Disney's Newest Castle Will Incorporate First of Its Kind Element!

When Walt Disney opened Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, on July 17, 1955, he created what would become one of the most iconic theme parks of all time. Since that day 70 years ago, Disney theme parks have expanded, and there are now six incredible resorts around the globe — Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disney, Hong Kong Disneyland, and the Shanghai Disney Resort.

One of the most stunning features at each Disney resort is the magical castle created to represent that resort. Disneyland Resort has Sleeping Beauty Castle, Disney World has Cinderella Castle, Tokyo Disney has an even bigger version of Cinderella Castle, Disneyland Paris has its own fairy-tale like Sleeping Beauty Castle, which is radically different from any other Disney Castle.

Hong Kong Disneyland has the Castle of Magical Dreams, and Shanghai Disney has the Enchanted Storybook Castle.

Fireworks around Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Paris at nighttime — Credit: Disney

On May 7, 2025, Disney shocked fans by announcing that it would be building a seventh Disney resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Like Tokyo Disney, Disneyland Abu Dhabi will not be owned by Disney. Instead, it will be owned, operated, and funded by the Miral Group, but designed by Disney and its talented Imagineers.

Disney has not revealed too many details on the new theme park, but we do know that it will be Disney’s first indoor theme park located on Yas Island. We also know that the new resort will incorporate iconic Disney characters, some classic Disney attractions, and a ton of modern technology to create a Disney resort different from anything fans have seen before.

Concept art for Disney Abu Dhabi — Credit: Disney

Now, one Imagineer has revealed that the castle being built in Abu Dhabi could have something no other Disney theme park castle has: water features. Yes, current Disney castles have things like fountains and moats surrounding them, but the Abu Dhabi castle will take water to the next level.

In a new episode of We Call It Imagineering, Disney Imagineer Zach Ridley revealed that, because Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be located on the water, it gives them a wonderful opportunity to include water features in the castle design.

“We’re going to create a castle park here, a park that’s based on our Magic Kingdom-style of storytelling.

“Abu Dhabi is a city on the water, and so we’re really excited about being able to incorporate water for the first time in the design of one of our castles.”

Earlier this year, Disney CEO Bob Iger also mentioned in passing that the new Abu Dhabi castle could have features not seen in any other castle, due to the theme park’s island location.

“You start thinking about what is possible, actually envisioning a castle rising up in this case from the sand and also being on the water.”

Construction has not yet started on Disneyland Abu Dhabi, as the new resort is still in the development stages. Disney anticipates that the new Abu Dhabi park will open sometime between 2030 and 2032.

However, the new theme park location is not without its challenges. Many fans were upset that Disney chose to build a theme park in an area known for its human rights violations, as well as a place where homosexuality and being transgender are illegal.

Are you excited to hear that Disney will incorporate water features into its new castle in Abu Dhabi? How do you feel about Disney building a theme park in the Middle East? Where do you think Disney’s next resort should be located? Share all your thoughts with us in the comments!