The upcoming Disney theme park on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, will be the first Disney park in over 16 years. The project is being developed in collaboration with Miral, the UAE-based company behind several major attractions in the region. According to Miral CEO Dr. Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, the park will offer an experience that feels deeply rooted in Emirati culture while delivering the signature Disney charm. The park is currently in the design phase, with regular joint workshops between Disney and Miral teams.
Strategic Location for Global Access
Located between Asia, Europe, and Africa, the park is expected to be the most accessible Disney destination worldwide. Over 500 million people live within a five-hour flight, and it’s just minutes from major airports and 30 minutes from Dubai. Dr. Al Zaabi emphasized that this new attraction will fill a long-standing gap in global theme park access between Europe and the Far East.
Confidence in UAE’s Infrastructure
Disney’s decision to collaborate with Miral highlights strong confidence in the UAE’s infrastructure and operational standards. Miral has already delivered major international attractions like Ferrari World, SeaWorld, and Warner Bros. World. Dr. Al Zaabi noted this partnership as recognition of Abu Dhabi’s safety, quality, and tourism vision.
Expansion Plans to Keep Yas Island Evolving
Miral’s ten-year master plan for Yas Island includes launching at least one new experience each year. This involves expanding existing attractions like Warner Bros. World, adding more hotels, and introducing fresh indoor and family-oriented zones. The company still owns a large land bank on Yas Island, which will support future projects and developments.
Redefining Summer Tourism in the Region
Miral has successfully overturned the belief that summer is a slow season for tourism in the Middle East. Attractions on Yas Island have recorded 90% to 98% occupancy during July and August over the past three years. This success is largely due to indoor attractions and targeted campaigns. The company also strategically timed the expansion of Yas Waterworld to summer, introducing over 20 new rides and slides.
Customized Visitor Experiences
Miral focuses on tailoring experiences based on visitor feedback, offering features like ladies-only days and family-friendly activities. The approach to customization even extends to marketing, with viral campaigns and brand ambassadors from Bollywood and Hollywood helping the brand connect with global audiences. One of its most successful campaigns, which hit 1.4 billion views, came from an intern’s idea.
Driving Economic Growth Through Tourism
The UAE aims to increase tourism’s contribution to the national GDP from $62 billion to $90 billion by 2031 and create around 178,000 new jobs. Miral sees its role in this expansion by encouraging longer visitor stays and increasing local spending. The average visitor stay on Yas Island is currently 2.4 nights, with ambitions to raise this to three nights as new attractions launch.
Looking Ahead
Although no official opening date has been announced, the design phase of Disney’s Abu Dhabi park is progressing steadily. The site is well-connected through upgraded airports, transit systems, and the planned GCC railway. Dr. Al Zaabi emphasized that having Disney alongside Ferrari World, SeaWorld, and Warner Bros. World makes Yas Island a one-of-a-kind global entertainment destination.
