Disney to Launch First-Ever Middle East Theme Park Resort on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

In a landmark collaboration with Miral, The Walt Disney Company will bring its magic to the UAE, expanding Abu Dhabi’s global stature as a premier entertainment and cultural hub.

In a historic announcement that signals a new era for regional tourism and entertainment, The Walt Disney Company revealed plans to open its first-ever Disney Theme Park Resort in the Middle East on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island. The project, developed in partnership with UAE-based entertainment powerhouse Miral, will mark Disney’s seventh global theme park destination—joining iconic locations in California, Florida, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.

The announcement, made in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, positions Yas Island as a burgeoning global leisure destination and underscores the UAE’s broader strategy of economic diversification through cultural and creative industries.

“This is not just a project,” said Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral. “It’s a testament to what visionary leadership, bold ambition, enduring partnerships, and unwavering commitment can accomplish.” Al Zaabi noted the development as the beginning of a “transformative new chapter for tourism and entertainment across the region.”

Senior officials joining Sheikh Khaled at the unveiling included His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Miral; and Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport.

The resort will be developed and operated by Miral, with Disney spearheading creative direction and technological innovation. Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, described the project as “an extraordinary opportunity for Disney to bring its renowned storytelling to yet another region of the world.”

“Abu Dhabi’s position as an international crossroads, its embrace of global culture, and its ambitious vision for the future make it a perfect location for Disney to reach millions of new families,” Iger said.

Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, added that the new park will be home to “a modern castle unlike anything we’ve ever created,” and promises to “push the boundaries of theme park design.”

Miral Chairman Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak celebrated the partnership as a union of “visionary leadership and creative excellence,” describing the new resort as “a whole new world of imagination” poised to inspire generations of visitors.

The Disney resort will join Yas Island’s impressive roster of world-class attractions, including Warner Bros. World, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, and Etihad Arena. With this addition, Yas Island continues to strengthen its standing as one of the world’s most integrated and diverse leisure destinations.

No official opening date has been announced, but anticipation is already building across the region and beyond.