- Disney is opening a new theme park in Abu Dhabi. This will be the seventh theme park resort for Disney. Officials say it will be the most technically advanced Disney park in the world.
Disney is expanding its theme-park footprint. The company on Wednesday announced plans to create a Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, which will be its seventh worldwide location.
The new park is a safe bet for the entertainment giant. It will not be investing capital in the project and the park will be developed and built by Miral, an immersive-destination creator in Abu Dhabi. Disney, however, will receive royalty payments from the park. Disney Imagineers will lead creative design and have operational oversight on the project.
The park will be built on Yas Island, a leisure destination for Middle East travelers.
“As our seventh theme park destination, it will rise from this land in spectacular fashion, blending contemporary architecture with cutting-edge technology to offer guests deeply immersive entertainment experiences in unique and modern ways,” said Disney CEO Bob Iger in a statement.
Because it’s the newest theme park, Disneyland Abu Dhabi will also be the most technically advanced of all Disney parks. That will give Imagineers a chance to flex their muscles and offer more immersive and advanced attractions.
The company did not announce when it expects the park to open, though Iger did say it typically takes roughly two years to design a park and five years to build one.
Disneyland Abu Dhabi will not consume any of the $60 billion Disney has dedicated to invest in its theme parks over the next decade. Those upgrades come as park attendance continues to grow, but the company faces increased competition in the U.S. from Universal Studios, which will open its Epic Universe theme park later this month.
