Abu Dhabi's Disney theme park to be 'Emirati in style'

AMBITIOUS YAS ISLAND PROJECT LAUNCHED IN APRIL IS NOW IN DESIGN PHASE

- BY MANJUSHA RADHAKRISHNAN Entertainment Editor DHANUSHA GOKULAN Chief Reporter

When Disney opens its long-awaited theme park in Abu Dhabi, visitors can expect more than magical rides and familiar characters — they’ll step into a destination that proudly reflects the UAE’s spirit.

“This destination will be authentically Emirati in style, but fully Disney in experience,” said Mohammad Abdalla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral Group in an interview. “We want visitors to feel the culture of the UAE while enjoying the magic of Disney.”

The ambitious project, which was launched in April, is now in the design phase, with regular workshops already taking place between Disney and Miral’s development teams, he revealed.

This marks the first new Disney theme park announcement in 16 years — and its seventh globally — cementing Yas Island’s growing reputation as a world-class family entertainment hub.

Strategically located between Asia, Europe, and Africa, the new Disney park is poised to become the most accessible Disney destination on the planet, putting over 500 million tourists within a fourto five-hour flight radius. It will also be less than 30 minutes from Dubai, and just minutes from Abu Dhabi’s key airports.

Game changer

“This will be a game-changer for regional tourism. We’re filling a massive geographic gap between the Far East and Europe,” Al Zaabi explained.