Disney’s Bold Leap: A Gamified Wonderland Rises in Abu Dhabi

The Walt Disney Company has announced a landmark partnership with Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations, to bring a world-class Disney theme park and resort to Yas Island, marking the entertainment giant’s first foray into the Middle East. 

This ambitious project is not just another addition to Disney’s global portfolio but a strategic leap into an emerging market, blending Disney’s iconic storytelling with the UAE’s vibrant culture and cutting-edge technology.

Set on the waterfront of Yas Island, already renowned for attractions like Ferrari World and Warner Bros. World, the new Disney resort will be the seventh Disney theme park destination worldwide. The collaboration is unique: Miral will finance, develop, and operate the park, while Disney’s legendary Imagineers will oversee creative design and operational standards, ensuring an experience that is “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati."

Abu Dhabi’s leadership sees this as a testament to the emirate’s position as a global tourism and entertainment hub.

Formula Rossa at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

What truly sets Disneyland Abu Dhabi apart is its commitment to gamification and immersive technology. Both Disney and Miral have emphasized the integration of advanced tech, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence to make the park a next-generation entertainment destination.

Disney’s $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games in 2024 is a cornerstone of this strategy. Josh D’Amaro, President of Disney Experiences, highlighted how the next generation of fans will be gathering in digital spaces like Fortnite. The plan is to bridge physical and digital worlds, enabling experiences that translate seamlessly between the theme park and online platforms - “phygital” playground where guests can continue their adventures long after leaving Yas Island.

Disneyland Abu Dhabi will not simply replicate existing attractions. Instead, it promises a blend of classic Disney magic and new experiences tailored to the UAE’s rich heritage and landscape. Expect immersive rides inspired by “Aladdin,” reflecting the region’s folklore, as well as Marvel’s “Moon Knight” and Star Wars’ Tatooine characters and settings that resonate with local and global audiences alike.

Dining and retail will also reflect this fusion, offering both Disney favorites and Emirati culinary delights, ensuring guests experience the best of both worlds.

Positioned at the crossroads of the Middle East, Africa, India, and Europe, Abu Dhabi’s Disney resort is poised to become a major draw for millions of tourists. For many families, visiting existing Disney parks in the U.S., Europe, or Asia is costly and time-consuming. This new location makes the Disney experience more accessible to a vast, underserved market.

Disneyland Abu Dhabi is more than a theme park; it’s a blueprint for the future of entertainment. By fusing gamification, technology, and cultural authenticity, Disney and Miral are setting a new standard for how stories are told and experienced.

As Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, put it: