Disneyland Abu Dhabi to be Disney’s Seventh Resort

The Walt Disney Company is partnering with Miral to create a waterfront Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be built on Yas Island and will “combine Disney’s iconic stories, characters and attractions with Abu Dhabi’s vibrant culture, stunning shorelines, and breathtaking architecture.”

When visiting, guests will find “signature Disney entertainment, themed accommodations, unique dining and retail experiences, and storytelling in a way that celebrates both the heritage of Disney and the futuristic and cultural essence of Abu Dhabi.”

“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.”

Bob Iger, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company

Miral will develop, build, and operate the resort while Disney and Disney Imagineering will “lead creative design and operational oversight.” Miral has a history of developing family destinations on Yas Island. Miral’s chairman, Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, said the resort will be 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.”

Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro wasn’t shy about raising the theme park bar: “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. This project will reach guests in a whole new part of the world, welcoming more families to experience Disney than ever before. Ultimately, it will be a celebration of what’s possible when creativity and progress come together.”

Disney shared the following video, filled with quotes by Disney and Miral executives (and Walt Disney himself). It also offers us a glimpse of just how beautiful Yas Island is.

It’s not hard to see why Disney wants to tap into this new market. The United Arab Emirates is within a 4-hour flight of a third of the world’s population. As my son repeatedly tells me, Dubai International Airport is a world-class hub. 120 million passengers travel through there each year.

We’ll keep you posted on all Disneyland Abu Dhabi news as it happens.