Disney Is Building A New Theme Park In Abu Dhabi—Here’s What We Know

Forbes - May 7th, 2025

Disney announced plans to build its seventh global theme park in Abu Dhabi, in partnership with local company Miral. The new attraction, named 'Disneyland Abu Dhabi' by Disney CEO Bob Iger, will be designed by Disney's Imagineers and operated by Miral. The theme park will be located on Yas Island, a known hub for entertainment, and will blend Disney's signature experiences with Emirati culture. No details have been released regarding the park's opening date or specific attractions, but the park is expected to offer immersive entertainment through contemporary architecture and cutting-edge technology.

This initiative marks Disney's first theme park in the Middle East and aligns with its strategy of forming international partnerships to expand its global footprint. Similar to previous collaborations, such as with Oriental Land Company in Japan and Shanghai Shendi Group in China, Disney leverages local expertise and investment to operate its parks. The Abu Dhabi park is part of Disney's broader expansion efforts, which include adding new attractions to existing parks. As Disney's theme parks contribute significantly to its profits, this new venture could further enhance its global brand presence and revenue streams, while also appealing to a diverse international audience.

Disney Middle East Bob Iger Theme Park Miral Yas Island International Expansion

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RATING

7.6

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a clear and timely overview of Disney's announcement to build a new theme park in Abu Dhabi. It accurately reports the main facts, supported by credible sources, and transparently acknowledges the lack of detailed information about the park's features and opening timeline. While the story is well-structured and accessible, offering significant public interest, it could benefit from a more balanced perspective by including views from local stakeholders or industry analysts. The impact of the article is somewhat limited by the absence of specific details, but it effectively engages readers interested in Disney's global ventures. Overall, the article is a reliable and informative piece, though it leaves room for further exploration and updates as more information becomes available.

Accuracy

The article accurately reports on Disney's announcement of a new theme park in Abu Dhabi, which aligns with confirmed reports from various credible sources. The main claims, such as the partnership with Miral and the location on Yas Island, are consistent with available information. However, the article lacks specific details about the park's attractions, opening date, and admission costs, which are acknowledged as not yet disclosed by Disney. This transparency about the absence of certain details helps maintain accuracy but also highlights areas needing further verification.

Balance

The article primarily presents the perspective of Disney and its CEO, Bob Iger, focusing on the company's strategic expansion and the collaborative aspect with Miral. While it provides a positive outlook on the new park's potential, it does not delve into potential challenges or criticisms, such as economic impacts or cultural considerations in Abu Dhabi. Including perspectives from local stakeholders or industry analysts could have provided a more balanced view.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and clearly written, with a logical flow that guides the reader through Disney's announcement and its implications. The language is straightforward and accessible, making it easy for a general audience to understand the key points. The use of direct quotes from Bob Iger adds clarity to Disney's vision for the new park. However, the article could benefit from more detailed explanations of industry-specific terms, such as 'Imagineers,' for readers unfamiliar with Disney's internal terminology.

Source quality

The article relies heavily on statements from Disney and Bob Iger, which are authoritative sources for the company's plans. However, it lacks input from independent experts or third-party analysts that could enhance the reliability of the information presented. Additionally, there is no mention of sources within Miral or local authorities, which could provide further credibility and context to the partnership details.

Transparency

The article is transparent about the current lack of detailed information regarding the theme park's attractions, opening date, and pricing. By clearly stating what is known and what remains undisclosed, it maintains a level of transparency that helps readers understand the limitations of the current information. However, it does not discuss any potential conflicts of interest or the broader context of Disney's global expansion strategy, which could affect impartiality.