A Landmark Collaboration: Disney and Miral Unite

The Walt Disney Company has announced plans to establish its seventh global theme park resort on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This marks Disney’s first venture into the Middle East, achieved through a strategic partnership with Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences.

Miral will finance, build, and operate the resort, while Disney will handle the design and development, licensing its intellectual property and providing operational oversight. This collaboration aims to blend Disney’s iconic stories and characters with Abu Dhabi’s vibrant culture and architecture, creating a unique and immersive experience for visitors.

Yas Island: A Thriving Entertainment Hub

Yas Island is already home to several world-class attractions, including Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, and Yas Waterworld. The addition of a Disney theme park is expected to further enhance the island’s appeal as a premier global destination for entertainment and leisure.

In 2023, Yas Island recorded over 34 million visits, a 38% increase compared to the previous year, highlighting its growing popularity among tourists and residents alike.

A Fusion of Innovation and Culture

Disney CEO Bob Iger emphasized that the new park will be “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati,” blending contemporary architecture with cutting-edge technology to offer guests deeply immersive entertainment experiences in unique and modern ways.

His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, stated, “The collaboration between Abu Dhabi and Disney demonstrates the remarkable results of combining visionary leadership and creative excellence. 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.”

Economic and Cultural Impact

The development of the Disney theme park is expected to contribute significantly to Abu Dhabi’s economy by attracting tourists from the Middle East, Africa, India, Asia, Europe, and beyond. It aligns with the UAE’s strategy for economic diversification and the growth of its creative and cultural industries.

While no projected opening date has been announced, the park’s construction is anticipated to take several years, with Disney’s Imagineers leading the creative design and providing operational oversight.

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