Disney Announces New Theme Park in Abu Dhabi, Its First Resort in a Generation

For the first time in 15 years, The Walt Disney Company has announced the development of a new theme park – Disneyland Abu Dhabi, marking its first resort venture in the Middle East.

In a highly anticipated announcement, Disney revealed plans to create a new resort in Abu Dhabi, which will become its seventh global resort destination. The announcement came shortly after Disney reported impressive earnings for the second quarter of 2024, with its parks generating 59% of the company’s operating income. While domestic park attendance faced modest declines last year, international resorts have seen more growth, particularly in guest spending and attendance.

Disney’s Bold Move to Abu Dhabi

Located on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, the Disneyland Abu Dhabi resort will feature one theme park and an undisclosed number of hotels. Miral, a leading Abu Dhabi company, will spearhead the development, with Disney Imagineers overseeing the creative design and operations. The new resort is expected to open in the early 2030s.

Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, emphasized that the park will be tailored specifically to Abu Dhabi’s unique cultural and aesthetic needs. He said, “It’s really important not just to take a theme park from elsewhere and transplant it, but to make it feel like it belongs here, with a design and atmosphere that resonate with this region.”

Strategic Location

The location of Yas Island was a significant factor in Disney’s decision. As a major leisure hub, Yas Island is home to existing theme parks like SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and Warner Bros. World. With its proximity to both Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports, Disney sees an opportunity to draw visitors from a massive population within a 4-hour flight radius, including the 1.4 billion people living in India.

D’Amaro stated, “There was no question that for our seventh resort, this is where it was going to be.” The island is well-connected, with a range of hotels, golf courses, and retail spaces, making it an ideal location for Disney’s first Middle Eastern theme park.

New Technological Marvel

Disney has promised that the new Abu Dhabi park will be the most technologically advanced of all its resorts, with a futuristic design to match the city’s ambitions. Unlike other Disney parks, the resort’s iconic castle will not follow the traditional fairytale style but will feature a stunning crystal-like structure, emphasizing the park’s forward-thinking aesthetics.

Disney plans to incorporate immersive gaming technology, such as Unreal Engine, which has been used in many of its films, into the attractions. D’Amaro highlighted the potential for real-time integration of stories from films and games into the park, providing a unique experience for visitors.

Challenges and Opportunities

While Disney’s Abu Dhabi venture has a lot of potential, experts caution that the Middle East region has seen mixed results with previous leisure developments. Dennis Speigel, founder of International Theme Park Services, noted that some parks in Dubai and Saudi Arabia have struggled to turn a profit. However, he also acknowledged that the established leisure infrastructure on Yas Island gives Disney a strong foundation for success.

Tom Bricker, co-founder of DisneyTouristBlog.com, believes the new park could be a game-changer for Disney fans, saying, “The combination of constraints and a blank canvas should be really exciting for Disney fans, surpassing even Shanghai Disneyland.”

The Global Park Landscape

The announcement of Disneyland Abu Dhabi comes at a time of intense competition in the theme park industry. Universal recently revealed plans for its seventh resort in the United Kingdom, while its Epic Universe park in Florida is set to open soon. Despite this competition, D’Amaro remains confident, stating that new attractions in Central Florida will only increase tourism in the region, benefiting Disney’s existing parks.

Financial Outlook

Disney’s parks remain a key financial driver, and the company’s global parks welcomed more than 140 million visitors in 2023, the most of any amusement or theme park operator. With this expansion into the Middle East, Disney hopes to continue growing its international portfolio and capitalize on the growing demand for leisure experiences in the region.

Financial Performance

In addition to the new theme park announcement, Disney reported a 7% year-over-year increase in revenue, reaching $23.6 billion, driven by the strength of its parks and streaming businesses. The company also saw significant growth in its direct-to-consumer operations, adding 1.4 million Disney+ subscribers in the second quarter.

As Disney ventures into the Middle East, it remains cautiously optimistic about global economic uncertainties but is confident that the Disneyland Abu Dhabi project will continue its legacy of creating magical experiences for families worldwide.