Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

The excitement around Disneyland Abu Dhabi just became very real. On Sunday (January 25), Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger shared photos from the exact site of the future theme park, confirming that the long-awaited Disney destination will rise in Yas North, part of Abu Dhabi’s world-famous entertainment hub. “Walking the site of what will one day be Disneyland Abu Dhabi!” Iger wrote on Instagram. “Lots of work ahead, but all very exciting!”
 
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The post quickly sent Disney fans into a frenzy, with eagle-eyed followers identifying the location as a currently empty plot on Yas Island, near Ferrari World, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and Warner Bros. World. First announced in May 2025, Disneyland Abu Dhabi will become Disney’s seventh theme park resort worldwide, and its first ever in the Middle East. The project has strong backing at the highest levels. Recently, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, met with Disney executives, including Iger and Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, to review progress on the project. According to Disney, the Abu Dhabi park will be “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati.” The design is expected to blend Disney’s iconic storytelling with local culture, architecture and heritage, making it unlike any park the company has built before. “Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment at this crossroads of the world,” Iger previously said. “It will bring our timeless characters and stories to life in many new ways.” Miral will develop and build the Disney theme park resort, with Walt Disney Company signing a deal with the Abu Dhabi master developer last year. Disney has also confirmed that the park will be one of the most technologically advanced Disney destinations ever built. D’Amaro has described the project as pushing the boundaries of theme park design, with groundbreaking technology and visionary architecture — including a modern, futuristic castle unlike anything seen before. Another standout feature is the park’s waterfront location, which is expected to play a major role in its design. The project will combine indoor and outdoor attractions, helping visitors stay cool while still enjoying open-air experiences. Beyond entertainment, the park is expected to deliver a major economic boost to Abu Dhabi. Thousands of jobs are anticipated across tourism, hospitality and entertainment, while Yas Island is likely to see even higher visitor numbers. For context, Yas Island recorded more than 34 million visits in 2023, a 38 percent increase year-on-year, according to Miral, the UAE-based company developing the project. While no opening date has been announced, Disney executives estimate the design phase could take one to two years, followed by around six years of construction, placing a likely opening between 2030 and 2032. CAM/Expat Media
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