Disney's Abu Dhabi Theme Park Might Be Its Most Technologically Advanced Resort Yet

Disney and United Arab Emirates developer Miral say they’re planning Disney’s most tech-forward theme park and resort experience near Abu Dhabi.

The as-yet-unnamed waterfront destination will be on Yas Island, about 20 miles from the city of Abu Dhabi. It could open as early as the early 2030s and will be Disney’s first new theme park since it opened Shanghai Disney Resort in 2016.

“As our seventh theme park destination, it will rise from this land in spectacular fashion, blending contemporary architecture with cutting-edge technology to offer guests deeply immersive entertainment experiences in unique and modern ways,” said Disney’s CEO Bob Iger,

Disney and Miral posted a video with concept art and clips of Disney properties including Moana, Frozen and Tron. It touted Yas Island’s waterfront location as an opportunity to create interactive experience unique to this park. A spokesperson for Disney told CNN it’s been discussing this project for a decade and it’s interested in incorporating technologies such as Unreal Engine to fuse characters and stories into its attractions. 

“This groundbreaking resort destination represents a new frontier in theme park development,” said Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences in a statement. “Our resort in Abu Dhabi will be the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio. 

The company is celebrating its 70th birthday this month and through the rest of the year with events across its existing parks.