A new Disney theme park will soon materialize in the Arabian desert in what industry analysts call the entertainment giant’s most financially advantageous expansion yet. The Walt Disney Company announced May 8 their seventh global theme park in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, marking their first Middle East foothold and a unique financial arrangement in Disney’s park development history.
The waterfront resort along the Arabian Gulf coast at Yas Island represents a remarkable deal for Disney. The company provides creative expertise and operational oversight while Abu Dhabi-based Miral assumes financial responsibility for construction and operations. Industry estimates suggest development costs could reach billions, though neither company has disclosed specific figures.
This is a significant business model innovation for Disney’s parks division. Disney expands its global footprint and creates a new revenue stream through licensing and royalties, all while preserving its capital for investments in existing parks and other business segments.
The strategy mirrors Disney’s simultaneous domestic investment approach, where the company recently announced both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks at Walt Disney World will operate concurrently for summer 2025—marking a shift from their typical alternating schedule while offering resort guests enhanced attraction options.
The Abu Dhabi partnership strategically positions Disney in a region CEO Bob Iger described as “this crossroads of the world” during the announcement. The UAE’s status as a major global airline hub, with 120 million passengers traveling through Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports annually according to official figures, provides access to markets across multiple continents.
Disney and Miral have announced an expected opening in 2030, though theme park industry projects often face timeline adjustments. The companies have not yet released concept art or specific design details about the park’s attractions or centerpiece.
For Miral, which has already developed Ferrari World and Warner Bros. World on Yas Island, securing Disney represents a significant achievement in its portfolio development. The company has transformed Yas Island into an entertainment destination that recorded over 34 million visits in 2023, according to figures provided by Miral.
Abu Dhabi continues investing heavily in tourism infrastructure as part of its economic diversification strategy. The emirate has committed substantial resources to reduce dependency on oil revenue, with tourism development featuring prominently in its long-term economic plans.
As the project develops, Disney and Miral promise to create an experience that Iger described as “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati.” This balance between Disney’s global entertainment heritage and local cultural elements will be closely watched as the companies move forward with what represents a significant new chapter in both Disney’s international expansion and Abu Dhabi’s tourism development.
