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Abu Dhabi, May 8, 2025 – The Middle East is about to witness the blossoming of a magical new era in entertainment, for the affiliation of plans for Disneyland in Abu Dhabi has gone into official dissolution. Being the first Disney resort in the region, Disneyland Abu Dhabi is anticipated to become the spotlight attraction for families and visitors from all over the globe. This is indeed a landmark for Disney and the UAE alike since the project would knock down new doors for leisure and tourism in the Middle East.
A Landmark Project for Abu Dhabi and Disney
Disneyland in Abu Dhabi will be built on Yas Island, which is already popular with world-class attractions such as Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, and SeaWorld. With the seventh Disney resort globally and the very first in the Middle East, Disneyland Abu Dhabi would represent a historic entertainment seaside for the entire region.
Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that the project is a mashup of Disney’s most loved stories and characters, with the cultural elements of Abu Dhabi and modern architectural designs. Disneyland Abu Dhabi theme park will provide signature Disney entertainment, themed hotel stays, immersive dining, and shopping experiences for guests to cherish forever.
“We want the same thing here in Abu Dhabi as we do everywhere: a park that feels unique to its location, with design, cuisine, and experiences that reflect the region,” said Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Miral, added, “What we are creating with Disney in Abu Dhabi is a whole new world of imagination experience that will inspire generations across the region and the world”.
Unlike other Disney parks, the development and operation of Disneyland in Abu Dhabi will be held with Miral, a leading immersive destination company based in Abu Dhabi. Disney is responsible for the creative design of the Disneyland Abu Dhabi theme park and also for its operational guidance, ensuring that the Disneyland Abu Dhabi theme park is run to a Disney standard in storytelling and magic.
Disneyland Abu Dhabi Opening Date and What to Expect
Though no actual opening date of Disneyland Abu Dhabi has ever been given, Disney officials have intimated that the park is expected to open latest by 2030. Normally, designing and planning may take up to two years, with almost five years of construction to follow after that. Disney has not committed to any specific timeline as of now, but the early 2030s is set as the goal date for the grand opening.
The Disneyland Abu Dhabi theme park will be unique in many ways. Initial designs point to a combination of indoor-outdoor attractions that will ensure guests are sheltered from the extreme summer heat of the region. It will also be the most technologically advanced Disney resort ever designed from the outset, boasting some of the finest cutting-edge facilities, a gorgeous waterfront spot on Yas Island.
Visitors can look forward to:
- Classic Disney rides and attractions
- Themed hotels and resorts
- Unique dining and shopping experiences
- Entertainment that combines Disney’s legacy with Abu Dhabi’s cultural spirit
The Disneyland Abu Dhabi theme park will also feature a new, crystal-like castle design, setting it apart from traditional Disney parks. The resort’s location on the waterfront will offer guests beautiful views and a fresh experience not found in other Disney destinations.
A Boost for Tourism and the Middle East
Tourism, a state of sudden burst, is stimulated by the coming of Disneyland in Abu Dhabi, promoting an atmosphere conducive to the UAE and neighboring Middle Eastern countries. Presently, Abu Dhabi and Dubai serve as important major air hubs, with over 120 million passengers annually looking to travel. Should Disneyland in Abu Dhabi come to pass, it would certainly become the greatest potential showcase for visitation in a 4-hour radius from the surrounding lands of Africa and India, as well as places in Asia and Europe.
Yas Island is already a hit amongst visitors, welcoming over 38 million visitors in 2024, a 10% growth over 2023 levels! Disneyland Abu Dhabi will undoubtedly propel these numbers into the billions, thereby pushing the UAE forward as the world leader in leisure and entertainment.
A big milestone ahead is Disneyland in Abu Dhabi: the other disruption to the established order in the tourism industry of the Middle East. This project forms part of an overall program of the UAE to branch out economically and fund unforgettable family value archetypes for the coming two generations.
In short, the Disneyland Abu Dhabi theme park will be beyond ready in 2030 to hover in the skies of the Middle East with Disney magic for the first time. Boasting state-of-the-art design, prime location, and a promise of incomparable experiences, Disneyland Abu Dhabi is slated to become the crowning jewel of the entertainment world in the area.
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