Plans for the new Disney destination remain in motion
Despite ongoing regional tensions, the Disneyland Abu Dhabi project is still moving ahead, and Disney executives are reinforcing that the long-term vision remains unchanged.
As reported by The National, Disney chief executive Josh D’Amaro said the “strategic logic” behind the UAE resort is intact, even following conflict in the wider region earlier this year.
His comments were among the clearest signals yet that the company remains committed to delivering its first-ever Middle East theme park on Yas Island.
“We have multiple experience expansions under way,” D’Amaro said in a shareholder letter, including “working with established local operators to bring…a theme park resort to Abu Dhabi.”
He also stressed that large-scale theme parks are inherently long-term projects, noting that Disney’s investment approach “has consistently benefited our business” over time.
A landmark project for Disney and Abu Dhabi
The Abu Dhabi resort will be Disney’s seventh global theme park destination and its first in the Middle East, marking a major expansion into a new region for the entertainment giant.
The project is being developed in partnership with Miral, the Abu Dhabi-based developer behind Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, and Yas Waterworld, all key anchors of Yas Island’s growing entertainment ecosystem.
Under the agreement, Miral will fund, build, and operate the park, while Disney oversees creative direction and earns royalties through its capital-light model.
Disney has previously described the Abu Dhabi resort as its “most advanced and interactive” destination to date, signalling a strong focus on technology-driven experiences and immersive storytelling.
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Why Abu Dhabi
The UAE was chosen for its strategic location between East and West, strong tourism infrastructure, and established track record of delivering large-scale leisure projects on Yas Island.
The destination already attracts millions of visitors annually, positioning it as a natural fit for a global brand like Disney.
What we know so far
While official design details remain limited, early indications suggest the park will be built in the Yas North area, based on site clues shared publicly by former Disney CEO Bob Iger, who posted images captioned: “Walking the site of what will one day be Disneyland Abu Dhabi!”
Some teasing visual cues in those images, including waterfront elements and signage, appear to align with undeveloped sections of the northern area of Yas Island.
For now, Disney is still in the design and planning phase, a stage that typically takes years before construction even begins.
But with executive backing, a major regional partner, and a rapidly expanding entertainment district already in place, the project continues to be positioned as one of the most significant theme park developments in the world.
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