The park will be owned and operated by Miral, with Disney Imagineers designing the IP-laden resort. Disney Experiences chairman Josh D’Amaro breaks down the deal with THR.
The Walt Disney Company has announced plans to open a new Disney theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi, marking its first destination in the Middle East and the company’s seventh global resort. Disney CEO Bob Iger described the project as “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati,” highlighting the blend of global storytelling and local culture.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro shared that the Abu Dhabi park will be the company’s most modern and technologically advanced to date. A concept rendering showcases a striking crystal-like castle, hinting at the park’s futuristic design.
“Anytime we have the opportunity to build from the ground up—especially with today’s rapid technological advancements—we seize it,” D’Amaro said. “This allows us to tell stories in more immersive, flexible, and dynamic ways, in ways Walt probably only dreamed of back in 1955.”
As the company’s newest resort, D’Amaro emphasized its cutting-edge approach: “Our Imagineers are incredibly excited. Whether it’s Mickey Mouse or Marvel, we’re creating opportunities to draw fans into our stories like never before.”
Details regarding the park’s opening date and featured franchises will be announced at a later time.
Disney is embarking on a groundbreaking expansion with the announcement of a new theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi—the company’s first in the Middle East and its seventh global destination. Developed in partnership with Miral, the Abu Dhabi-based entertainment and destination holding company, the project represents a new kind of business model for Disney.
Unlike most of its other international parks, the Abu Dhabi destination will be fully funded, developed, and operated by Miral. Disney will lead the creative design through its Imagineering team and provide ongoing operational oversight to ensure the park meets Disney’s high standards. The resort will be located on Yas Island, already home to other Miral-developed attractions such as Ferrari World, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, and Warner Bros. World. Its waterfront setting opens up unique creative opportunities. “We’ll be able to pull water in and play with it in a completely new and unique way,” teased Josh D’Amaro, Disney Experiences Chairman.
“We’ve been doing this for 70 years, and each international resort has a different operational model,” D’Amaro explained. “Knowing Miral’s track record and sophistication, we felt confident in partnering with them for our seventh destination. While the Miral Group will build and operate the park, Disney will control the creative and design elements and ensure the guest experience is unmistakably Disney.”
This partnership model is rare but not unprecedented. Tokyo Disney Resort, owned and operated by the Oriental Land Company, is a close comparison. In contrast, Disney holds minority stakes in its Chinese and Hong Kong parks, which are majority-owned by local entities.
As for choosing Abu Dhabi, D’Amaro emphasized both the strategic location and cultural alignment. “There’s an insatiable global demand for Disney experiences. For every one person who visits a Disney park, there are 10 more fans who haven’t yet had the opportunity,” he said. “Abu Dhabi is an international crossroads—a place that values art and creativity while staying rooted in its heritage. That resonates with Disney’s mission and gives us a chance to blend tradition with a modern aesthetic.”
Geographically, the location makes strong logistical sense: a third of the world’s population lives within a four-hour flight. “Just today, 120 million passengers pass through Abu Dhabi and Dubai annually, and that number is only going to rise,” D’Amaro added.
Disney’s expansion into Abu Dhabi comes amid a broader $60 billion investment in its theme park division over the next decade, signaling a bold push into new markets and experiences. This will be Disney’s first new resort development since Shanghai Disney Resort opened in 2016.
CEO Bob Iger expressed his excitement: “This is a thrilling moment for our company. Disneyland Abu Dhabi will rise in spectacular fashion, blending contemporary architecture with cutting-edge technology. It will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati—an oasis of extraordinary entertainment that will bring our timeless characters and stories to life in new and inspiring ways.”
His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Miral, echoed the sentiment: “Abu Dhabi is where heritage meets innovation. Our collaboration with Disney brings together visionary leadership and creative excellence. What we are building is a new world of imagination—an experience that will create magical memories for generations across the region and the world.”
