Walt Disney has revealed its intentions to establish its inaugural theme park in the Middle East.
The upcoming resort will be situated on Yas Island in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is a joint venture with the local entertainment firm Miral.
Disney currently operates six theme parks across North America, Europe, and Asia, with the latest opening being in Shanghai in 2016.
Miral is tasked with the development of Yas Island as a premier tourist location and is already managing attractions such as SeaWorld and Warner Bros World, where it is also planning a Harry Potter-themed park.
In its announcement, Disney stated that the UAE’s location enables it to serve as a “major gateway for tourism,” with one-third of the world’s population within a four-hour flight.
Furthermore, it noted that Abu Dhabi and Dubai together facilitate travel for 120 million passengers annually, solidifying the region’s status as a premier global airline hub.
Disney CEO Robert Iger called the new park’s plans an “exciting” development, asserting that Disneyland Abu Dhabi would embody “genuine Disney charm while reflecting Emirati culture.”
Yas Island, covering an area of 10 square miles (25 square kilometers), is located just 20 minutes from Abu Dhabi’s city center and about 50 minutes from Dubai.
Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, head of Miral, remarked that the introduction of a Disney theme park resort represents a “pivotal accomplishment in our efforts to elevate the island’s status as a top-tier global destination for outstanding entertainment and leisure activities.”
He emphasized that this development would contribute to ongoing economic growth in Abu Dhabi and the surrounding areas.
Disney’s first theme park, Disneyland, opened its doors in Anaheim, California, in 1955, followed by Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, in 1971.
The company began its international expansion in 1983 with a Tokyo park, followed by Disneyland Paris in 1992, Hong Kong in 2005, and the recent addition in Shanghai in 2016.
On the same day, Disney reported better-than-expected financial performance for the first quarter of 2025, with revenue rising by 7% to $23.6 billion (£17.7 billion).
The Disney+ streaming service gained 1.4 million new subscribers, defying earlier predictions of a slight decline due to increased prices.
Visitor numbers at U.S. parks also surged, with guests spending more, and there was an uptick in cruise bookings following the launch of the new Disney Treasure ship.
“Despite concerns about macroeconomic conditions and competitive pressures, I remain optimistic about the strength and resilience of our business,” Mr. Iger stated.
Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell, noted that while many U.S. businesses are anxious about potential tariff impacts on consumer spending and household finances, Disney displays a confident outlook.