Disneyland Abu Dhabi is officially happening. Disney has announced plans for its first theme park in the Middle East, sparking much excitement from fans in the region and beyond. Disneyland Abu Dhabi is being built on Yas Island, joining existing theme parks, Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, and Yas Waterworld. It will become Disney’s seventh theme park globally alongside Florida, California, Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. From when it will open, to which rides it might have, here is everything we know about Disneyland Abu Dhabi so far.
When will Disneyland Abu Dhabi open?
The first thing many fans want to know is when Disneyland Abu Dhabi will open. While there is no official date yet, construction on the resort hasn’t started, so it will be a few years before fans can don their Mickey Mouse ears. Speaking to news agency Reuters following the announcement on May 7, Disney Experiences chairman Josh D’Amaro suggested it would be at least six years before the park opens, saying a project of this scale could take a year or two to design, and another four to six years to build. So, at the very earliest, Disneyland Abu Dhabi could open between 2030 and 2033.
What will be at Disneyland Abu Dhabi?
Disneyland Abu Dhabi is still in its design phase, so there has been no confirmation on which rides and attractions from current Disneyland resorts we might see in Abu Dhabi. However, we do know that the park will be home to a selection of Disney hotels, shops, rides, and restaurants.
It was also confirmed that Disneyland Abu Dhabi will contain specific cultural references that celebrate the UAE capital. In its statement, Disney said the park would feature “storytelling in a way that celebrates both the heritage of Disney and the futuristic and cultural essence of Abu Dhabi."
Disney’s most futuristic park yet
While we don’t have details of exactly which rides and attractions will be coming to Disneyland Abu Dhabi, we do know that it will be Disney’s most high-tech, interactive theme park to date. We also know that the famous Disney castle, a staple at all Disneyland resorts, will be reimagined for Abu Dhabi.
“The concept for this resort will push the boundaries of theme park design, showcasing groundbreaking technology, and visionary architecture, including a modern castle unlike anything we’ve ever created," D’Amaro said.
A huge boost for tourism
Abu Dhabi’s location, within four hours of nearly one-third of the world’s population, played a key role in Disney’s decision to open a park there. It is expected that Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be a huge boost for tourism in the UAE, especially with regional visitors from the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent.
The park’s location on Yas Island also means it is within easy reach of both Abu Dhabi city and Dubai, meaning both cities are likely to benefit from the opening.
What else do you need to know?
The park is being developed in collaboration with Miral, which already operates several of Yas Island’s key attractions, including Yas Waterworld, SeaWorld Yas Island, Ferrari World, and Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi. The park will be designed by Disney, but once it’s opened, it will be operated by Miral.
A version of this article originally appeared on Condé Nast Traveller Middle East.
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