Disney announced plans to expand its global theme park portfolio by developing a new park in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The announcement was made on Wednesday, revealing that the park will be situated on Yas Island, a site known for its entertainment and leisure offerings.
The upcoming theme park is set to feature a blend of Disney's renowned entertainment, accommodations, dining, and retail experiences, while also embracing the cultural and futuristic elements of Abu Dhabi. Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, described the park as a "new frontier in theme park development," emphasizing its unique waterfront location that will enhance storytelling opportunities.
The project will be developed and operated by Miral, a UAE-based entertainment company, while Disney will provide creative design and operational oversight. In a statement, Disney CEO Bob Iger highlighted the significance of the location, which is strategically positioned near a substantial segment of the global population, aiming to attract families from diverse regions to experience Disney.
The Abu Dhabi park will mark Disney's seventh theme park globally, joining existing parks in Florida, California, Paris, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Tokyo. The company has stated that it will license its intellectual property for the park's operations and will receive royalties based on the project's revenue, without providing capital for its development.
In its recent quarterly earnings report, Disney's Experiences segment generated $8.89 billion in revenue, with domestic parks contributing significantly to this figure. The announcement of the Abu Dhabi park reflects Disney's ongoing commitment to expanding its entertainment offerings worldwide.