Photos Show Yas Island as Disney Announces Abu Dhabi New Theme Park
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The Walt Disney Company announced that it is expanding its global theme park empire with a resort coming to Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, blending the studio's storytelling with the culture and architecture of the Middle East.
Why It Matters
The new resort, to be developed in partnership with UAE-based leisure and entertainment company Miral, marks Disney's seventh global destination and its first in the region. The move reflects the company's broader international growth strategy and aims to attract visitors from some of the world's most populous and tourism-ready regions. According to Disney, the site lies within a four-hour flight of one-third of the planet's population, making it uniquely positioned as a future tourism hub.
The Walt Disney Company and Miral, Abu Dhabi's leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, announced an agreement to create a landmark Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The Walt Disney Company and Miral, Abu Dhabi's leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, announced an agreement to create a landmark Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The Walt Disney Company
What to Know
Yas Island, already home to attractions like Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World and Yas Waterworld, will now host a Disney resort that company leaders say will be its most technologically advanced park to date.
Aerial view of the Formula Rossa roller coaster at Ferrari World on November 27, 2023 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Aerial view of the Formula Rossa roller coaster at Ferrari World on November 27, 2023 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Photo by"This project will reach guests in a whole new part of the world, welcoming more families to experience Disney than ever before," Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, said in a statement published on the company's website.
Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, echoed the importance of the park's setting during an appearance on Good Morning America.
"The UAE and Abu Dhabi is a crossroads of the world," Iger said. "This is a hub in many respects but also, because it is located where it is, it's accessible to so many different regions, places where we typically have only scratched the surface in terms of attendance to our parks."
Iger also said the park would feature a modern castle, Disney's first of its kind.
"We haven't decided everything that will go into it, but we do know it will be anchored by a castle," he said. "It will be the first real modern castle that we built."
The Walt Disney Company and Miral, Abu Dhabi's leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, announced an agreement to create a landmark Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The Walt Disney Company and Miral, Abu Dhabi's leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, announced an agreement to create a landmark Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The Walt Disney Company
Miral will oversee construction and operation of the park, while Disney Imagineering will lead creative design and operational oversight, mirroring Disney's model with Tokyo Disney Resort.
"What we are creating with Disney in Abu Dhabi is a whole new world of imagination," said Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Miral, said in a statement.
Where Is Yas Island?
Located just 30 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi and easily accessible from Dubai, Yas Island is a man-made entertainment district known for its luxury hotels, theme parks, Formula 1 racetrack and golf courses. It has been at the heart of Abu Dhabi's tourism strategy since it opened to visitors in 2009.
The island is designed for immersive, family-friendly experiences and the infrastructure is already built to handle large volumes of international visitors.
People can also take a virtual tour of the island here.
Aerial view of Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi's Formula One racetrack on November 27, 2023 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Aerial view of Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi's Formula One racetrack on November 27, 2023 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Photo byHow Many Disney Parks Are There?
When complete, Disneyland Abu Dhabi will join six other Disney theme park resorts around the world, Disneyland Resort in California, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disney Resort.
Disney's international parks have shown steady growth in recent years. Disney's Experiences segment, which includes all its global parks, generated $2.5 billion in operating income for the most recent quarter, according to Forbes.
What People Are Saying
H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Miral, on Good Morning America: "We're going to make sure that what we build here in Abu Dhabi is going to be special and it's going to create everlasting smiles and memories for every visitor to come here."
Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, on Good Morning America: "We've decided that we want to build a very modern Disneyland. It will obviously incorporate a lot of our intellectual property and some of the typical stories that we tell in our theme parks."
Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, in a statement: "Our resort in Abu Dhabi will be the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio. The location of our park is incredibly unique – anchored by a beautiful waterfront – which will allow us to tell our stories in completely new ways."
What's Next
No opening date has been confirmed. However, Mubarak said Miral plans to bring the project to life "as fast as possible" without compromising quality.
Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Prince William Interviews Sir David Attenborough on Camera — and Things Get Deep
Prince William joins Sir David Attenborough for a candid conversation about their shared passion for ocean conservation Attenborough, 99, spotlights the beauty and fragility of marine life in his new documentary Ocean, debuting June 8 on World Oceans Day The release coincides with Prince William's upcoming trip to Monaco, where he'll speak at a major summit on protecting the world's oceansOn the eve of World Oceans Day, Prince William is stepping into the role of TV host — interviewing none other than beloved naturalist Sir David Attenborough in a new short film highlighting the beauty and fragility of the world's oceans. The five-minute conversation, released ahead of Attenborough's upcoming documentary Ocean, sees the two passionate conservationists delve into their shared fascination with the sea and their deep concern for its future. '[The damage done] to the ocean floor is unspeakably awful,' Attenborough says in the clip. 'Something must be done before we destroy this great treasure.' But like William, 42, Attenborough remains optimistic about what can be achieved through greater knowledge of the seas and how to protect them. Some of that comes with the awareness raised by his film. 