Disney unveils a fresh theme park venture: Disneyland Abu Dhabi
Disney has announced plans to build its seventh global theme park, set to be located on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The new park, a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and Miral, a leading UAE-based immersive destination developer, is expected to become a world-class, technologically advanced, and culturally rich destination, elevating Abu Dhabi as a major global travel and entertainment hub.
The park, still in the early stages of development, will be a hybrid indoor/outdoor resort with a focus on immersive storytelling, advanced technology, and a unique blend of Disney heritage and Emirati cultural elements. The specifics about attractions or the look of the park are not yet known, but it is anticipated that it will offer deeply immersive entertainment experiences in unique and modern ways.
One of the key planned features of the park is a spiral-shaped castle, serving as the park's centerpiece and an iconic visual landmark. Other features may include themed accommodations, diverse dining and retail experiences, and a design that combines futuristic innovation with cultural authenticity. The park is also expected to incorporate a significant portion of indoor attractions to suit the regional climate, alongside outdoor experiences, creating a hybrid park environment.
Disney Imagineers will lead the creative design of the park, with assistance from Disney Imagineering for the construction process. The collaboration between Disney and Miral promises to deliver a one-of-a-kind Disney experience that is "authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati."
Footage from rides or lands from other Disney parks, such as the Zootopia one in Shanghai, may serve as inspiration for the new park's attractions. Potential attractions include rides themed around Tron, Moana, Lilo & Stitch, and Cars, as well as one similar to Avatar: Flight of Passage themed around The Lion King. There may also be beachfront property and speeding car rides available.
The new theme park's construction is likely to take place in the 2030s, with an exact completion date yet to be announced. Upon completion, the park is expected to become a source of joy and inspiration for the people of the vast region for generations to come, further cementing Abu Dhabi's position as a major tourist destination.
[1] Disney Parks Blog. (2025, May). Disney announces plans for a new theme park in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. [online] Available at: https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2025/05/disney-announces-plans-for-a-new-theme-park-in-abu-dhabi-united-arab-emirates/
[2] The Hollywood Reporter. (2025, May). Disney to build new theme park in Abu Dhabi. [online] Available at: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disney-to-build-new-theme-park-in-abu-dhabi-1235084790/
[3] ABC News. (2025, May). Disney to build first theme park in Middle East. [online] Available at: https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/disney-build-first-theme-park-middle-east-66569189
[4] CNN. (2025, May). Disney to build theme park in Abu Dhabi. [online] Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/disney-abu-dhabi-theme-park/index.html
[5] The New York Times. (2025, May). Disney to build theme park in Abu Dhabi. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/10/arts/disney-abu-dhabi-theme-park.html
- Gizmodo reported on the announcement of Disney's upcoming theme park in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, stating that the park will be a technologically advanced and culturally rich destination, also mentioning the future hybrid indoor/outdoor resort will offer unique and modern entertainment experiences.
- Io9 highlighted the spiral-shaped castle, planned as the park's centerpiece and iconic visual landmark, along with the blending of Disney heritage and Emirati cultural elements, as key features of the new park.
- Lifestyle and travel enthusiasts will find the new theme park appealing, as it is expected to become a major global travel and entertainment hub upon completion, showcasing futuristic innovation and cultural authenticity, which will draw visitors from around the world, including for entertainment offerings like themed lands based on Tron, Moana, Lilo & Stitch, and Cars, and even beachfront property.
