Be their guest at the first Disney theme park in the Middle East.
A whole new world awaits. The Walt Disney Company has announced that it will open in Abu Dhabi. This is a milestone moment, as it marks the first Disney theme park resort in the Middle East. The venture has been created with the capital’s entertainment company, Miral. Scheduled to open its doors between 2030 and 2033, it will be located on Yas Island.
In 1955, the Walt Disney Company opened its first theme park, Disneyland. Located in California, United States, it is the only theme park designed by Walt Disney himself. Today, there are six theme parks around the world in Asia, Europe and North America. The last opening was in 2016, and it is located in Shanghai, China.
Robert A. Iger, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company, explained: “As our seventh theme park destination, it will rise from this land in spectacular fashion, blending contemporary architecture with cutting-edge technology to offer guests deeply immersive entertainment experiences in unique and modern ways.
“Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati – an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment at this crossroads of the world that will bring to life our timeless characters and stories in many new ways and will become a source of joy and inspiration for the people of this vast region to enjoy for generations to come.”
Opening date for Disney Abu Dhabi
The exact opening date for Disney Abu Dhabi has not yet been confirmed. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Josh D’Amaro explained that it could take “a year or two to design, and another four to six years to build”.
Disney CEO Bob Iger spoke to CNBC and stated that once construction begins, it could take up to five years. He added, “We’re not pinning down a date yet. It typically takes us between 18 months and two years to design and fully develop and approximately five years to build but we’re not making any commitments right now.”
Location for Disney Abu Dhabi
The UAE was a strategic location, as it is within a four-hour flight of one-third of the world’s population. The country is home to one of the largest global airline hubs in the world, with 120 million passengers travelling through Abu Dhabi and Dubai each year.
Disney Abu Dhabi will be located on the capital’s entertainment destination, Yas Island. The entertainment hub includes a range of family-friendly experiences. It is already home to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Formula 1 Yas Marina Circuit, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld. Plus, the area includes Abu Dhabi’s largest mall and an award-winning golf course.
His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, explained: “Abu Dhabi is a place where heritage meets innovation, where we preserve our past while designing the future.
What we are creating with Disney in Abu Dhabi is a whole new world of imagination — an experience that will inspire generations across the region and the world, creating magical moments and memories that families will treasure forever. Through the development of unique attractions and experiences, Abu Dhabi continues to be a destination of choice for the world.”
Attractions at Disney Abu Dhabi
Disney Abu Dhabi aims to be one jump ahead of its other locations. This will be the most high-tech destination that the company has ever created. The theme park plans to push the boundaries with its architecture and design. Plus, it will include nods to its location and Emirati touches.
Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Experiences, explained: “Our resort in Abu Dhabi will be the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio. The location of our park is incredibly unique – anchored by a beautiful waterfront, which will allow us to tell our stories in completely new ways. Ultimately, it will be a celebration of what’s possible when creativity and progress come together.”
The details for the attractions and rides have not yet been confirmed. We’re hoping it might pay homage to Aladdin, which is set in the middle of the desert, and Star Wars, which was filmed in Abu Dhabi.
So far, we know that it will include state-of-the-art rides, which draw inspiration from Disney’s back catalogue of films. The signature castle will not be on the site, and it will be fully indoors. It will be possible to visit all year round and during Abu Dhabi’s hot summers. We’re expecting a touch of Elsa – and air conditioning.
What about the Disney castle?
In a recent episode of Disney’s YouTube series “We Call It Imagineering,” Zach Riddley, Senior Vice President of Global Creative Strategy at Walt Disney Imagineering, outlined plans for the castle in the Abu Dhabi park, confirming that water will be integrated into the castle’s design for the first time.
“This has been an incredibly exciting project to get a chance to not only visit Abu Dhabi and experience what the city is like, what the culture is like, but also to imagine what a new Disney experience is going to be here.”
“Abu Dhabi is a city on the water, and so we’re really excited about being able to incorporate water for the first time in the design of one of our castles.”
Hotel, shops and restaurants at Disney Abu Dhabi
Disneyland will be home to a range of exciting experiences. The site will include a hotel, shops and restaurants. In 2025, Abu Dhabi welcomed its first standalone Disney store in Yas Mall, and Dubai welcomed its flagship Disney store in Dubai Mall.
The number of hotels at Disney Abu Dhabi has not yet been confirmed. At Disney theme parks around the world, the hotels draw inspiration from the brand’s films – a Lightning McQueen bed, anyone? Dreams really do come true.
Disneyland Abu Dhabi or Emirates Disneyland?
According to Forbes, domain registration records show that Disney Enterprises registered emiratesdisneyland.com in California on May 6, one day before the new park was officially announced, meaning the park could be called Emirates Disneyland.
Disney has also registered several other domains which could refer to names of the new park, including disneylandyasisland.com, yasdisneyland.com, disneylandarabia.com and disneylandabudhabi.com
Disney’s Chief Executive Bob Iger referred to the park as “Disneyland Abu Dhabi” in the official press release, while the Yas Island website calls it “Disney Abu Dhabi” and the Abu Dhabi government’s release refers to it as the “Disney Theme Park Resort project.”
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