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Disneyland Abu Dhabi: Castle with Emirati flair? Likely opening date, how park will look explained
The concept for this resort will push the boundaries of theme park design, showcasing groundbreaking technology and visionary architecture
- PUBLISHED: Thu 8 May 2025, 1:59 PM
Walt Disney is set to open the Middle East’s first Disneyland on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The announcement was made on Wednesday; Disney will work with Abu-Dhabi based Miral Group, which will build and operate the park.
The project, branded as 'Disneyland Abu Dhabi', marks the first Disney theme park in the Middle East and Disney’s seventh globally, following its parks in California, Florida, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong and Shanghai. This will be Disney’s 13th park and resort, with the last one opening in Shanghai, China in 2016. Although still in its early stages, here is what we know about the iconic Disney Park that will be built in the UAE.
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When will Disneyland Abu Dhabi open?
Perhaps the most pressing question is when we will see the opening of the iconic Disney theme park. Although no opening date has been confirmed, Bloomberg reported that the chairman of Disney Parks, John D’Amaro, said the designing stage will take around two years, while the actual construction can take around five to six years. Currently, Disney is in the process of designing the resort, and if all falls into plan, we could see a Disneyland in the UAE by 2032 or 2033.
Where is it coming up?
The new park will be erected alongside the country’s biggest attractions at Yas Island Waterfront. With the opening of Disneyland Abu Dhabi, the number of attractions will total five, with the others being Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld.
A modern castle?
Moreover, D’Amaro mentioned that Disneyland Abu Dhabi will host a “modern castle unlike anything we’ve ever created”. Traditionally, Disneyland castles draw upon European-style castles, like the Cinderella Castle, which has influences from the Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria. Though D’Amaro did not reveal many details about the Abu Dhabi-based castle, he said that the concept for this resort will push the boundaries of theme park design, showcasing groundbreaking technology and visionary architecture, which include a “modern castle.”
How will it look like?
Although the park is still in its designing phase, we do know that the park will be “distinctly Emirati” while also keeping the Disney flavour intact, the Disney CEO said.
Bob Iger, CEO of Walt Disney Company, said on Wednesday that the park will blend “the beloved Disney stories and characters with the cultures and tastes of this country and region.”
In 2016, when Disney opened its Chinese division, the Shanghai Disney Resort blended the host country’s rich cultural heritage while still staying true to Disney’s originality.
For example, right outside the main entrance to the resort, the ‘Wishing Star Park’ draws inspiration from China’s landscape, specifically China’s Yangtze River Delta. Disney also chose to omit certain attractions in China due to cultural sensitivities, like the ‘Haunted Mansion’ which can be seen as inappropriate and taboo.
Who will design and operate the park?
Miral, which is an Abu Dhabi-based leisure and entertainment group, will be working alongside Disney to design the region’s first Disneyland
The new resort will be fully developed and built by Miral. Disney will lead creative design, attraction development and operational oversight to provide a world-class guest experience.
Upon completion, Miral will also operate this recreational destination, drawing on its extensive experience in developing and managing some of the leading family entertainment destinations on Yas Island and in Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with prominent American and European brands.
Hind Aldah is a business reporter based in Sharjah. In her spare time, you will find her playing classical guitar, painting amateur oil paintings, or crocheting the same old scarf that leads nowhere.