Disney has just announced their latest theme park – Disneyland Abu Dhabi!
This Disneyland will be the entertainment conglomerate’s first major theme park since Shanghai Disneyland’s opening back in 2016, as well as its very first foray into the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Middle East in general – long considered a challenging market for theme parks.
Photo: Design Middle East
Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be built on Yas Island – a leisure hub famed for theme parks such as SeaWorld, Warner Bros. World and Ferrari World – in partnership with local developer Miral, which built all of the aforementioned theme parks.
Disney will be hoping to capitalize on the UAE’s strategic location between Europe, Africa and Asia – a short-flight away from one-third of the world’s population – to draw millions to its planned theme park blend of Disney magic and Emirati culture.
Photo: Dan Soriano
Of course, the UAE will also be aiming to further polish its strong tourism credentials with the most popular theme park brand in the world, adding to the Burj Khalifa, the Burj Al Arab and the previously mentioned Yas Island.
As for Disney fans and families, Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be a boon for those who dread long-haul flights to Europe and North America as well as those looking for something different from the well-established East Asian Disneyland parks.
Disneyland Abu Dhabi is predicted to launch in the early 2030s, so keep your eyes and ears peeled then for more info!
More of a anime and manga fan? Then check out our Ultimate Otaku’s Shopping Guide to Akihabara (2025)! Or relive your favourite scenes with these 8 “Sacred Sites” from Anime!
Links
The Walt Disney Company – The Walt Disney Company and Miral Announce Plans for Disney Theme Park and Resort on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/the-walt-disney-company-and-miral-announce-plans-for-disney-theme-park-and-resort-on-yas-island-abu-dhabi
CNN Travel – Disney announces a new theme park in Abu Dhabi, its first new resort in a generation
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/07/travel/disney-earnings-new-themepark-abu-dhabi
Disney Parks Blog – Disney Announces Plans for New Theme Park and Resort with Miral in Abu Dhabi
https://disneyparksblog.com/disney-experiences/disney-announces-abu-dhabi-theme-park
