Speculation around a possible Disneyland in Abu Dhabi is gaining attention after Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, shared photos from the UAE capital on Instagram.
Iger posted images taken in Abu Dhabi with a caption that hinted at “exciting possibilities ahead.” While no direct announcement was made, the post quickly sparked discussion within the global travel and theme park industry about whether Disney could be exploring a major project in the region.
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The Instagram post showed Iger visiting key locations in Abu Dhabi, a city already known for hosting large scale global attractions. Industry observers noted that Disney executives rarely share travel posts without purpose, especially in markets where the company has long term strategic interest.
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“As our seventh theme park destination, it will rise from this land in spectacular fashion, blending contemporary architecture with cutting-edge technology to offer guests deeply immersive entertainment experiences in unique and modern ways.”
– Robert A. Iger, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company
Disney’s Abu Dhabi Theme Park: Confirmed, But Still Taking Shape
In May 2025, The Walt Disney Company officially announced plans to develop a Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, marking the company’s first confirmed theme park project in the Middle East.
The announcement was published through Disney’s official channels, including the Disney Parks Blog, and confirmed a partnership with Miral, the Abu Dhabi-based developer behind Yas Island’s major entertainment destinations. According to Disney, the project is planned for Yas Island, already home to several global theme parks and attractions.
Disney stated that the Abu Dhabi resort would follow its established model for international parks, with Miral leading development and operations, while Disney provides creative oversight, intellectual property, and brand direction. At the time of the announcement, Disney did not release a construction timeline, opening date, or details on job creation.
This official confirmation explains why Abu Dhabi continues to surface in discussions around Disney’s global expansion. While many details remain undisclosed, the project itself is no longer speculative. What remains unclear is how fast development will move and when the next concrete milestones will be announced.
Why Abu Dhabi keeps coming up
Abu Dhabi has positioned itself as a hub for international entertainment and tourism. Developments such as theme parks, museums, and cultural districts have attracted global brands over the past decade. This makes the city a natural candidate whenever major entertainment companies explore regional expansion.
For Disney, which already operates parks in the US, Europe, and Asia, the Middle East remains an untapped market with strong tourism growth and infrastructure investment.