CEO Bob Iger confirms Disneyland Abu Dhabi location

• Disney boss posts photos at development site
• Discusses project with Abu Dhabi crown prince
• Park due to open between 2030 and 2032

Disney’s CEO has confirmed the waterfront location of the upcoming Disneyland Abu Dhabi park. In an Instagram post on Sunday, Bob Iger shared two photos of himself at the location, saying: “Walking the site of what will one day be Disneyland Abu Dhabi! Lots of work ahead, but all very exciting.”

The post shows him by the water with a Yas Island sign in the distance. As AGBI has previously reported, the only waterfront site left on Yas Island is Yas North. 

Iger, Disney Experiences chairman Josh D’Amaro and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met last week to discuss the project. 

The emirate’s media office said the three talked about the project’s development plans as well as Abu Dhabi’s goal of becoming a “leading global destination for leisure and entertainment tourism”. 

Announced in May last year, the park is expected to open between 2030 and 2032. It is being developed and operated not by Disney, but by Miral, a local government-backed company that owns Ferrari World, the Warner Bros indoor park and the upcoming Harry Potter park in Abu Dhabi. 

Further reading:

• Robert Niles: Mickey Mouse meets the Middle East in Abu Dhabi
• Wanted: builders to make Disney and Potter dreams come true
• ‘Got any friends?’ Abu Dhabi seeks agency to sign up showbiz pals

AGBI has contacted Miral for comment.

Miral chief executive Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi also said in May last year that Yas Island would likely be “upgraded” to accommodate the park.

Asked by state-owned Dubai Eye Radio whether the island would need to be expanded, he replied: “That will be considered. There will be an upgrade to services and infrastructure.”

Disney’s share price of $110.98 has remained relatively flat, down about 1 percent year-to-date.