Disney Announces First-Ever Theme Park in the Middle East—Coming to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

Walt Disney is set to bring the magic of its iconic parks to the Middle East for the first time, with plans unveiled for a Disneyland resort on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The project is a partnership between Disney and Miral, the entertainment company behind Yas Island’s transformation into a global leisure hub, already home to SeaWorld and Warner Bros. World, with a Harry Potter park currently under construction.

Disney CEO Robert Iger described the upcoming Disneyland Abu Dhabi as both “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati.” Strategically located, the UAE is just a 4-hour flight from one-third of the world’s population, and sees 120 million international passengers pass through Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports annually.

The 25-square-kilometre Yas Island is just 20 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi and under an hour from Dubai, making it a prime location for global tourism.

The announcement comes as Disney reported strong earnings for early 2025:

$23.6 billion in revenue

1.4 million new Disney+ subscribers

A boost in US park attendance and cruise bookings with the debut of the Disney Treasure ship

Financial analysts say Disney is showing strong confidence, even amid global economic uncertainty.