Credit: DisneyThe Walt Disney Company is making one thing very clear: it’s thinking bigger than ever.
In a major announcement tied to its long-term growth strategy, Disney, in 2025, revealed plans for a seventh global theme park resort, this time in Abu Dhabi. The project is part of the company’s sweeping multi-billion-dollar investment into its Disney Experiences division over the next decade—a move that signals just how central theme parks and cruises have become to Disney’s future.
The new destination will be built on Yas Island, a rapidly growing leisure hub already home to major attractions. Disney is partnering with regional developer Miral to bring the project to life, marking the company’s first-ever theme park presence in the Middle East.
Strategically, the location is no accident. Abu Dhabi sits at a global crossroads, within reach of millions of potential visitors across Europe, Asia, and Africa. For Disney, it’s an opportunity to tap into new audiences while reinforcing its position as the dominant force in themed entertainment worldwide.
Disney leadership, then led by Bob Iger, described it as a “groundbreaking resort destination [that] represents a new frontier in theme park development,” one that blends the company’s iconic storytelling with the culture and architecture of the UAE. The waterfront setting is expected to play a central role, offering new ways to integrate immersive experiences with the surrounding environment.
Iger emphasized that the park will be both “authentically Disney” and reflective of its regional identity, highlighting a balance between global brand recognition and local influence. The goal is to create something entirely new—an experience that stands apart from Disney’s existing resorts while still delivering the magic fans expect.
Then Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro (now CEO) also pointed to the resort as potentially the most technologically advanced destination the company has ever built, suggesting a heavy focus on interactivity and innovation. While specifics remain under wraps, that framing alone is enough to spark speculation about what the future of Disney parks could look like.
For now, details are limited. There’s no confirmed opening date, no list of attractions, and no indication of which franchises might be featured. Still, the scale of the announcement—and the investment behind it—has already sent ripples through the industry.
After escalating tensions in the Middle East, notably between the United States and Iran, questions arose around whether Disney would continue its push into the UAE. Now, we have an answer. In its fiscal 2026 Q2 earnings report, Disney confirmed it will continue with its seventh theme park resort.
“We have multiple experience expansions underway using a capital-light model, including working with established local operators to bring a new cruise ship to Japan and a theme park resort to Abu Dhabi,” Disney explained in its report. “The strategic logic of our Abu Dhabi plans is unchanged. Major new theme parks are necessarily long-term in nature, given the lead time of these projects, and this investment approach has consistently benefited our business.”
The confirmation that the Abu Dhabi expansion remains unchanged comes as Disney Experiences records another revenue increase year-on-year, with the division up 7% vs last year’s Q2. Disney partially attributed this increase to per capita spending up 5% at its domestic parks.
Disney’s decision to expand into the Middle East underscores a broader shift in its global strategy, one that prioritizes growth beyond its traditional strongholds in North America, Europe, and Asia. With billions on the table and a brand built on innovation, expectations are sky-high.
And while fans will have to wait for more concrete details, one thing is certain: Disney isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
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