Walt Disney has announced that it plans to open its first theme park in the Middle East.

The resort, which will be built on the island of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is a collaboration between Walt Disney and the local Miral entertainment and leisure company.

Disney already has six theme parks in North America, Europe and Asia, with the latest being opened in Shanghai in 2016.

Miral is responsible for the development of the island of JMAS as a tourist destination and is already managing the Seaworld and Warner Bros World themes, and is also developing a Harry Potter park.

In a statement, Disney said the UAE is only four hours by one -third of the world’s population, making the country a “important gateway to tourism”.

He also adds that 120 million passengers spend each year from Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports, making the Emirates the largest air hub in the world.

Disney Managing Director Robert Itaker described the plans for the new park as a “shocking moment” for the company and said that Disneyland Abu Dhabi would be “authentic Disney and in the spirit of the Emirates”.

The island of YAS covers an area of ​​25 square kilometers and is just 20 minutes from the center of Abu Dhabi and 50 minutes from Dubai.

Miral chief Mohammed Abdalla al -Zaabi said that the creation of Disney’s theme park in the area is a “milestone” to strengthen the island’s position as a worldwide recreation and recreation destination.

He added that the development of the park would “support continuing economic growth in Abu Dhabi and beyond.”

Her first theme park, Disneyland opened in 1955 in Anaim, California. It was followed by Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida in 1971. International expanding in 1983 with Tokyo Park, continued with Disneyland in Paris in 1992, in Hong Kong in 2005 and, more recently, in Shanghai in 2016.

Disney starts in 2025 with confidence

Walt Disney announced on Wednesday better than expected financial results for the first quarter of 2025, with revenue rising by 7% reaching $ 23.6 billion (£ 17.7 billion).

The Disney+ subscription platform added 1.4 million new users, despite the company’s initial forecast for a slight decline due to price rise.

There was also an increase in the traffic of theme parks to the US, with visitors spending more, and a significant rise was recorded on Disney cruises, after the new Disney Treasure ship was released.

Managing Director Robert Aigger said that “despite the questions that exist around macroeconomic uncertainty or competition, I am encouraged by the power and durability of our company.”

Danny Houson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell, commented that “at a time when many US businesses are concerned about the impact of customs duties on consumer spending and family budgets, Disney feels confident.”