Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the waterfront setting as an unprecedented canvas for narrative innovation:
“Our resort in Abu Dhabi will be the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio. This project will reach guests in a whole new part of the world, welcoming more families to experience Disney than ever before.”
Beyond entertainment, the initiative underscores broader aspirations: to stimulate long-term economic growth, deepen cultural engagement, and solidify Yas Island’s stature as a premier international leisure destination. With attractions poised to include themed accommodations, unique dining and retail offerings, and groundbreaking storytelling, the resort promises a synthesis of classic Disney charm and the pioneering spirit of the UAE.
In the words of Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral:
“We are creating a place of boundless innovation, where the vision of our leadership continues to inspire the world.”
This landmark project not only signals Disney’s expanding global footprint, but also offers a testament to the power of collaboration between East and West — a living tableau where heritage, technology, and the imagination of tomorrow converge.
