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A Whole New World—Indoors! Disney Theme Park Officially Coming to Abu Dhabi via Miral Group Partnership
It’s official—Disney magic is heading to the Middle East for the very first time, and it’s doing it in true UAE style: indoors, cutting-edge, and surrounded by luxury.
Miral Group CEO Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi confirmed in a May 8th interview with The Business Breakfast on Dubai Eye 103.8 that the upcoming Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be a fully indoor theme park, developed and operated by Miral on Yas Island. That’s right, your favorite Disney characters will soon be enjoying air conditioning year-round—something we’re sure Elsa would approve of.
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This marks Disney’s first new park since Shanghai Disney Resort opened in 2016, and the seventh Disney theme park in the world. The news follows years of behind-the-scenes discussions and planning, and now it’s full steam ahead for what Miral promises will be “the most innovative, most advanced Disney theme park in the world.”
Inside Out (and Indoors)
While specifics like the exact location on Yas Island and an opening timeline are still under wraps, one major detail has been revealed: the entire park will be housed indoors, following the model of other Miral attractions like Warner Bros. World and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. The decision to build indoors isn’t just practical—it’s part of the UAE’s ongoing strategy to offer world-class, weather-proof tourism year-round.
Al Zaabi shared that the partnership will function similarly to Tokyo Disney Resort, where Disney handles the creative magic and Miral takes the reins on development and operations. “We’ve built trust over the last 15 years with properties like Ferrari World and Warner Bros.,” said Al Zaabi. “This is the crown jewel for Yas Island.”
Disney, Distinctly Emirati
Fans can expect the new park to be “authentically Disney, distinctly Emirati,” echoing Bob Iger’s description of Shanghai Disneyland as “authentically Disney, distinctly Chinese.” The Abu Dhabi park will blend Disney storytelling with Emirati culture and heritage, and even feature technology developed by local Abu Dhabi-based companies.
A Disney Resort? You Bet.
Although he was tight-lipped on specifics, Al Zaabi did confirm the project will be a full resort, including multiple features beyond the park itself—think Disney-themed hotels, immersive dining, and perhaps even shopping experiences that would make Princess Jasmine swoon.
An Epic Location
Yas Island is already home to some of the biggest IP-based theme parks in the world—including Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, and the recently announced Harry Potter experience. With four major international airports within a 30-minute travel radius and a railway station on the island in the works, accessibility is a key selling point. The goal? Attract guests from a 500-million-person radius within a 4–6 hour flight of Abu Dhabi.
In 2023 alone, Yas Island welcomed 38 million visits, and that number is expected to surge with Disney joining the lineup.
The Future Looks Fantasmic
As part of Abu Dhabi’s 2030 tourism plan, the Disney project will contribute to a goal of 178,000 new tourism-related jobs and a massive boost to GDP—targeting AED 450 billion by 2031. The park’s development will also include upgraded infrastructure, utilities, and guest flow management to accommodate the expected crowds.
Though attractions and themed lands weren’t disclosed, Al Zaabi promised a high-tech park experience with state-of-the-art innovation, created in close collaboration with Disney’s global team and local tech partners.
A Dream Built to Last
“To us, this is a legacy project,” said Al Zaabi. “We’re not just building a theme park; we’re building memories, a cultural exchange, and a destination that will redefine tourism in the region.”
The House of Mouse is about to build a new home—under one very magical roof.
You can watch the full interview below:
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