First Look Reveals Disneyland Abu Dhabi Location on Yas Island Waterfront
Disney CEO Bob Iger shares site images as plans advance for the Middle East’s first Disneyland resort
The first glimpse of the future Disneyland Abu Dhabi location has been revealed, offering fans an early look at where the highly anticipated theme park resort will rise on Yas Island.
The Walt Disney Company CEO Robert “Bob” Iger shared images of the coastal site on Instagram on Sunday, marking the first public visual update since the project was officially announced in May 2025.
“Walking the site of what will one day be Disneyland Abu Dhabi! Lots of work ahead, but all very exciting!” Iger wrote alongside photos showing him surveying the waterfront landscape in the UAE.
Waterfront location on Yas Island
While Disney has not yet confirmed exact site coordinates, industry reports indicate that the park will be developed on prime waterfront land along the northern beach of Yas Island. The newly shared images offer the clearest indication yet of the project’s location and scale.
The resort will be fully developed and built by Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading destination developer. Disney will oversee creative design and operational standards, while Miral will operate the resort in line with international Disney benchmarks.
Yas Island is already home to major attractions including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, and Yas Waterworld. The addition of Disneyland Abu Dhabi is expected to position the island as one of the world’s most significant integrated entertainment destinations.
Disney’s first Middle East theme park
Announced in May 2025, Disneyland Abu Dhabi will become Disney’s first theme park in the Middle East, its seventh global resort, and the company’s first major new park since Shanghai Disneyland opened in 2016.
Construction remains in its early planning stages, with formal groundbreaking and detailed development timelines expected to be revealed throughout 2026 and beyond. Industry projections suggest the park could open in the early 2030s, consistent with Disney’s typical multi-year development cycles.
“Authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati”
Bob Iger previously outlined the creative vision for the project, highlighting its cultural and architectural ambition.
“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,” he said.
He also emphasised that the park will blend global Disney storytelling with regional identity.
“It will rise from this land in spectacular fashion, blending contemporary architecture with cutting edge technology to offer guests deeply immersive entertainment experiences in unique and modern ways. Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati – an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment at this crossroads of the world that will bring to life our timeless characters and stories in many new ways and will become a source of joy and inspiration for the people of this vast region to enjoy for generations to come,” Iger added.
What visitors can expect
Once completed, Disneyland Abu Dhabi is expected to feature signature Disney attractions, themed hotels, immersive entertainment zones, dining and retail experiences, and next-generation storytelling concepts designed to reflect both Disney’s global legacy and Abu Dhabi’s modern cultural vision.
As development progresses, the project is set to become one of the UAE’s most high-profile tourism investments and a landmark addition to the region’s entertainment landscape.
Read More: Disneyland Abu Dhabi Will Be Fully Indoors