NEW Photos from CEO Bob Iger Show Future Home of Disneyland Abu Dhabi

Disney is opening a brand new theme park! In May 2025, the company announced its newest resort would be Disneyland Abu Dhabi, which quickly became a controversial topic.

Despite online conversation and concern connected to the park, the company is forging ahead with the new theme park. Disney CEO Bob Iger recently stopped by the development site, and we’ve got the photos right here!

Bob Iger has stopped by Disney’s upcoming theme park resort. In a post he shared on Instagram, Disney’s CEO wrote, “Walking the site of what will one day be Disneyland Abu Dhabi! Lots of work ahead, but all very exciting!” 

The new park will be located on Yas Island and is being described as “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati.” The park will be a waterfront resort that brings together “Disney’s iconic stories, characters, and attractions with Abu Dhabi’s vibrant culture, stunning shorelines, and breathtaking architecture.”

While the company hasn’t given us a ton of details on what to expect, they have said the park will have “unique attractions and experiences,” which leads us to believe several first-of-its-kind experiences will be at the park. We also know that the park is being developed and built by Miral, which has developed other parks in the area, such as SeaWorld Yas Island, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and Ferrari World Yas Island.

Similar to how Disney works with the Oriental Land Company for Tokyo Disney Resort, Disney Imagineers will lead the creative process and operational oversight, but Miral, in collaboration with American and European brands, will operate the resort once it’s open.  In addition to the theme park, Disney has said it will also offer signature Disney entertainment and themed accommodations, so think hotels and a shopping district, potentially.

Disney hasn’t shared an estimated timeline on the project, but we know that it took the company 5 years to build Shanghai Disneyland, which is the company’s latest resort destination. In an interview with CNBC, Bob Iger said, “We’re not pinning down a date yet. It typically takes us between 18 months and two years to design and fully develop, and approximately five years to build, but we’re not making any commitments right now.”

Bob Iger might be the CEO during the park’s initial announcement, but a new CEO will be at the helm by the time the park opens. Disney is currently on the hunt for the company’s next CEO, as Bob Iger’s contract is coming to an end. The announcement of the new head honcho is expected to come sometime in early 2026. No matter who is named, they will handle the opening and development of this new park and its potential problems.

The new park is proving to be a controversial choice, so we are keeping our eyes and ears open for any news, changes, or online discussions regarding Disneyland Abu Dhabi. In the meantime, our team goes to Disney World almost daily, so be sure to keep following AllEars for more Disney news, updates, and more.

Why We’re Already Worried about Disneyland Abu Dhabi

 

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