Latest news with #DisneyonIce
Tourism Breaking News
08-05-2025
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
Yas Island recorded over 38 million visits in 2024
Miral announced remarkable achievements in visitation numbers in 2024 across Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, experiencing significant growth while setting new records. Yas Island recorded over 38 million visits in 2024, a notable 10% increase compared to 2023. Achieving their highest performance since 2019, Yas Island hotels' occupancy reached 82% peaking up to 90% in August 2024; an annual 9% growth in hotel occupancy alongside a 17% increase in the average daily rate (ADR) compared to 2023. Similarly, Saadiyat Island saw a 10% visitation growth across its hotels and museums compared to 2023. Dr. Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral, said, 'These exceptional results are testament to our commitment to contributing to the achievement of Abu Dhabi's vision of becoming a leading global destination, in alignment with the Emirate's Tourism Strategy and broader ambitions for sustainable growth and economic diversification.' He added, 'through the development of world-class destinations and immersive experiences, we are not only attracting visitors from around the world but also creating joyful moments that leave a lasting impact. The continued success of Yas Island and Saadiyat Island stands as a powerful testament to the strength of our strategic partnerships and our shared dedication to elevating Abu Dhabi's global appeal.' Yas Island's theme parks and CLYMB saw an impressive 20% rise in visitation alongside an astonishing 56% increase in visitation from the GCC compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, international visits to the theme parks also saw significant growth, with a 40%, rise, led by a substantial increase from key markets, including India (+44%), China (+81%), the UK (+40%), and Russia (+29%). The destination also experienced a 10% attendance increase for its consumer events in 2024, bolstering its position as a leading destination for world-class events. This impressive growth was led by a year-round calendar of world-class concerts, performances, and family and sports events, including Diljit Dosanjh's Dil-Luminati Tour, Wireless Festival Middle East, UFC, NBA, Formula 1® Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Disney on Ice, Abu Dhabi Comedy Week, the Backstreet Boys, among many others. The year also saw the regional debuts of hit musicals, Hamilton, Life of Pi, Matilda and Chicago, contributing to Yas Island's event attendance growth. Moreover, Yas Island is rapidly growing into a key destination for corporate events and conferences, offering a unique blend of business capabilities and leisure offerings. The destination recorded a 17% increase in business events and conferences in 2024 with a 7% increase in room nights compared to 2023. As part of its efforts to further bolster this segment's growth, Miral announced the development of the Yas Island Metaverse in partnership with e& enterprise, the digital transformation arm of e&. The project leverages cutting-edge metaverse technologies to exhibit business event venues along with attractions and experiences on Yas Island in a comprehensive virtual experience. Saadiyat Island continues to attract visitors seeking an elevated blend of cultural immersion and leisure. In addition to an increase in visitation compared to the previous year, the destination achieved a remarkable 74% hotel occupancy in 2024, alongside a 14% increase in the average daily rate (ADR) compared to 2023. The destination also experienced prominent visitation growth from key markets, including a 11% growth from UK, 30% growth from India and 58% growth from China, further solidifying its position as a leading beach, nature and cultural destination.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Disney set to open its first theme park in the Middle East
Disney set to open its first theme park in the Middle East The Walt Disney Company has announced that it will open a theme park in Abu Dhabi, its first in the Middle East. The waterfront resort will be built on Yas Island in collaboration with Miral, a local leisure and entertainment company. Miral already operates SeaWorld and Warner Bros World, where a Harry Potter-themed park is in development. The new theme park will add to Disney's six fantasy resorts dotted across the globe, with locations in North America, Europe and Asia. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In recent years, Disney has increased its influence in the United Arab Emirates, with new retail stores and shows including The Lion King and Disney on Ice. The United Arab Emirates is located within a four-hour flight of one-third of the world's population, according to Disney, 'making it a significant gateway for tourism.' Pictured: Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral, His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Miral, His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, Josh D'Amaro, Chairman, Disney Experiences (Disney) 'This groundbreaking resort destination represents a new frontier in theme park development,' said Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney experiences. '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. This project will reach guests in a whole new part of the world, welcoming more families to experience Disney than ever before.' ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Disney chief executive Robert Iger said that the plans for the new park were "thrilling.' He added that the theme park will be 'authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati,' describing the new site as 'an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment at this crossroads of the world.' Disney's first theme park, Disneyland, opened in California in 1955. Its next resort opened in 1971 in Florida. The first overseas Disneyland opened up in 1983 in Tokyo, followed by Paris in 1992, Hong Kong in 2005 and Shanghai in 2016. The exact opening date of the new theme park has not been confirmed. 'We're not pinning down a date yet,' Iger said in an interview with CNBC. 'It typically takes us between 18 months and two years to design and fully develop and approximately five years to build but we're not making any commitments right now.'
