It's official: Disney will soon be taking its first steps in the Middle East, with the establishment of a first-of-its-kind theme park in Abu Dhabi. This announcement marks a historic turning point in the expansion of the iconic brand, which has chosen the capital of the United Arab Emirates to host its very first Disney park in the region. A strategic decision that reinforces Abu Dhabi's position as a leading global tourist destination.
An ambitious project combining magic and cultural identity
Designed to offer a totally immersive experience, Disney's Abu Dhabi park promises to blend the brand's fairytale world with the cultural richness of the Emirates. The park's architecture, conceived in a contemporary style inspired by Emirati traditions, will offer an unprecedented aesthetic, at the crossroads of modernity and local heritage.
Visitors will discover iconic Disney characters in settings reinterpreted through the prism of regional culture, offering exclusive attractions not found in any other Disney park in the world. The aim is to create a unique experience rooted in the region, while respecting the brand's codes and values.
A driving force for tourism and the local economy
Disney's arrival in Abu Dhabi is expected to have a considerable impact on the local economy, creating thousands of jobs in the tourism, hotel, services and events sectors. The park is part of the emirate's strategy to diversify its economy, focusing on entertainment, culture and high-end tourism to support its post-oil growth.
This new facility will enhance an already highly-developed tourism ecosystem, alongside iconic sites such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Yas Island and Ferrari World. Abu Dhabi thus reinforces its position as the leisure and cultural capital of the Gulf.
An eagerly awaited opening
While the exact opening date has yet to be revealed, the project is already being seen as one of the most ambitious ever launched by Disney outside the U.S., Europe and Asia. Early concept images suggest a next-generation park, incorporating state-of-the-art immersive technologies, interactive experiences and reinvented theme zones to appeal to local families and international tourists alike.
A new era for entertainment in the Middle East
With the arrival of Disney in Abu Dhabi, the Middle East tourism landscape is enriched by a global player of reference. This project embodies a forward-looking vision, where entertainment, culture and innovation converge to create a one-of-a-kind destination.
This opens the way to a new era, in which the world's leading leisure brands invest in the region, consolidating its attractiveness, while offering local populations an exceptional entertainment offering, up to international standards.