Already a hotspot with Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, and SeaWorld, Yas Island is set to become an enchanted, all-ages wonderland as the new Disney Park hopes to thrill with tech-driven magic.
What happens when the world’s most enchanting brand meets one of the fastest-growing entertainment destinations in the Middle East?
Abu Dhabi is about to reveal the answer, as a Disney theme park prepares to bring all-ages adventure, immersive magic, and cutting-edge tech to Yas Island.
Unlike typical franchise models, the upcoming Disney Park will be fully financed, developed, and operated by Abu Dhabi’s immersive destination leader, Miral, with Disney providing its creative vision and global expertise. This unique collaboration promises a world-class experience infused with local cultural flair, brought to life through groundbreaking design and a reimagined, next-generation castle.
“Bringing a Disney theme park resort to Yas Island marks a historic milestone in our journey to further advance the island’s position as a global destination for exceptional entertainment and leisure,” said Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO, Miral at the announcement of the project earlier this month. “Together, we are creating a place of boundless innovation, where the vision of our leadership continues to inspire the world.”
The new park, Disney’s 7th global destination, marks a major step in Abu Dhabi’s plan to diversify its economy and become a top tourism hub, leveraging the powerful ripple effect of the “Disney magic” across multiple industries.
“Our resort in Abu Dhabi will be the most advanced and interactive destination in our entire portfolio” says Josh D’Amaro, the Chairman of Disney Experiences.
“This park will be unlike anything we’ve created, featuring dynamic storytelling and employing new technology — constantly evolving with new ideas and new experiences. Disney will lead creative design, attraction development and operational oversight to provide a world-class guest experience”, he adds.
Yas Island has become synonymous with all-ages adventure. Already home to thrill-centric destinations like Warner Bros. World, SeaWorld, Ferrari World, and CLYMB Abu Dhabi, it attracted over 38 million visitors in 2024. The new Disney Park promises to add an extra layer of whimsical wonder—filling the space between nostalgic joy and next-gen entertainment.
With hotel occupancy rates already averaging 82%, Yas Island is on a hospitality upswing. The Disney Park is expected to turbocharge demand for everything from luxury resorts to family-friendly serviced apartments—including the possibility of Disney-themed hotels.
In Q1 2025 alone, Abu Dhabi’s hotel sector generated AED 2.3 billion, marking an 18% year-on-year increase. Brands like Rotana, Emaar, and Jumeirah are poised to benefit from the increased flow of cheerful, high-spending tourists, as are restaurants, local eateries, and retail hubs that thrive on vibrant footfall and playful energy.
The entertainment boom isn’t just about theme parks—it’s supercharging Abu Dhabi’s global sports scene. Yas Island’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix already draws international spectators. The Disney Park will bring in a broader tourist base, increasing attendance at everything from Formula 1 races to community sports events.
New infrastructure—like a proposed driverless tram—will support both sporting venues and tourist hotspots, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s status as a dynamic destination for both high-octane sports and family bonding experiences.
Behind the scenes, the magic is also digital. Disney’s emphasis on AI, real-time gaming engines, and robotics for its Abu Dhabi Park is expected to ignite the local gaming sector. Initiatives like Abu Dhabi Gaming and startups like Kashkool Games stand to benefit from tech transfer, new IP collaboration, and rising demand for fantastical, immersive digital content.
This could lead to a flourishing creative ecosystem, where animators, designers, and interactive storytellers take centre stage.
Abu Dhabi’s pivot to large-scale entertainment is part of a purposeful shift from oil dependency to a knowledge- and experience-based economy. With its Tourism Strategy 2030, the emirate is targeting nearly 40 million annual visitors and 178,000 tourism-related jobs. The Disney Park will play a pivotal role in reaching those goals.
The surrounding real estate market is also poised to soar. Analysts expect property values on Yas Island to rise by 30–50% within five years, driven by new infrastructure, increased demand, and the allure of living near the theme park.