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Disney plans to open a theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi
A new Disney theme park is coming to Abu Dhabi. The Walt Disney company announced Wednesday that it has reached an agreement with immersive destination and experiences company Miral to bring a park and resort to Yas Island in the United Arab Emirates. This will be Disney's seventh theme park resort and it will be fully developed and built by Miral. Disney's imagineers will lead creative design and operational oversight on the project. The entertainment giant will not be investing capital in the project, but will reap the benefits of royalties. The development in Abu Dhabi is not part of the $60 billion that Disney has pledged to invest in its theme parks over the next decade. 'This is a thrilling moment for our company as we announce plans to build an exciting Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, whose culture is rich with an appreciation of the arts and creativity,' said Disney CEO Bob Iger, in a statement. 'As our seventh theme park destination, it will rise from this land in spectacular fashion, blending contemporary architecture with cutting edge technology to offer guests deeply immersive entertainment experiences in unique and modern ways.' Iger, in an interview with CNBC's David Faber on Wednesday, said imagineers have already begun designing the park. He declined to specify when the company expects the park to open. The announcement came after Disney reported a top- and bottom-line beat for its fiscal second quarter, with its experiences business — including parks, cruises and resorts as well as consumer products — reporting 6% year-over-year revenue growth. Disney has slowly been entering the United Arab Emirates in recent years, adding retail locations and touring entertainment shows like Broadway's 'The Lion King' and 'Disney on Ice.' The company noted that around one-third of the world's population lives within a four-hour flight of the UAE and that the region has an addressable tourism market of around 500 million visitors. 'This groundbreaking resort destination represents a new frontier in theme park development,' said Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney experiences. '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. This project will reach guests in a whole new part of the world, welcoming more families to experience Disney than ever before.' Yas Island is a hub of entertainment and retail experiences. It is already home to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi as well as the Formula 1 Yas Marina Circuit. The area also hosts Abu Dhabi's largest mall and an award-winning golf course. Upon completion, the new Disney park will have themed accommodations and unique dining and retail experiences that integrate the storytelling heritage of Disney and the futuristic and cultural essence of Abu Dhabi. This article was originally published on
NBC News
07-05-2025
- Business
- NBC News
Disney plans to open a theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi
A new Disney theme park is coming to Abu Dhabi. The Walt Disney company announced Wednesday that it has reached an agreement with immersive destination and experiences company Miral to bring a park and resort to Yas Island in the United Arab Emirates. This will be Disney's seventh theme park resort and it will be fully developed and built by Miral. Disney's imagineers will lead creative design and operational oversight on the project. The entertainment giant will not be investing capital in the project, but will reap the benefits of royalties. The development in Abu Dhabi is not part of the $60 billion that Disney has pledged to invest in its theme parks over the next decade. 'This is a thrilling moment for our company as we announce plans to build an exciting Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, whose culture is rich with an appreciation of the arts and creativity,' said Disney CEO Bob Iger, in a statement. 'As our seventh theme park destination, it will rise from this land in spectacular fashion, blending contemporary architecture with cutting edge technology to offer guests deeply immersive entertainment experiences in unique and modern ways.' Iger, in an interview with CNBC's David Faber on Wednesday, said imagineers have already begun designing the park. He declined to specify when the company expects the park to open. The announcement came after Disney reported a top- and bottom-line beat for its fiscal second quarter, with its experiences business — including parks, cruises and resorts as well as consumer products — reporting 6% year-over-year revenue growth. Disney has slowly been entering the United Arab Emirates in recent years, adding retail locations and touring entertainment shows like Broadway's 'The Lion King' and 'Disney on Ice.' The company noted that around one-third of the world's population lives within a four-hour flight of the UAE and that the region has an addressable tourism market of around 500 million visitors. 'This groundbreaking resort destination represents a new frontier in theme park development,' said Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney experiences. '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. This project will reach guests in a whole new part of the world, welcoming more families to experience Disney than ever before.' Yas Island is a hub of entertainment and retail experiences. It is already home to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi as well as the Formula 1 Yas Marina Circuit. The area also hosts Abu Dhabi's largest mall and an award-winning golf course. Upon completion, the new Disney park will have themed accommodations and unique dining and retail experiences that integrate the storytelling heritage of Disney and the futuristic and cultural essence of Abu Dhabi.
CNBC
07-05-2025
- Business
- CNBC
Disney announces an Abu Dhabi theme park and resort
A rendering of Disney's new theme park on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. A new Disney theme park is coming to Abu Dhabi. The Walt Disney company announced Wednesday that it has reached an agreement with immersive destination and experiences company Miral to bring a park and resort to Yas Island in the United Arab Emirates. This will be Disney's seventh theme park resort and it will be fully developed and built by Miral. Disney's imagineers will lead creative design and operational oversight on the project. The entertainment giant will not be investing capital in the project, but will reap the benefits of royalties. The development in Abu Dhabi is not part of the $60 billion that Disney has pledged to invest in its theme parks over the next decade. "This is a thrilling moment for our company as we announce plans to build an exciting Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, whose culture is rich with an appreciation of the arts and creativity," said Disney CEO Bob Iger, in a statement. "As our seventh theme park destination, it will rise from this land in spectacular fashion, blending contemporary architecture with cutting edge technology to offer guests deeply immersive entertainment experiences in unique and modern ways." Iger, in an interview with CNBC's David Faber on Wednesday, said imagineers have already begun designing the park. He declined to specify when the company expects the park to open. The announcement came after Disney reported a top- and bottom-line beat for its fiscal second quarter, with its experiences business — including parks, cruises and resorts as well as consumer products — reporting 6% year-over-year revenue growth. Disney has slowly been entering the United Arab Emirates in recent years, adding retail locations and touring entertainment shows like Broadway's "The Lion King" and "Disney on Ice." The company noted that around one-third of the world's population lives within a four-hour flight of the UAE and that the region has an addressable tourism market of around 500 million visitors. "This groundbreaking resort destination represents a new frontier in theme park development," said Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney experiences. "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. This project will reach guests in a whole new part of the world, welcoming more families to experience Disney than ever before." Yas Island is a hub of entertainment and retail experiences. It is already home to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi as well as the Formula 1 Yas Marina Circuit. The area also hosts Abu Dhabi's largest mall and an award-winning golf course. Upon completion, the new Disney park will have themed accommodations and unique dining and retail experiences that integrate the storytelling heritage of Disney and the futuristic and cultural essence of Abu Dhabi.
