Disney and Miral join forces to develop the Middle East’s first Disney theme park on Yas Island—an ambitious project blending entertainment, innovation, and large-scale construction.
In a groundbreaking development for the global construction and entertainment industries, The Walt Disney Company announces a strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi-based developer Miral to build the first-ever Disney theme park resort in the Middle East.
The large-scale project will take shape on Yas Island, a flagship destination known for its world-class infrastructure and integrated leisure offerings.
This ambitious development will be Disney’s seventh global theme park resort and the first to bring the entertainment giant’s iconic storytelling to the Arab world. Strategically positioned on the UAE’s Yas Island, the resort will integrate Disney’s signature design language with Abu Dhabi’s architectural vision, modern urban planning, and cultural identity.
“Abu Dhabi is a place where heritage meets innovation, where we preserve our past while designing the future,” says Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Miral. “Our partnership with Disney showcases the power of combining visionary leadership with creative excellence. What we are building is more than a destination—it’s a new world of imagination designed to inspire future generations.”
Miral will lead the construction and development of the project, drawing on its successful portfolio of family entertainment destinations developed in collaboration with global brands. Disney will provide creative oversight through its world-renowned Imagineering team, ensuring the guest experience reflects Disney’s immersive standards while integrating regional themes and design elements.
“This is a thrilling moment for Disney,” says Bob Iger, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company. “Abu Dhabi offers a unique opportunity to fuse architectural sophistication with technological innovation. Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney, distinctly Emirati, and built with a modern vision that resonates with global audiences.”
The project will leverage Yas Island’s robust infrastructure and waterfront setting to create a fully integrated resort, featuring themed accommodations, bespoke dining and retail districts, and immersive storytelling environments. For designers and contractors, the resort presents a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of cultural identity, global branding, and next-generation entertainment technology.
“Our Abu Dhabi resort will be the most advanced and interactive destination in the Disney portfolio,” adds Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences. “The location is stunning and allows for entirely new approaches to design and guest engagement. It’s a celebration of what happens when creative storytelling meets construction innovation.”
Abu Dhabi’s strategic location places it within a four-hour flight of one-third of the global population, with its air and land connectivity supporting more than 120 million passengers annually. This accessibility makes the project a cornerstone of the UAE’s long-term vision to grow its tourism economy and infrastructure base.
“Bringing a Disney resort to Yas Island marks a historic moment for us,” says Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral. “We are creating a globally significant development that reflects Abu Dhabi’s ambition and strengthens its economic and cultural infrastructure.”
Construction of the resort is expected to catalyze growth across sectors—engineering, transportation, hospitality, and real estate—while reinforcing Yas Island’s reputation as a benchmark for mixed-use entertainment and tourism development in the region.
Once completed, Disneyland Abu Dhabi will stand as a testament to cross-sector collaboration, combining American storytelling with Emirati innovation and offering a blueprint for future mega-developments that prioritize both cultural context and world-class execution.