Disney Announces New Theme Park in Abu Dhabi: A World of Imagination Awaits

In a dazzling announcement that has sent ripples of excitement throughout the global entertainment landscape, Disney has unveiled plans to construct a brand-new theme park in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This ambitious project, a collaboration with Miral, a prominent regional leader in creating immersive experiences, promises to be a groundbreaking addition to Disney’s already impressive portfolio of theme park destinations.

The announcement was made Wednesday, igniting anticipation among Disney enthusiasts and travel aficionados alike. The new park, tentatively named "Disneyland Abu Dhabi," marks Disney’s first foray into a new park development since the opening of Shanghai Disney Resort in 2016.

Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, expressed his enthusiasm for the project in an interview with USA TODAY, stating, "This is going to be one of the most advanced theme parks that we’ve ever built. We’ve got an opportunity here to build from the ground up and really put on display all of this ambition, all this innovation, all this new technology that we have at hand to create something incredibly special for our fans."

Echoing D’Amaro’s sentiments, Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger, in a joint press release with Miral, emphasized the unique blend of Disney magic and Emirati culture that will define Disneyland Abu Dhabi. "Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati," Iger stated, hinting at a park that celebrates both the beloved Disney brand and the rich heritage of the United Arab Emirates.

D’Amaro further elaborated on the park’s cultural integration, explaining, "When you walk into it, it will feel Disney, but it will also reflect the Emirati culture. It will reflect the cultures from around the world that come into this beautiful place." This commitment to cultural representation promises to create a truly immersive and globally appealing experience for visitors.

As with all Disney theme parks, fans can anticipate a comprehensive array of Disney-themed attractions, accommodations, dining options, and retail outlets. However, Disneyland Abu Dhabi will also feature a unique element: water. Situated on Yas Island, the park will have direct access to the waterfront, allowing Disney Imagineers to incorporate water features in innovative and imaginative ways.

"We will be right up against water, so we’ll be able to play with water in a completely new and unique way that we haven’t been able to do in some of our other destinations," D’Amaro explained. "You can think about that water coming into our resort almost playing a character in a way." This innovative use of water promises to add a new dimension of immersive storytelling to the park’s attractions and experiences.

Miral, Disney’s partner in this ambitious venture, is a key player in Abu Dhabi’s tourism and entertainment sector. The company is responsible for developing and operating some of the region’s most popular attractions, including Warner Bros. World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; and Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Miral, expressed his excitement about the partnership with Disney, stating, "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, creating magical moments and memories that families will treasure forever."

Under the agreement, Miral will be responsible for building, developing, operating, and fully funding the new resort. Disney Imagineers will lead the creative design process, while Disney will oversee the park’s operational aspects.

Disneyland Abu Dhabi’s location on Yas Island offers numerous advantages. Yas Island is a thriving leisure and entertainment hub, situated less than 30 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi and less than an hour from Dubai. In addition to theme parks, Yas Island boasts Abu Dhabi’s largest mall, a marina, a golf course, numerous hotels and restaurants, the Etihad Arena, and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix circuit.

D’Amaro highlighted the strategic location of the United Arab Emirates, noting that it serves as a crossroads of art, creativity, and cultural exchange. He also emphasized the region’s accessibility, pointing out that a third of the world’s population resides within a four-hour flight of the UAE. Furthermore, the combined airports of Abu Dhabi and Dubai form the largest airline hub worldwide, serving 120 million travelers annually. This strategic location will enable Disney to reach new audiences and expand its global reach.

Disney currently operates 12 theme parks across six destinations worldwide. In the United States, Walt Disney World in Florida also features two water parks: Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach.

D’Amaro emphasized the unique appeal of each Disney park, stating, "Every single one of our parks is special. In fact, we’ll be celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Disneyland Resort this summer, and that park, 70 years old, is still as special and unique to our fans as this one will be in this part of the world."

While the opening date for Disneyland Abu Dhabi has not yet been announced, Disney has indicated that Miral is eager to move forward with the project expeditiously.

In the meantime, Disney is actively investing in its existing properties and previously announced expansions, with a $60 billion investment plan underway.

"A couple of years ago now, we talked about turbocharging the Disney Experiences segment," D’Amaro explained. "We’re investing $30 billion in the U.S., creating 10,000 new jobs by virtue of that investment. We’re investing on the sea, doubling the size of our fleet. We’re even investing online and creating new communities with our partner Epic Games. And now we’ve got an opportunity to come to a part of the world that will be able to entertain guests that we just haven’t had an opportunity to entertain before."

D’Amaro concluded with an enthusiastic declaration, "To say that we’re excited is an understatement. We think this is going to be the next big chapter in Disney experiences."

The announcement of Disneyland Abu Dhabi marks a significant milestone in Disney’s global expansion strategy. By partnering with Miral and embracing the unique cultural identity of the United Arab Emirates, Disney is poised to create a theme park destination that will captivate audiences from around the world and solidify its position as a leader in the entertainment industry.