Disney CEO Bob Iger Reveals Site of Upcoming Disneyland Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, UAE: The location of the highly anticipated Disneyland Abu Dhabi has been revealed for the first time, after Disney Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger shared images from Yas Island on social media during a site visit on January 26.

“Walking the site of what will one day be Disneyland Abu Dhabi,” Iger wrote in a post alongside two photographs taken on Yas Island.

“Lots of work ahead, but all very exciting,” he added.

The images show the Yas Island sign in the distance with expansive waterfront views, indicating that the theme park is likely to be developed in the northern section of Yas Island. While Miral, the Abu Dhabi-based developer behind the project, has not officially confirmed the precise plot, Yas North remains the only remaining area on the island of sufficient scale to accommodate a development of this magnitude.

In earlier interviews, Miral’s Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi stated that expansion of Yas Island would be “considered,” signalling that infrastructure upgrades or land extensions may be required to support the project’s long-term development and visitor capacity.

Seventh Disneyland park globally

First announced in May 2025, Disneyland Abu Dhabi will become the seventh Disneyland theme park in the world, marking Disney’s first destination in the Middle East and a major milestone for the region’s leisure and entertainment sector.

The park will join Yas Island’s established portfolio of global attractions, including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and Yas Waterworld, further reinforcing the island’s position as one of the world’s leading integrated entertainment destinations.

Miral will be responsible for the development and construction of the park, while Disney will oversee its creative direction and provide operational support, ensuring alignment with the company’s global standards and storytelling legacy.

Read more: Abu Dhabi Property Market Set to Rise After Disney Park Reveal

Waterfront integration and Emirati identity

The project is expected to include a signature Disney castle and, for the first time in Disneyland’s history, integrate a water element directly into the park’s design, a feature confirmed in September 2025. The waterfront setting is expected to play a central role in shaping the visitor experience and architectural concept.

Bob Iger has previously described the project as “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati,” noting that the park is intended to serve as a regional hub for Disney entertainment while presenting its iconic characters and narratives through a lens that reflects local culture and identity.

No official opening date has been announced. However, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Josh D’Amaro told Reuters that the project is likely to take one to two years to design, followed by a construction period of four to six years.

Based on these timelines, Disneyland Abu Dhabi is expected to open between 2030 and 2033, subject to final approvals, infrastructure readiness, and phased development plans.