This is the new theme park that Disney will open in Abu Dhabi and promises to transform the Middle East.

The Walt Disney Company has decided to take a leap forward and establish itself in Abu Dhabi . The company has just announced that, in partnership with Miral, the leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences in the capital, it will open a Disney theme park and resort on Yas Island (United Arab Emirates). This will be the company's seventh Disney destination , which already has a presence in Orlando (Florida), Anaheim (California), Tokyo (Japan), Paris, Hong Kong, and Shanghai (China).

Disney and Miral have announced that the beachfront resort is a global entertainment and leisure destination connecting travelers from the Middle East, Africa, India, Asia, and Europe. Yas Island, located 20 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi and 50 from Dubai, is a tourist destination and already has four theme parks: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Warner Bros , both attraction parks; Seaworld Yas Island , a marine wildlife theme park; and Yas Waterworld , a water park.

The theme park will combine iconic Disney stories, characters, and attractions with Abu Dhabi's vibrant culture , stunning coastline, and architecture. "It will feature a castle and modernized versions of some classic Disney attractions, along with new ones tailored to the local climate and culture," The New York Times reports.

“The collaboration between Abu Dhabi and Disney demonstrates the remarkable results of combining visionary leadership and creative excellence,” said Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak , Chairman of Miral. “What we are creating with Disney in Abu Dhabi is a whole new world of imagination,” he said during the project launch, “an experience that will inspire generations across the region and around the world, creating magical moments and memories that families will cherish forever. By developing unique attractions and experiences, Abu Dhabi continues to be a destination of choice for everyone.”

The new resort will be developed and built entirely by Miral. It will also operate it in collaboration with American and European brands. However, the creative design and operational supervision will be handled by Walt Disney Imagineering , which must take into account the unique climatic conditions of the area.

“This is an exciting time for our company,” said Robert A. Iger , CEO of The Walt Disney Company . “Our seventh theme park will combine contemporary architecture with cutting-edge technology to offer guests immersive entertainment experiences in a uniquely modern way. Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctively Emirati – an extraordinary oasis of Disney entertainment at this crossroads of the world that will bring our timeless characters and stories to life in many new ways and will be a source of joy and inspiration for the people of this region to enjoy for generations.”

The United Arab Emirates is located within a four-hour flight of one-third of the world's population, making it a major gateway for tourism. It also hosts the world's largest global air hub, with 120 million passengers traveling through Abu Dhabi and Dubai each year.

"This innovative resort destination represents a new frontier in theme park development," said Josh D'Amaro , president of Disney Experiences. " Our Abu Dhabi resort will be the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio . Our park's unique location—anchored by a beautiful waterfront—will allow us to tell our stories in entirely new ways."

While the park's timeline, budget, and opening date are unknown , it is assured that, once completed, it will offer Disney entertainment, themed accommodations, unique dining and shopping experiences, and storytelling in a way that celebrates both Disney's heritage and the futuristic and cultural essence of Abu Dhabi.

According to The New York Times, the United Arab Emirates has long been pursuing the American company, whose international presence began in 1983 in Japan. With this agreement, the country is closer to achieving its goals. The new Tourism Strategy 2030 for the country aims to increase the number of visitors from almost 24 million in 2023 to 39.3 million in 2030 (including overnight and same-day stays), a year-over-year growth of 7%. This implies almost doubling the number of international overnight visitors, from 3.8 million in 2023 to 7.2 million in 2030.