This photo, taken from the Disney Press Center, illustrates the Disney-only artist concept.
Disney is bringing that magic to the Middle East and is announcing plans to open its first theme park in an area on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The actual cost of development has not been revealed, but it estimates it hovering around $7 billion.
Walt Disney Company A statement has been issued On Wednesday, it signed a deal with an immersive destination, experienced Miral and marked the theme park giant’s seventh resort globally.
“We’re looking forward to seeing you in the world,” said Robert A. Iger, CEO of Walt Disney Company.
“As our seventh theme park destination, it rises from the land in a spectacular way, blending modern architecture with cutting-edge technology to provide guests with a deep, immersive entertainment experience in a unique and modern way,” he added.
Disney spends over $60 billion over 10 years
The development in Abu Dhabi is not part of the $60 billion CNBC that Disney has committed to investing in theme parks over the next decade. It has been reported. However, based on other parks such as Shangai Disney, which has over $5 billion, experts believe the new park in Abu Dhabi will cost around $7 billion.
The new park aims to blend Disney’s distinctive charm with Emirati culture, offering visitors a unique experience. Located within four hours of one third of the world’s population, Abu Dhabi serves as a strategic hub for tourism. Iger refused to tell CNBC that Imagineer had already begun designing the park, but Disney hopes it opens.
18 months to design, 5 years to construction
“We haven’t fixed the date yet,” he said. “It usually takes 18 months to two years to design and fully develop, and about five years to build, but we are not committed at this point.”
Miral CEO Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi highlighted the role of the project to advance the status of YAS Island as a global entertainment destination.
Yas Island is a hub for entertainment and retail experiences. Already home to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Water World, Sea World Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi and Formula 1 Yas Marina Circuit. The region also hosts Abu Dhabi’s largest mall and award-winning golf courses.
First quarter revenues were nearly $24 billion
The announcement coincides with Disney’s strong financial performance in early 2025, reporting a 7% increase in revenue to $23.6 billion, with Disney+ subscribers rising.
Disney’s existing parks are located in California, Florida, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong and Shanghai, and will collectively welcome over 142 million visitors in 2023. The new Abu Dhabi Park is expected to further increase these numbers.
Although the exact number of investments has not been disclosed, Abu Dhabi has committed over $10 billion to tourism infrastructure by 2030, and Disney projects are a key factor.
The park features themed accommodation, unique dining and retail experiences, and new attractions, leveraging Abu Dhabi’s strategic location and status as a major international travel hub.
Disney estimates that around 33% of the world’s population lives within four hours of the United Arab Emirates, and that the region has an addressable tourist market with around 500 million visitors.
As Disney continues to expand its global footprint, Abu Dhabi Park represents a strategic move to enter the Middle Eastern market, offering a blend of familiar magic and local flavours.
