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Disney to open theme park in Abu Dhabi

By Valentina Pasquali
An undated artist's impression of a Disney theme park resort which the Walt Disney Company and Miral plan to construct in Abu Dhabi Reuters/Walt Disney Company and Miral
An undated artist's impression of a Disney theme park resort which the Walt Disney Company and Miral plan to construct in Abu Dhabi
  • Disney park will be first in Middle East
  • To be situated on Yas Island
  • Collaboration with developer Miral

The Walt Disney Company has announced that it is partnering with Abu Dhabi’s leisure-focused developer Miral to build a theme park in the UAE capital.

The resort, Disney’s first in the Middle East, will be on the waterfront of Yas Island.

It will be the US company’s seventh theme park around the world and the first it has launched in 15 years.

Yas Island is already home to a Ferrari World, a SeaWorld and other major amusement parks, as well as to an annual Formula1 grand prix.

“Through the development of unique attractions and experiences, Abu Dhabi continues to be a destination of choice for the world,” Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Miral, said in a statement.

The development will be “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati” and blend “contemporary architecture with cutting edge technology” to “rise from this land in spectacular fashion,” according to The Walt Disney Company’s CEO Robert A. Iger.

It will ultimately encompass Disney-themed entertainment, accommodation, dining and retail, according to a press release.

Miral CEO Mohamed Al Zaabi tells AGBI about it ambitions for Yas Island entertainments

Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, called the project “groundbreaking” and a “new frontier” for the industry.

“Our resort in Abu Dhabi will be the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio,” D’Amaro said.

In a US securities filing on Wednesday, Disney said it will “not provide capital” for the development, will “license its IP for the operation of the theme park and resort” and oversee “certain development and management services.” 

“The Company will earn royalties based on the project’s revenues and it will also earn service fees,” the document noted.

Last week at the Arabian Travel Market, Miral CEO Mohamed Al Zaabi told AGBI why he believes Yas Island is now a global destination and is not worried about competition from Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning leisure market.

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