Disney in the Desert: Bob Iger Teases Disneyland Abu Dhabi Location

The “Happiest Place on Earth” is officially heading to the Middle East. In a series of recent social media updates, Disney CEO Bob Iger has offered the clearest clues yet regarding the location of the highly anticipated Disneyland Abu Dhabi.

A Waterfront Reality on Yas Island

On Sunday, Iger shared photos on Instagram documenting his visit to the future site. Captioned, “Walking the site of what will one day be Disneyland Abu Dhabi! Lots of work ahead, but all very exciting!”, the images featured a prominent Yas Island sign in the background.

This placement solidifies Yas Island as the undisputed entertainment capital of the region. The future Disney resort will join an elite neighborhood of world-class attractions, including:

• Warner Bros. World™ Yas Island
• SeaWorld Yas Island
• Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi
• Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

Collaborative Development: Miral and Disney

The confirmation follows high-level meetings between Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and a senior Walt Disney Company delegation, including Iger and Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences.

Originally announced in May 2025, the project is a landmark partnership between Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations, and Disney. Under the agreement:

• Miral will finance, build, and operate the resort.
• Disney Imagineers will lead the creative design and provide operational oversight.
• The Walt Disney Company will earn royalties based on the park’s revenue.

What to Expect: The Seventh Disney Resort

Disneyland Abu Dhabi marks the company’s seventh theme park resort globally and its first all-new location since the 2016 opening of Shanghai Disney Resort. While an exact opening date remains under wraps, Josh D’Amaro previously indicated that projects of this scale typically require one to two years for design and an additional four to six years for construction.

While specific themed lands have not yet been revealed, Disney has confirmed the resort will be a comprehensive destination featuring:

• Signature Disney-themed accommodations and luxury hotels.
• World-class dining experiences.
• A dedicated retail and entertainment district.

A Vision for Future Travel

The addition of a Disney resort is expected to dramatically increase international tourism to the UAE. For travelers already exploring the region—perhaps even visiting from nearby hidden gems like Rhineland-Palatinate—this development adds a major cornerstone to the Middle Eastern luxury travel circuit.

At Hezekiah, we are already monitoring the progress of this project to ensure our clients are the first to experience the magic of Disney in the heart of Abu Dhabi