Announced in May 2025, the future Disney park in Abu Dhabi continues to move forward, despite the tense geopolitical context that has gripped the region since the start of the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
As a reminder, the project involves the construction of a Disney complex on Yas Island, in Abu Dhabi. Estimated at around $10 billion, it would be developed by the Miral group — already behind Ferrari World and Warner Bros. World on the same island — and would become the seventh Disney resort in the world. The opening is targeted for sometime between 2030 and 2033.
Since the start of the regional conflict, legitimate questions have emerged about the project’s viability. Iran has targeted the territory of the United Arab Emirates on several occasions, including Zayed International Airport, located about ten minutes from the planned park site.
Even so, both partners have recently reaffirmed their commitment. Miral’s CEO, Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, met in London with Tasia Filippatos, the new President and Managing Director of Disney Parks International. In a post on LinkedIn, he described the discussions as “forward-looking” and reaffirmed his ambition to create “a truly iconic destination for the region.”
Structurally, the project’s financial setup remains unchanged. As former Disney CEO Bob Iger explained at the time of the announcement, the park is not owned by Disney: it operates under a licensing agreement with Miral, which provides all of the capital, while Disney receives royalties in return for the use of its intellectual property. This is the same arrangement as the Tokyo resort.
That said, more cautious voices exist as well. International attorney Joseph Gulino, managing partner at the law firm DRRT, told Variety that a major American brand would likely “reconsider” its investments in the region, not necessarily cancel them, but at least consider “some kind of delay” while the political situation becomes clearer.
For now, the project remains officially active. At a recent shareholders’ meeting, Disney’s new CEO Josh D’Amaro also confirmed that the Abu Dhabi park is still part of the company’s plans. A strong signal, even as caution remains warranted in such an uncertain environment.
Source: Variety
