Disney’s theme park in Abu Dhabi to blend UAE culture with Disney magic

When Disney opens its long-awaited theme park in Abu Dhabi, visitors can expect more than magical rides and familiar characters. They’ll step into a destination that proudly reflects the spirit and soul of the UAE.

“This destination will be authentically Emirati in style, but fully Disney in experience,” said Mohammed Abdalla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral Group. - “We want visitors to feel the culture of the UAE while enjoying the magic of Disney.”

The ambitious project, which was officially signed off in April, is now in the design phase, with regular workshops already taking place between Disney and Miral’s development teams, he revealed.

This marks the first new Disney theme park announcement in 16 years—and its seventh globally—cementing Yas Island’s growing reputation as a world-class family entertainment hub.

The most accessible Disney Park in the world?

Strategically located between Asia, Europe, and Africa, the new Disney park is poised to become the most accessible Disney destination on the planet, with over 500 million tourists within a four- to five-hour flight radius.

It will also be less than 30 minutes from Dubai, and just minutes from Abu Dhabi’s key airports—another major draw for both local residents and international tourists.

“This will be a game-changer for regional tourism. We’re filling a massive geographic gap between the Far East and Europe,” the group CEO explained.

Disney’s decision to partner with Miral, a homegrown UAE company, is also a strong vote of confidence in the country’s infrastructure and execution capabilities.

“They were impressed with what we’ve already built—Ferrari World, SeaWorld, Warner Bros. World. It showed that we can deliver at global standards,” he said. “It’s a testament to the quality, safety, and strategic vision of Abu Dhabi.”

Miral’s ten-year master plan involves adding at least one new experience every year, expanding hotel infrastructure, and building themed zones and attractions to keep Yas Island dynamic and fresh for returning visitors.

“We are expanding Warner Bros. World, adding more hotels, and continuing to invest in family zones and indoor offerings,” the CEO said.

Miral's landbank

Commenting on whether Miral has sufficient space for further developments on Yas Island, one of the largest tourism projects in the emirate, Al Zaabi confirmed that the company has a land bank on the island.

"We are still designing and developing several attractions. I would reflect on the last 15 to 18 years; we have always been growing organically, adding attraction and rides. We’ll continue with the same effort, the same mindset, to add more attractions and experiences.”

Miral is also planning a significant expansion to the Warner Bros. World Yas Island hotel, a property managed by Hilton as well. “We announced several expansion plans during the ATM this year, and (more) announcements are coming in the pipeline.”

Miral’s growth strategy has also challenged long-held assumptions about regional travel patterns—especially the belief that summer is a dead zone for tourism.

Over the past three years, Yas Island’s attractions have seen occupancy levels of 90–98 per cent

“Summer has become just as busy. We’ve cracked that myth,” the CEO said, crediting a mix of indoor attractions, family-focused campaigns, and growing interest from key markets like Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, India, China, and Europe.

The newly opened 13,000-square-metre expansion at Yas Waterworld, featuring 20+ rides and slides, was timed deliberately for the summer marking the third time Miral has launched a major attraction in peak heat.

“Every time you come back to Yas Island, you’ll find something new,” he promised. “That’s our commitment.”

Culture, customisation, and creative campaigns

Beyond brick-and-mortar expansion, Miral has focused heavily on creating tailored experiences for diverse segments—from parent-child slides to popular ladies-only days. These decisions often come directly from visitor feedback.

“It’s not about what we want. It’s about you—our guests—and what you want. That’s how we measure success,” the CEO said. “Even our most viral marketing campaign—1.4 billion views—came from a junior intern’s idea that the team brought to life.”

This customer-first mindset also extends to how Miral selects brand ambassadors. Bollywood and Hollywood stars have helped put Yas Waterworld and Warner Bros. World on the map in India and beyond, reinforcing the island’s reputation as a cultural melting pot with global pull.

Driving economic growth

Tourism’s role in the UAE’s future GDP is clear—and Miral sees itself as a key player. Current targets include creating 178,000 new jobs in the sector and pushing tourism’s GDP contribution from $62 billion to $90 billion by 2031.

“Every new expansion means more jobs, longer visitor stays, and more local spending. That’s the ripple effect we’re focused on,” the CEO said.

Currently, Yas Island sees average visitor stays of 2.4 nights, with a goal to raise that closer to 3 nights as new attractions come online.

While he remained tight-lipped about the exact opening date for Disney Abu Dhabi, the CEO confirmed that design work is progressing rapidly, and the site is positioned for strong connectivity via the future GCC railway, the upgraded Abu Dhabi airport, and existing transit links.

“This is not just a win for Abu Dhabi. It’s a win for the UAE and for the entire region,” he said. “Having Disney next to Warner Bros., SeaWorld, and Ferrari World… that’s something no other destination in the world can offer.”