On Sunday, Disney CEO Bob Iger shared photos of a visit to the future home of Disneyland Abu Dhabi. The photos show Iger, who will retire at the end of the year, walking along the coastline. This will be the location where the next Disney theme park will be built in the coming years.
The caption of the post on Instagram said, “Walking the site of what will one day be Disneyland Abu Dhabi! Lots of work ahead, but all very exciting!”
Disneyland Abu Dhabi was announced in May 2025. This will be Disney’s seventh theme park and destination resort. This one will be on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with Miral. This waterfront resort in the United Arab Emirates promises to connect travelers from the Middle East, Africa, India, Asia, Europe, and beyond. The new Disney destination will combine Disney’s iconic stories, characters, and attractions with the vibrant culture, stunning shorelines, and breathtaking architecture that are found in Abu Dhabi. When the announcement was made, Disney CEO Bob Iger said, “Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati.”
Here is the official announcement video:
“Abu Dhabi is a place where heritage meets innovation, where we preserve our past while designing the future,” His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, said at the announcement. “The collaboration between Abu Dhabi and Disney demonstrates the remarkable results of combining visionary leadership and creative excellence. What we are creating with Disney in Abu Dhabi is a whole new world of imagination — an experience that will inspire generations across the region and the world, creating magical moments and memories that families will treasure forever. Through the development of unique attractions and experiences, Abu Dhabi continues to be a destination of choice for the world.”
The new theme park and resort will be fully developed and built by Miral. Disney and Walt Disney Imagineering will lead the creative design and provide operational oversight to ensure the full Disney experience that guests have come to know and love. MIral, which has developed several family entertainment destinations on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with American and European brands, will operate the resort. This is similar to how Tokyo Disney Resort is owned and operated by the Oriental Land Company in Japan.
The UAE is within four hours by flight to a third of the world’s population and is a significant gateway for tourism. It is also the home of the largest global airline hub in the world. 120 million passengers travel through Abu Dhabi and Dubai each year.
Once the new Disneyland Abu Dhabi is completed, it will offer signature Disney entertainment, themed accommodations, unique dining and retail experiences, and storytelling. This will all be done in a way that celebrates the history and heritage of Disney, along with the futuristic and cultural essence of Abu Dhabi.
At this time, a specific timeline or opening date has not been announced for Disneyland Abu Dhabi. It is only known that there is a rough target of opening in the early 2030’s. With D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event happening later this year, it is possible that more details will be revealed there. Bob Iger is expected to retire at the end of 2026. His successor(s) could be announced any day.
