Disney's newest resort will bring the Magic Kingdom to Abu Dhabi

Disney Sets Its Sights on the Middle East with First New Park in 15 Years

For the first time in over a decade, Disney is venturing into fresh territory — and this time, it's heading straight for Abu Dhabi. The entertainment titan has revealed plans for an all-new resort complex, marking its debut in the Middle Eastern market.

Dubbed Disneyland Abu Dhabi, this destination will become the seventh jewel in Disney’s crown of global resorts, the announcement following closely on the heels of their robust second-quarter financial results.

Theme parks have long been Disney's cash cow, generating nearly 60% of its operating profit in 2024, even as the streaming wars squeeze margins elsewhere. While U.S. park visits saw a slight dip last year, attendance is now bouncing back stateside, with international parks driving significant gains — though China remains a weak spot amid ongoing trade disputes, causing drops in visitor numbers in Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Abu Dhabi-based Miral will handle the heavy lifting — financing, construction, and daily operations — while Disney’s own creative powerhouse, the Imagineers, will steer the design and experience. Slated for a possible early 2030s launch, the development will kick off with one main park and a cluster of hotels, though exact numbers remain under wraps.

“We never just copy and paste a park into a new place,” Disney Experiences chairman Josh D’Amaro explained during an exclusive CNN interview in Abu Dhabi. “We want every destination to feel authentic to its surroundings — and Abu Dhabi will be no different.”

The Magic Carpet Ride to the Gulf

Positioned as a strategic travel hub, Abu Dhabi and Dubai aim to connect a third of the planet’s population within a four-hour flight — including the 1.4 billion people in India, for whom Abu Dhabi could be a closer Disney getaway than Shanghai or Hong Kong.

D’Amaro estimates that some 500 million potential visitors reside within easy reach of the UAE, making it a prime spot for Disney's expansion. “When we looked at where our seventh resort should be, it was obvious,” he said.

Yas Island, already home to attractions like SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World, and Yas Waterworld, will host the new Disney resort. Located just 20 minutes from central Abu Dhabi and under an hour from Dubai, the island is a growing entertainment magnet with shopping, dining (165 restaurants and counting), golf, and a waterfront marina.

Disney blogger Tom Bricker believes this project will be transformative. “With the creative freedom they have here, this could surpass even Shanghai Disneyland. This kind of blank slate opportunity is a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”

Still, the region’s history with theme parks has been mixed. Dennis Speigel, a seasoned theme park consultant, recalls that earlier projects in Dubai were “overbuilt and struggled financially for years.” But he sees Disney’s move as calculated: “They’ve picked the sweet spot. Abu Dhabi’s existing leisure infrastructure gives Disney a solid foundation.”

A Glimpse Into Tomorrow

Disney promises that the Abu Dhabi park will push the envelope in technology, aligning with the city's futuristic vibe. Concept art teases a towering, spiral-like crystal structure — a fresh twist on the classic Disney castle and unlike anything in their global portfolio.

This park will also be Disney’s first situated directly on the waterfront, offering visitors a unique seaside experience. And Disney plans to weave its latest tech investments into the park. Using tools like Unreal Engine, which powers both their films and games, they aim to deliver cutting-edge, immersive attractions where storytelling jumps off the screen and into real life.

“We see huge potential here,” D’Amaro said. “We’re bringing together film, gaming, and theme parks like never before.”

Theme Park Turf Wars Heat Up

This announcement comes at a competitive moment. Universal just confirmed plans for its own seventh resort in the UK and is about to debut Epic Universe in Orlando, its biggest U.S. park expansion in over two decades.

But Disney’s leaders aren’t worried. D’Amaro dismissed concerns about competition in Florida, saying new attractions only grow the tourist pie. “People don’t come to Central Florida and skip Star Wars — we’re going to win from the increased traffic.”

Talks about a park in Abu Dhabi have been quietly ongoing for nearly 10 years, D’Amaro revealed. In 2023, Disney parks worldwide hosted over 140 million guests, topping the charts as the most visited theme park brand. That includes Magic Kingdom and Disneyland California, each drawing over 17 million annual visitors.

While domestic park attendance dipped last year amid price hikes and a cautious U.S. economy, global parks kept surging — and Disney believes international growth will help balance out economic swings at home. “Even when people cut back, a Disney park visit remains something special,” CEO Bob Iger told CNBC.

On rumors about a potential fifth park in Florida, D’Amaro hinted at major expansions within Disney World's existing parks but stayed mum on any entirely new U.S. projects.

Streaming Surges, Earnings Climb

Beyond parks, Disney's streaming empire continues to flex its muscles. Buoyed by Disney+ and Hulu, the company posted $23.6 billion in revenue for the quarter — up 7% year over year — and $4.4 billion in operating income, a 15% jump.

Disney+ reversed earlier subscriber losses, adding 1.4 million in Q2 to hit 126 million total, while Hulu gained 1.3 million new users. Sports also lifted the bottom line, despite higher costs from expanded football programming. Domestic ad revenue soared 29%, thanks in part to extra NFL and college football games.

Looking ahead, Disney projects steady growth but remains mindful of economic uncertainties. “We’re keeping a close eye on the macro landscape,” the company noted in its earnings call.