Disney has announced plans for a new theme park resort in Abu Dhabi. The company’s 7th theme park resort destination will be located on the waterfront of Yas Island in the United Arab Emirates.
Referred to a Disneyland Abu Dhabi, the resort will be built, owned and operated by Miral Group, an Abu Dhabi-based destination and experiences company.
Miral is funding the entire project, so Disney will not be investing any of its capital. Instead, the company will license the use of its intellectual property and receive royalties.
Disney Imagineers will, however, lead the creative design and operational oversight on the project.
“Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati—an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment at this crossroads of the world that will bring to life our timeless characters and stories in many new ways and will become a source of joy and inspiration for the pope of this vast region to enjoy for generations to come,” Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a statement.
Disney says Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be its most advanced and interactive destination. The location will also allow Disney to tap into another big tourist hub. More than 120 million passengers travel through Abu Dhabi and Dubai each year.
“This project will reach guests in a whole new part of the world, welcoming more families to experience Disney than ever before,” Disney Experiences chairman Josh D’Amaro said in a statement. “Ultimately, it will be a celebration of what’s possible when creativity and progress come together.”
Yas Island is already home to other theme parks and attractions, including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi.
The announcement of the Abu Dhabi resort came as Disney report its second quarter earnings Wednesday. The company’s experiences business—which includes its parks, resorts and cruise line—reported $2.5 billion in operating income, a 9% increase from the previous year.
