In a groundbreaking move for the global entertainment industry, Disney has announced plans to open its first-ever theme park and resort in the Middle East, set for Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). This project marks Disney’s seventh global resort and its first major expansion since the opening of Disneyland Shanghai in 2016.

The new resort will be located on Yas Island, a major leisure and entertainment hub just 20 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi and less than an hour from Dubai. Disney’s strategic partnership with Miral, the UAE’s state-backed tourism and real estate giant, will see Miral fully fund, build, and operate the park, while Disney leads creative design and provides operational oversight.

Disney CEO Bob Iger described the project as “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati,” emphasizing how Abu Dhabi’s unique blend of culture, strategic geographic location, and booming tourism made it the ideal site. Located within a four-hour flight of one-third of the world’s population, the UAE serves as a major global tourism gateway, welcoming 120 million air passengers annually through Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports.

This Middle East expansion aligns with Disney’s broader $60 billion investment strategy for its parks and cruise businesses through 2033, including $30 billion earmarked for U.S. expansions in Florida and California.

Miral, which already manages SeaWorld and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and is currently developing a Harry Potter-themed park, sees this collaboration as a milestone for elevating Yas Island’s global profile. Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral, said the Disney project will “support sustained economic growth in Abu Dhabi and beyond.”

While no specific opening date has been provided, Disney suggested the park could take over five years to complete. Notably, the development is structured as a licensing deal: Disney will grant rights to its intellectual property and receive royalties, without direct capital investment or ownership stake.

This announcement comes as Disney celebrates stronger-than-expected Q1 2025 earnings, with revenues rising 7% to $23.6 billion and Disney+ gaining 1.4 million new subscribers despite recent price increases. Attendance at U.S. parks has also grown, alongside a surge in Disney cruise bookings following the launch of the Disney Treasure ship.

For travelers and Disney fans worldwide, the prospect of a “Disneyland Abu Dhabi” promises a one-of-a-kind destination that fuses the magic of Disney with the rich cultural tapestry of the Emirates. It’s a thrilling new chapter in the company’s nearly 70-year legacy of theme park innovation and international expansion.