In a landmark move that blends entertainment with visionary urban planning, The Walt Disney Company has announced its plans to launch its first-ever theme park in the Middle East. The new park, Disneyland Abu Dhabi, will be developed in partnership with UAE-based developer Miral and is set to rise in the heart of Yas Island, Abu Dhabi’s leading entertainment and tourism hub.
The announcement was made during an official ceremony on May 7, attended by Disney CEO Bob Iger and senior Miral officials. Once completed, the Abu Dhabi park will be Disney’s seventh globally, but its first in the Arab world—a significant milestone for regional tourism and cultural infrastructure.
Photo by Mohamed Al Balsoohi / Abu Dhabi
Architecture, Identity & Innovation
While few architectural details were released, Disney executives described the park as the company’s “most advanced and interactive destination” to date, integrating cutting-edge technology with contemporary architectural expression.
Bob Iger emphasized that “Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati,” offering a reinterpretation of Disney’s timeless narratives within a culturally resonant built environment.
Miral will fully fund, develop, construct, and operate the park. Disney, on the other hand, will lead the creative design and provide operational oversight. The financial structure mirrors Disney’s Tokyo partnership, in which the park is operated independently under Disney licensing.
Part of a Broader Urban Vision
The new park will add another icon to Yas Island’s growing portfolio, which already includes Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World, and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi—a 2024 ENR Global Best Project awardee.
Spanning over 9.6 square miles, Yas Island has transformed over the past two decades into a multifaceted leisure and architectural destination. The project aligns with Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030, aiming to boost visitor numbers by over 60% by the end of the decade and diversify the emirate’s economy beyond oil.
Architectural Commentary
From an architectural lens, the Abu Dhabi Disney park symbolizes the merging of global entertainment architecture with regional cultural expression. The integration of Emirati identity with international design standards signals a growing maturity in the Gulf’s approach to large-scale urban experiences.
The project is more than just a theme park—it is a strategic statement about how placemaking, cultural identity, and experiential architecture can be woven together to redefine a city’s global role.
