Disney Abu Dhabi to Blend Magic with Emirati Identity

When Disney opens its highly anticipated theme park in Abu Dhabi, visitors can expect more than Mickey ears and thrilling rides, they’ll be stepping into a place that celebrates the heart of the UAE.

“This destination will be authentically Emirati in style, but fully Disney in experience,” said Dr. Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral, the developer behind Yas Island’s attractions. “We want visitors to feel the culture of the UAE while enjoying the magic of Disney.”

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A Historic Milestone for Disney and Abu Dhabi

This project marks Disney’s first new theme park announcement in 16 years and its seventh globally. It’s also the brand’s debut in the Middle East. Since being signed off in April 2025, the project has entered the design phase, with Disney and Miral working closely through regular development workshops.

With this, Yas Island further cements its place as a global entertainment hub, already home to Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi.

The World’s Most Accessible Disney Park?

Strategically positioned between Europe, Asia, and Africa, Disney Abu Dhabi is expected to become the most accessible Disney park in the world. Over 500 million people are within a 4-5 hour flight, and the park will be just minutes away from both Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports.

“This will be a game-changer for regional tourism. We’re filling a massive gap between the Far East and Europe,” Al Zaabi explained.

Why Disney Chose Abu Dhabi

Disney’s partnership with Miral reflects its confidence in the UAE’s infrastructure and proven track record. “They were impressed with what we’ve already built. We’ve shown that we can deliver at global standards,” Al Zaabi said.

Miral’s long-term strategy involves launching at least one new experience on Yas Island every year, expanding hotel capacity, and continuously introducing fresh entertainment offerings to encourage repeat visits.

Miral’s Big Plans

Yas Island continues to evolve. Warner Bros. World is expanding, more themed hotels are in the pipeline, and new zones are under development. Miral also confirmed it has ample land for future growth.

“We’ve always grown organically, adding rides, attractions, and experiences, and we’ll continue at that same pace,” Al Zaabi said.

Busting the Summer Myth

Forget the idea that summer is a dead season. Yas Island’s attractions are recording 90–98% occupancy rates during July and August, rivaling winter peaks.

Al Zaabi credits this to indoor attractions, family-friendly programming, and increased interest from regional and international markets like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, India, China, and Europe.

The latest summer-focused addition? A massive 13,000-square-metre expansion at Yas Waterworld with 20+ new rides and slides.

Experiences Tailored to You

Miral doesn’t just build attractions, it listens. From ladies-only days to parent-child slides, guest feedback drives decision-making. Even their most viral campaign, with 1.4 billion views, came from a junior intern’s pitch.

“It’s not about what we want, it’s about what our guests want. That’s our measure of success,” Al Zaabi said.

Building the Future

Tourism is a major pillar of the UAE’s economic future. Miral is playing a key role in achieving national targets like 178,000 new tourism jobs and raising the sector’s GDP contribution from $62 billion to $90 billion by 2031.

“Every new expansion means more jobs, longer stays, and more local spending,” Al Zaabi said.

Currently, the average Yas Island visitor stays 2.4 nights. The goal is to stretch that closer to 3 nights with every new launch.

What’s Next?

While the CEO didn’t reveal a specific opening date for Disney Abu Dhabi, he confirmed that design work is moving fast. The site will benefit from top-tier connectivity, including the future GCC railway, upgraded Abu Dhabi airport, and other transit links.

“This isn’t just a win for Abu Dhabi,” Al Zaabi concluded. “It’s a win for the UAE and for the entire region. No other place in the world can say it has Disney, SeaWorld, Ferrari World, and Warner Bros. side by side.”