Disney pushes ahead with $35.6 billion Abu Dhabi park despite regional tensions

In May, Disney announced a partnership with Miral to develop a new Disney theme park in Abu Dhabi, marking the company’s first major venture in the Middle East. Miral will fund, build and operate the park under a licensing agreement that grants Disney royalties from admissions and merchandise, while Disney will provide creative oversight through its Imagineering team, headed by Zach Riddley. The park’s centerpiece will feature a water-filled castle on the coast, and recent concept art suggests it will not be entirely indoor like nearby attractions.

Although the regional conflict has halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Disney’s chief financial officer Hugh Johnston reaffirmed the company’s strategic rationale and long-term commitment. The project’s timeline could span a year or two for design and four to six years for construction, contingent on the reopening of the shipping lane. New research from IAAPA projects regional tourism spending to reach $35.6 billion by 2030, underscoring the market’s appeal.