The Walt Disney Company is bringing a seventh theme park to life in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The park will operate in collaboration with Miral, “Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences.”
©Disney
Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be fully developed and built by Miral, with Disney Imagineers leading creative design and operational oversight. Disney’s decision has been met with sharp criticism and logistical questions about how the theme park will operate on Yas Island, but that hasn’t stopped CEO Bob Iger from sharing photos from his most recent visit to the site of the future theme park.
Disney CEO Bob Iger recently shared photos of his most recent trip to the future home of Disneyland Abu Dhabi on Yas Island. He captioned the post, “Walking the site of what will one day be Disneyland Abu Dhabi! Lots of work ahead, but all very exciting!”
via @robertiger on Instagram
The waterfront resort was announced in May 2025 and has been met with criticism over the choice to bring a Disney park to a country with such strict laws as the United Arab Emirates.
This new Disney resort will be located on Yas Island, a spot known for entertainment and tourism. It is expected to connect travelers from the Middle East and Africa, India, Asia, Europe, and more. According to Disney, the theme park “will combine Disney’s iconic stories, characters and attractions with Abu Dhabi’s vibrant culture, stunning shorelines, and breathtaking architecture.”
via @robertiger on Instagram
Disney pointed out that the UAE is located within a four-hour flight of one-third of the world’s population, “making it a significant gateway for tourism.”According to Travel and Tour World, India is one of the largest sources of tourism for the UAE.
©Miral
Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Experiences, said, “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.”
It was later confirmed that the theme park will be located entirely indoors — a first for Disney.
©Miral
Disneyland Abu Dhabi will feature:
- Signature Disney entertainment;
- Themed accommodations;
- Unique dining and retail experiences;
- Storytelling in a way that celebrates both the heritage of Disney and the futuristic and cultural essence of Abu Dhabi
©Disney
Disney hasn’t revealed too many details about the new park, but in an interview with CNBC, Iger gave some insight into an expected timeline, sharing: “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.”
If that is the timeline for building the new park, it seems like it could be opening around 2032, give or take.
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However, the response to the announcement has been mixed. While some fans are excited — especially those living near the new park — others are concerned about Disney partnering with a government that seems to go against what Disney has previously maintained as a goal: inclusivity.
Iger’s recent comments on building a Disney park in Abu Dhabi are a shift from past comments he made at a Council on Foreign Relations event in 2018, when he shared that the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, made an “impassioned plea” for Disney to build a theme park in his kingdom, according to the New York Times.
Iger said, “I explained when we make decisions like this, we consider cultural issues, economic issues, and political issues,” not electing to give further details on the “very frank” discussion. He added that the region had “not been at the top of our list in terms of markets that we would open up in.”
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It’s clear that something has changed, as Iger’s recent Instagram comments indicate he’s excited about the project. One thing is for sure: we’ll be on the lookout for more updates about Disneyland Abu Dhabi and beyond.
In the meantime, stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more.
Learn more about Disneyland Abu Dhabi below:
- “All very exciting!” Disney CEO Bob Iger Shares Disneyland Abu Dhabi Update
- Disney Adults Are Obsessing Over These NEW Castle Details
- CONFIRMED: Disneyland Abu Dhabi Will Be an Indoor Theme Park
- “Disney Has Become a Playground for the Rich.” Fans Have Thoughts About Disney’s Big Announcement
- NEWS: Disney Executives Comment on Scale of New Abu Dhabi Resort: “More Ambitious.”
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Lots of ‘projects’ get ‘announced’ and never get completed in that area of the world. Lots of money gets tossed around to create interest then the interest wanes followed by the money slowing down and nothing ever opening. If this does happen, at best this would become an innovation playground for technology that might make its way to a domestic park.
I think this is a great idea on Disney’s part! What is inclusivity if not celebrating DIFFERENT cultures and making Disney Magic more accessible to them? Plus, the new park will probably be stunning and incredibly high tech and innovative!