Disney fans in the UAE have a new reason to celebrate — Disneyland Abu Dhabi is officially in the works, and it’s set to make history with a castle unlike any other in the world.
Imagineering with a Local Touch:
For the first time, Disney’s iconic castle design will incorporate water elements, inspired by Abu Dhabi’s coastal setting. The news was revealed by Zach Riddley, Senior Vice President of Global Creative Strategy at Walt Disney Imagineering, in the company’s We Call It Imagineering YouTube series.
“Abu Dhabi is a city on the water, and we’re really excited about being able to reflect that in the design of one of our castles,” Riddley said. He confirmed that the UAE park will follow the Magic Kingdom storytelling style but with a distinctly local touch.
Mystery Around the Theme:
The castle’s exact theme hasn’t been announced yet, sparking speculation among fans about which Disney story might inspire it. What’s certain, however, is that this will be a first-of-its-kind creation, blending Disney’s magic with Emirati culture.
Yas Island: The Perfect Stage
Set to rise on Yas Island, the resort will join global attractions like Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. Disney CEO Bob Iger has described it as “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati,” while promising the most technologically advanced park ever built.
When Will It Open?
Though no opening date has been confirmed, projects of this scale usually take several years — meaning visitors could expect gates to open as early as 2032 or 2033.
Until then, excitement is only building, with fans eagerly awaiting more details about Abu Dhabi’s landmark castle.
