Disney has been weaving dreams into reality for seven decades, turning childhood wonder into unforgettable experiences. From the moment you glimpse the familiar silhouette of Cinderella’s Castle or hear the first notes of “It’s a Small World,” you know you’re stepping into a world built on imagination. Now, for the first time in the Middle East, Disney is bringing that signature magic to Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, inviting visitors to explore their favorite stories in a brand‑new setting.
Before going into the details of the upcoming theme park, let’s take a look back at Disney’s journey through the decades.
It all began on July 17, 1955, when Disneyland opened its gates in Anaheim. Walt Disney’s “park of tomorrow” introduced guests to themed lands—Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland—each meticulously designed to tell a different chapter of the Disney story. Sixteen years later, on October 1, 1971, Walt Disney World debuted in Orlando, sprawling across 25,000 acres and featuring the Magic Kingdom alongside water parks and resorts; it would grow to include EPCOT Center in 1982, Disney-MGM Studios (now Hollywood Studios) in 1989, and Animal Kingdom in 1998, cementing Florida as a multi‑park destination.
Crossing the Pacific in 1983, Tokyo Disneyland was the first international outpost, adapting Disney’s classic attractions for Japanese audiences and drawing more than 30 million visitors in its first five years. It set a template for blending Disney storytelling with local tastes. In Europe, Disneyland Paris opened in April 1992—originally pitched as “Euro Disney”—bringing Sleeping Beauty’s Castle to the French countryside and adding Walt Disney Studios Park in 2002. Hong Kong Disneyland followed in September 2005, launching on Lantau Island with subtle nods to Chinese culture woven into its attractions. The most recent arrival was Shanghai Disney Resort in June 2016, where Disney’s icons meet Shanghai’s skyline, and a Pirates of the Caribbean ride features Mandarin-speaking Jack Sparrow.
Across these six parks, Disney has not only exported its characters but also refined the art of immersive entertainment, combining state‑of‑the‑art technology with regional design, from Cinderella Castle’s European revival to the futuristic spires of Tomorrowland.
Now, The Walt Disney Company and Miral have announced plans for the seventh Disney destination, a theme park and resort on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. This collaboration brings together Disney’s legendary Imagineers—responsible for the creative vision—and Miral’s expertise in building and operating world‑class leisure destinations.
Sitting on a waterfront site just 20 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi and 50 minutes from Dubai, the resort taps into the UAE’s status as the planet’s busiest airline hub, with 120 million passengers passing through Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports each year. A four‑hour flight radius reaches one‑third of the world’s population.
When it opens, Disneyland Abu Dhabi will feature signature attractions, themed hotels, bespoke dining, and retail, all designed to celebrate Disney’s heritage alongside the forward‑looking vision of Abu Dhabi.
ALSO READ: THE COOL GIRL-APPROVED SUMMER BRANDS THAT NEED TO BE ON YOUR RADAR.