'We have an entrée into people's front rooms,' he says. The veteran broadcaster, who turned 99 last month (and received birthday wishes from William), also shares lighthearted memories from his early days of underwater filming — including struggling to use an old-fashioned diving helmet — before turning to the urgent message of his new film. Ocean with David Attenborough premieres June 7 on National Geographic and begins streaming June 8 on Hulu and Disney+, coinciding with World Oceans Day. William will also mark the occasion by speaking at a high-level conference on ocean preservation in Monaco. The release of William and Attenborough's conversation follows a new installment in the Prince of Wales' Guardians docuseries on BBC Earth's YouTube channel. The latest episode spotlights Captain José Luis Cesena Calderon, a former illegal fisherman turned conservationist who now protects Mexico's Sea of Cortez from poachers targeting vulnerable species like parrotfish, lobster and octopus. Both projects are part of a growing push by William, 42, to spotlight individuals and communities making a real difference for the planet. It's also central to his environmental legacy project, the Earthshot Prize — where Attenborough sits on the council. One of the Prize's five categories, Revive Our Oceans, has helped fund and scale efforts that have restored over 20,000 square kilometers of marine ecosystems and saved or recycled 2.5 million tonnes of water since 2021, William's office at Kensington Palace says. Their partnership is personal, too. William and Attenborough, who also was close to the prince's grandmother Queen Elizabeth, share a warm bond that stretches back years — including a memorable moment in 2020 when Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, interviewed Attenborough in a charming video from Kensington Palace. The young royals grilled the nature icon with questions like, 'What animal do you think will go extinct next?' Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! In a statement to PEOPLE, Attenborough reflected on the magnitude of what we still don't know — and what's at stake. "My lifetime has coincided with the great age of ocean discovery," he said. "Over the last hundred years, scientists and explorers have revealed remarkable new species, epic migrations, and dazzling, complex ecosystems beyond anything I could have imagined as a young man.' 'In this film, we share some of those wonderful discoveries, uncover why our ocean is in such poor health, and, perhaps most importantly, show how it can be restored to health," he added. Ocean with David Attenborough premieres June 7 on National Geographic and will be available to stream on Hulu on Disney+ on June 8, World Ocean Day. Read the original article on People
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
‘Disgusted' Disney World fans fume that execs are ‘wiping out' park's original spirit as Rivers of America attraction closes down: ‘Canceling my trip'
They're sad about the happiest place on Earth. Disney World fans are fuming after the theme park announced the closure of three of its most iconic attractions: Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat. The beloved destinations are set to shutter on July 7 to make way for Piston Peak National Park— a new attraction based on the Disney and Pixar 'Cars' universe. 3 The riverboat Liberty Belle sailing on the Rivers of America passes Tom Sawyer Island at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. TNS 3 Disney World, which has been in operation since 1971, is pictured. AP 'Imagine an awe-inspiring wilderness filled with towering trees, snowcapped mountains, breathtaking waterfalls, roaring rivers and impressive geysers,' the Disney Parks Blog enthused in a post promoting Piston Peak. 'While fictional, Piston Peak is inspired by the Rocky Mountain area and the history and iconic sights of the American Frontier and its national parks.' However, many Disney World visitors are dismayed that the new park will be constructed ot the expense of the other three attractions — all of which have been open to the public for decades. 'Canceling my trip in October and sadly, will never visit that park again,' one mourned. 'I am heartbroken at the loss of Tom Sawyer Island,' a Disney detractor declared on X. 'This is the WORST decision ever.' 'Walt's Rivers of America transports you to something ideal in American values of exploration, adventure, history, and scenery. A true park within a park,' an additional fan fawned. 'This is a HUGE mistake from Disney. Cartoon Cars will never last the test of time.' 3 However, other Disney lovers were far more upbeat about the upcoming changes, saying plans for Piston Peak appeared promising. A drawing of the future attraction is pictured. Wandering In Disney: A Disney Theme Parks Blog 'More wiping out of the Walt Disney era,' another spluttered. 'I'm disgusted with current leadership of Disney Corp. I'm done with them. Still love classic Disney, but I've lost all interest in anything about current 'Disney' (parks , movies, streaming). They are not part of my world anymore.' However, other Disney lovers were far more upbeat about the upcoming changes, saying plans for Piston Peak appeared promising. 'I showed this to my 10-year-old and he SQUEALED with joy and shouted 'PISTON PEAK?!' I'm thrilled that new generations are getting spaces in the parks that speak to them. Almost forgot this is the whole point,' one Disney defender posted on X in light of the news. 'Thanks for your insight,' one reader responded. 'I'm so tired of the negativity around this upgrade of the space. 'I like that they're incorporating the river & adding new water features to keep the same vibe,' another wrote on Facebook DW News Today shared the news.
Elle
2 hours ago
- Elle
Meghan Markle Shares Pics of Archie and Lilibet Experiencing 'Pure Joy' at Disneyland
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle appeared to enjoy Disneyland almost as much as their kids, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, in a Reel posted to Instagram by the Duchess of Sussex on Friday. 'Thank you @disneyland for giving our family two days of pure joy!' Meghan wrote in the caption of the adorable montage of the family's adventures. The whole group was at the amusement park for Lilibet's fourth birthday. Playing to Peggy Lee's song 'It's A Good Day,' the first clip showed a nervous Lilibet holding her mom's hand as she approached her hero, Elsa from Frozen. Lili was also gifted a Little Mermaid-themed birthday cake reading 'Happy Birthday Lili,' making it a day of Disney princesses for the royal one. The group could then be seen on various rides, including Tiana's Bayou Adventure, Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters, Space Mountain, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and the King Arthur Carousel. Meghan shared a clip of just herself and Harry on the more demanding Rise of the Resistance, laughing and screaming together as they came down on the roller coaster. In a group shot, Meghan covered her kids' faces, but showed off her Minnie Mouse ears. Harry was kneeling by the two children and has his arm around Archie. Lili is barefoot and wearing a white dress covered in a colorful graphic bow pattern. Before the Disney party, Meghan celebrated Lili's fourth birthday with never-before-seen footage from the delivery room taken just ahead of her daughter's birth. In the clips, she and Harry are dancing together to help induce labor, because both Lili and Archie arrived past their due dates. 'Four years ago today, this also happened,' she wrote in the caption. 'Both of our children were a week past their due dates. So when spicy food, all that walking, and acupuncture didn't work—there was only one thing left to do! 😂.'
