Disneyland Abu Dhabi: When it will open and what to expect

Dubai: The magic of Disney is officially heading to Abu Dhabi, with plans confirmed for the Middle East’s first Disneyland-style resort.

In May 2025, Miral and The Walt Disney Company announced the landmark project, which will bring Disney’s globally recognised attractions and storytelling to the region for the first time. More recently, Disney CEO Bob Iger hinted that the mega-development will be located on Yas Island.

Once completed, the Abu Dhabi resort will become Disney’s seventh theme park destination worldwide, joining existing resorts in California, Florida, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Positioned as a major tourism hub between Europe, Asia, Africa and India, the resort is expected to draw millions of visitors from across the region and beyond each year.

With the project now officially confirmed, attention is turning to key details such as the exact location, overall design and when the new Disney destination is expected to open.

The location of the highly anticipated Disneyland Abu Dhabi was revealed for the first time on Monday, January 26, after Disney chief executive Bob Iger shared images from a site visit to Yas Island on social media.

“Walking the site of what will one day be Disneyland Abu Dhabi,” Iger wrote, alongside two photographs taken during the visit.

The images show a Yas Island sign in the background, with Abu Dhabi’s shoreline visible to one side. This has fuelled speculation that the theme park will be developed in the northern part of the island. While the exact plot has not yet been officially confirmed, Yas North is widely considered the only remaining area on the island large enough to accommodate a project of this scale.

Yas Island is already a major tourism and entertainment destination in Abu Dhabi, home to family-focused attractions such as Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, SeaWorld Yas Island and Yas Waterworld. Located around 20 minutes from central Abu Dhabi and approximately 50 minutes from Dubai, the island is easily accessible for both local residents and international visitors.

Disney has not yet confirmed an exact opening date for the Abu Dhabi resort. According to Reuters, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro noted that projects of this scale typically take one to two years for design and an additional four to six years for construction.

If the timeline progresses as planned, Disneyland Abu Dhabi could welcome visitors by 2032 or 2033.

Disney has yet to release official visuals of the new park, but the resort is expected to offer a unique and immersive experience. Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, confirmed that Disneyland Abu Dhabi would be “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati,” blending Disney storytelling with UAE culture and modern design.

Visitors can expect signature Disney entertainment, themed accommodations, immersive dining, shopping experiences, and attractions that reflect both Disney’s heritage and Abu Dhabi’s local character.

For the first time in Disney’s history, water will be integrated into the design of its signature castle. According to Zach Riddley, Senior Vice President of Global Creative Strategy at Walt Disney Imagineering, Abu Dhabi’s waterfront location inspired this innovative design.

“One of the first decisions we made was to create a castle park based on our Magic Kingdom style of storytelling,” Riddley explained. “Abu Dhabi is a city on the water, and we’re excited to incorporate water into the castle design.”

While the theme of the castle remains under wraps, Disney fans are already speculating which story or character will inspire it.

The Miral Group, the master developer behind several of Yas Island’s major attractions, will fully develop and construct the Disney resort. Disney will oversee creative design and operational management to ensure a world-class guest experience.

Miral has previously collaborated with leading American and European brands to develop Yas Island attractions and will also operate the new Disneyland resort.

This article was published May 09, 2025 and has been updated since.