Disney announces new theme park, resort coming to Abu Dhabi
This will be the seventh Disney resort around the world
The Walt Disney Co. announced that it will be creating a new theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
“Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirate. It will serve as an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment for millions of millions of people, connecting travelers from all over. The seventh Disney theme park resort will rise from the shores of this land in spectacular fashion, lending wonderful Disney stories and characters with the cultures and tastes of this country in this region,” Disney CEO Bob Iger said during the second quarter earnings call.
Disney will be working with Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences to bring the resort to life. The waterfront resort will be located on Yas Island, a world-class destination for entertainment and leisure, connecting travelers from the Middle East and Africa, India, Asia, Europe, and beyond.
Disney will not have any ownership in the new park. It’s all the capital of Miral “so there is no ownership, we own our IP and license it to them, is essentially the arrangement,” Iger said. “We are responsible for design and development. And we will be involved significantly in oversight of their operations. Basically to ensure that the Disney experience, meaning the Disney theme park experience, is up to the level that we offer and the other six locations in which we operate.”
“By the way, we are not concerned about that at all. They have already demonstrated a commitment to quality in that regard. This is essentially a license arrangement with considerable involvement of us,” Iger said.
“Abu Dhabi is a place where heritage meets innovation, where we preserve our past while designing the future,” His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, said. “The collaboration between Abu Dhabi and Disney demonstrates the remarkable results of combining visionary leadership and creative excellence. What we are creating with Disney in Abu Dhabi is a whole new world of imagination — an experience that will inspire generations across the region and the world, creating magical moments and memories that families will treasure forever. Through the development of unique attractions and experiences, Abu Dhabi continues to be a destination of choice for the world.”
The new resort will be fully developed and built by Miral. Disney and its legendary Imagineers will lead creative design and operational oversight.
The UAE is located within a four-hour flight of one-third of the world’s population, making it a significant gateway for tourism. The UAE is home to the largest global airline hub in the world, with 120 million passengers traveling through Abu Dhabi and Dubai each year.
“This groundbreaking resort destination represents a new frontier in theme park development,” said Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Experiences. “Our resort in Abu Dhabi will be the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio. The location of our park is incredibly unique – anchored by a beautiful waterfront – which will allow us to tell our stories in completely new ways. This project will reach guests in a whole new part of the world, welcoming more families to experience Disney than ever before. Ultimately, it will be a celebration of what’s possible when creativity and progress come together.”
Upon completion, the new theme park resort will offer signature Disney entertainment, themed accommodations, unique dining and retail experiences, and storytelling in a way that celebrates both the heritage of Disney and the futuristic and cultural essence of Abu Dhabi.