Navaxity- The Walt Disney Company has announced plans to open its first-ever theme park in the Middle East, located on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The project will be developed in partnership with UAE-based entertainment company Miral and is expected to cost more than $10 billion to build. According to the New York Post, Disney will not invest its own capital into the construction; instead, Miral will fully fund, build, and operate the park under a licensing agreement.
Disney’s role will focus on providing creative direction through its Imagineering division and licensing its iconic intellectual property. This model allows Disney to expand its global presence while avoiding major upfront costs. As reported by the New York Post, the company will earn revenue through licensing fees rather than direct park ownership.
CEO Bob Iger stated that the park would be “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati,” aiming to blend Disney’s storytelling legacy with the culture of the UAE. According to Barron’s, this aligns with Disney’s broader international strategy of localizing its experiences while maintaining its global brand identity.
The announcement coincides with Disney’s stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings, in which the company reported adjusted earnings of $1.45 per share on $23.6 billion in revenue. As noted by Barron’s, the experiences division—including theme parks—was a key driver of this success, with revenues climbing 6% year over year to $8.9 billion.
Yas Island has become a premier hub for global tourism, already home to major attractions like Warner Bros. World, Ferrari World, and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), this development fits into the UAE’s broader efforts to diversify its economy by becoming a global entertainment destination.
Navaxity- Over the past two decades, the Arab states of the Persian Gulf have engaged in intense competition to attract the attention of international media and powerful financial and economic institutions. Qatar’s hosting of the World Cup, the establishment of a major financial and economic hub in Dubai, as well as media, entertainment, and leisure centers in Abu Dhabi are among these efforts. It is also worth noting that in the past decade, Saudi Arabia has entered this competition with full force, aiming to replicate a wide range of initiatives carried out by its regional rivals within its own territory.
The Abu Dhabi park is part of Disney’s larger plan to invest $60 billion into its Parks, Experiences, and Products segment over the next ten years. According to CNN, this expansion aims to reach new markets and deepen Disney’s presence outside its traditional bases in North America and Europe.
