For decades, Orlando has reigned as the world capital of themed parks – a place where Disney, Universal, SeaWorld and countless other attractions have attracted millions of visitors.
But a suitor came to the crown from an unlikely place: the deserts of the Arab Gulf. In a once better known destination for the richness of oil and camel races than for roller coasters, Abu Dhabi is building an adrenaline loaded amusement park that can rival Orlando.
And has just guaranteed your definitive weapon: Disney.
In May 2025, when Disney announced its first new theme park in 15 years, it chose Abu Dhabi over other important destinations of thematic parks in California, Japan and even Orlando.
“There was no doubt,” says Josh D’Amaro, President of Disney Experiences. The capital of the United Arab Emirates is already home to Ferrari World, with the fastest roller coaster in the world; from Warner Bros. World (built under license by Warner Brothers Discovery, CNN’s mother company); From Yas Waterworld, an epic network of slip and pools; and more recently from SeaWorld Yas Island Abu Dhabi. It is evident that the emirate is claiming as the most serious competitor Orlando has faced.
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is the world’s fastest roller coaster / Getty
Disneyland Abu Dhabi, whose opening in Yas Island is scheduled for the early 2030s, will be the most technologically advanced park ever. Digital images show a sparkling and futuristic tower in the center-to resemble the sparkling horizon of Abu Dhabi than to a traditional European castle. It will be the first Disney resort located on an affordable coastline, located just 20 minutes from the center of Abu Dhabi.
The theme park will be developed, built and operated by Miral, Abu Dhabi’s company responsible for the other Yas Island attractions. Disney’s imagineers will deal with creative design and operational supervision, ensuring that the new park is in line with the Disney brand.
Miral CEO Mohamed Abdalla Al Zabi states that demand already exists: by 2024, the influx to themed parks in Yas Island grew 20%. And the expansion is already underway – a thematic area dedicated to Harry Potter at Warner Bros. World, more record holders at Ferrari World, new thematic hotels and even two beaches throughout Yas Bay Waterfront.
‘This is not about building another theme park’
Abu Dhabi’s location, at an average flight distance from both Europe and Asia, and relatively close to India, means that millions of potential visitors are within reach with relative ease.
“This is not about building another theme park,” Saleh Mohamed Al Gezery, Director General of Tourism of Abu Dhabi, to CNN. “It is about defining Abu Dhabi as a global destination where culture, entertainment and luxury intersect.”
Abu Dhabi’s rise happens at a time when Orlando and tourism in the US face contrary winds. International travel to the US has recently softened, with long visa processes, unpredictable immigration checks and greater security scrutiny to be pointed out as factors that remove visitors.
Currently, Abu Dhabi offers a more fluid alternative than the US. Many nationalities can enter the United Arab Emirates with no visa or e-View, and the capital airport-currently expanding-has a reputation for rapid processing at borders and easy bonds.
Despite the broader regional tensions, Abu Dhabi continues to position himself as a safe and reliable tourist center. The Emirates featured well at the Global Peace Index of 2024. “In times of uncertainty, people seek destinations where they can trust,” Al Gezary added.
Once in Yas Island, visitors find air -conditioned interior attractions, shorter queues and a level of sophistication unusual to thematic parks.
“For families used to thematic parks in the US or Europe, Abu Dhabi is a revelation,” says Steven Hopkinson, a British expat to Abu Dhabi. “There is no hours to wait in the heat, and everything seems more refined, more affordable, which is a real luxury when traveling with young children.”
Currently, Yas Island is home of four thematic parks, as well as a vast gastronomic and leisure offer.
Orlando may have the flower of Florida, but in summer there is also moisture and crowds. In Abu Dhabi temperatures also shoot, but air -conditioned inner parks maintain consistent experience, regardless of what happens abroad.
Warner Bros. World and Ferrari World are fully closed, with air -conditioned tickets and restaurants, and even SeaWorld’s aquariums and experiments are under cover.
“Compared to sites like Florida, it’s a different level of comfort,” said Ahmed El Khoury, Palestinian expatrians and the father of three children.
‘Disney made a smart choice’
Despite comparisons, Abu Dhabi does not position himself as a direct rival of Orlando – he intends to be something else. The emirate sees its theme parks as part of a wider portfolio of attractions, alongside cultural landmarks, luxury hotels, immaculate beaches and desert adventures.
A 15 -minute drive from Yas Island, Saadiyat Island is home to Louvre Abu Dhabi, a franchised extension of the famous Parisian art museum, which received 1.4 million visitors last year, 84% of foreigners. Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum are both under construction, contributing to a cultural district that will be one of the most concentrated poles of art and heritage in the region.
“Abu Dhabi’s unique appeal lies in the diversity of our tourist offer,” added Al Gezary. “For those looking for adrenaline, we have record holders and trips in the desert dunes. For culture lovers, historical sites such as Al Ain Oasis and institutions such as Saadiyat museums. And luxury travelers, world-level gastronomy, private islands and high-end trade.
“Where else can the day be started under the iconic Light Light Summit and finish it in Warner Bros.’s immersive and narrative worlds. World or Ferrari World?”
Still, not everyone believes that Disney’s expansion to the Middle East is a guaranteed bet.
“The region has already known its quota of failed starting starts,” says Dennis Speigel, founder of International Consultant Theme Park Services, comparing it with the irregular history of the neighboring Dubai regarding ambitions for expanding thematic parks in the mid-2010s. “Several of them had difficulties of profitability in their first decade.”
Spiegel believes Abu Dhabi is different. “Disney has made a smart choice. Infrastructure, security and existing leisure enterprises create an ideal point of entry,” he told CNN earlier this year. “It’s a much more controlled and calculated bet.”
As part of its 2030 Tourism Strategy, Abu Dhabi intends to increase the number of annual visitors from 24 million by 2023 to over 39 million by the end of the decade. With Disneyland as a central piece, these goals may well be overcome. The city’s population has grown from 2.7 million in 2014 to over 4.1 million today, a reflection of its rise as a regional hub.
Only Yas Island was transformed within a decade of a virtually unexplored sand extension for an autonomous tourist destination, complete with golf fields, Marinas, a shopping center, more than 160 restaurants and a set of luxury hotels.
Orlando’s initial advantage is still formidable – it still offers several Disney and Universal parks, has decades of brand fidelity and an infrastructure designed to host tens of millions of tourists annually.
But Abu Dhabi is quickly recovering ground. Its combination of easy trips, comfort throughout the year, cutting -edge attractions and a cultural scene that adds depth to experience gives Abu Dhabi a single -selling argument, potentially offering a model for the next generation of the theme parks.
