Walt Disney Co. announced on Wednesday (May 7) that the entertainment giant will be building a theme park and resort in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi. This will mark Disney’s seventh theme park and resort globally, and the first in the Middle East.
In a press release on Wednesday, Disney disclosed that it has reached a deal with Miral, a leading immersive travel destination and experience creator in Abu Dhabi, to create a landmark Disney theme park resort in the UAE capital. Positioned as a waterfront resort on Yas Island, a world-class leisure and entertainment destination that connects the Middle East, Africa, India, Asia, Europe, and other regions, the resort is set to attract a significant number of visitors.
Bob Iger, CEO of Walt Disney Co., expressed in the press release, “This is an exciting moment for our company as we announce plans to build an exhilarating Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi.” He further added, “As our seventh theme park destination, it will rise spectacularly from this land, integrating contemporary architecture with cutting-edge technology to provide guests with immersive entertainment experiences in a unique and modern way.” Iger highlighted that Disneyland Abu Dhabi, located at the “crossroads of the world,” will become an “extraordinary Disney entertainment oasis.”
Disney emphasized that the UAE’s strategic location allows one-third of the global population to fly to the country within a four-hour range, making the UAE an essential tourism gateway. Additionally, the UAE boasts the world’s largest global aviation hub, with 1.2 billion travelers passing through Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports each year.
The new resort will be fully developed and constructed by Miral. Disney and its legendary Imagineers will be responsible for creative design and operational supervision to deliver a world-class experience.
Upon completion of the new theme park resort, it will offer iconic Disney entertainment activities, themed accommodations, unique dining and retail experiences, telling stories to visitors in a manner that upholds Disney’s traditions while showcasing the essence of futuristic culture in Abu Dhabi.
Currently, there are six Disney parks worldwide. The first, in Anaheim, California, opened in 1955, followed by Walt Disney World in Florida in 1971, Tokyo Disneyland in 1983, Disneyland Paris in 1992, Hong Kong Disneyland in 2005, and Shanghai Disney Resort in 2016.