Disneyland Abu Dhabi to Create 30,000 Jobs Amid AI Boom

Disneyland is finally coming to the UAE, and it’s bringing a massive wave of opportunities with it. The newly announced Disneyland Abu Dhabi is expected to be a “major driver of job creation,” according to industry experts, with over 30,000 jobs set to be created across various sectors.

Join our FREE WhatsApp channel to dive into a world of real-time engagement!

The theme park, which will be located on Yas Island, is a collaboration between Disney and Miral, the master developer behind many of Abu Dhabi’s major entertainment projects. While there’s no official opening date yet, it’s been confirmed that Miral will handle development and operations, while Disney will lead the creative direction and attraction development.

From Construction to Retail: Thousands of Jobs Incoming

Pedro Lacerda, Senior VP at TASC Group, says the impact of Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be felt across multiple industries.

“More than 30,000 jobs are expected to be created in the construction, operations, and tourism-related service sectors,” he said.

That includes 20,000+ roles in retail, transportation, and hospitality alone. And it doesn’t stop there.

“The project will open up new business prospects in real estate, logistics, and entertainment industries,” Pedro added, pointing to long-term ripple effects far beyond the park’s gates.

Diverse Roles and Big Opportunities

Shayan Sultan, Partner at Fragomen Middle East and North Africa, says the theme park will offer a wide range of jobs, from guest services and ride operations to food and beverage, facilities management, and corporate roles like HR, marketing, and finance.

“Many of these roles will require specialist experience or multilingual skills,” he said.

That means there will likely be a mix of local and global talent involved, while also supporting Emiratisation efforts, depending on the park’s final location and workforce policies.

Creative, Technical, and Entertainment Talent in Demand

Disneyland Abu Dhabi won’t just be about rides, it’ll be a full-blown entertainment experience. That means jobs for artists, actors, costume designers, animators, and stage managers too.

“To create captivating visitor experiences, creative teams will be essential,” said Pedro. “Technicians and show managers will ensure everything runs smoothly on stage and behind the scenes.”

With such a large-scale project, Shayan notes there’ll need to be a strong workforce pipeline in place, especially with backgrounds in hospitality, live entertainment, tech ops, and customer experience. He also hinted that immigration processes may need to evolve to support the influx of international professionals. That could include new visa pathways and faster processing for bulk hires.

AI Is the Future of Theme Parks

One major area of growth? Artificial Intelligence.

Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, said during the launch that the resort will “push the boundaries of theme park design,” hinting at heavy use of cutting-edge technology. That could mean big things for tech talent in the UAE.

“Experiential destinations today are powered by real-time technology,” said Andreas Hassellöf, CEO of Ombori and Phygrid. “There’s clear growth in frontline roles, but what’s really booming is the need for AI-powered infrastructure and the experts to run it.”

That includes new jobs like AI system operators, prompt engineers, and experience designers, roles that are just starting to gain traction in the theme park world.

And no, robots aren’t taking over.

“Humans love interacting with other humans, especially in places like amusement parks,” Andreas said. “The goal is to enhance, not replace, the human experience with smart tools and tech that make visits more fun and personal.”