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For decades, Orlando has reigned as the global capital of theme parks. This is where Disney, Universal, SeaWorld and countless other attractions attract millions of visitors.
However, the challenger of the crown rose from the unlikely location: the desert of the Arabian Gulf. At destinations known for oil wealth and camel races than roller coasters, Abu Dhabi is building an adrenaline-recharged playground in Orlando that can run for money.
And it just landed Disney, the ultimate weapon.
In May 2025, when Disney unveiled its first new theme park in 15 years, it chose Abu Dhabi over other important theme park destinations in California, Japan and even Orlando.
“There’s no doubt,” says Josh Damaro, chairman of Disney Experience. Already home to Ferrari’s world, the UAE capital city features the fastest roller coaster in the world. Warner Bros. World (built under license by CNN’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery); Yas Waterworld, a spectacular network of slides and pools. And recently, Sea World Yas Island Abu Dhabi. The Emirate is clearly emerging as the most serious challenger Orlando has ever faced.
Disneyland Abu Dhabi, set to open on Yas Island in the early 2030s, will be the most technically advanced park to date. The render shows a sparkling futuristic tower in its center. This is much more similar to the sparkling skyline of Abu Dhabi than traditional European castles. It will be the first Disney resort to be set up on an accessible coastline just 20 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi.
The theme park will be developed, constructed and operated by Miral, the Abu Dhabi company behind the roster of other attractions on Yas Island. Disney Imagineer handles creative design and operational oversight to ensure that the new park is in line with Disney’s brand.
Miral CEO Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi says demand is already there. In 2024, theme park attendance rates increased by 20% on Yas Island. And expansions are already underway on the Harry Potter themed lands at Warner Bros. World, record-breaking rides at Ferrari World, new themed hotels, and even two beaches along the Yas Bay Waterfront.
Why Disney chose Abu Dhabi as their next theme park location
The location of Abu Dhabi, medium-range flights away from both Europe and Asia, and relatively short hops from India mean that millions of potential visitors can reach them relatively easily.
“This is not about building another theme park,” Abu Dhabi’s tourism director Saleh Mohamed Al-Geziri told CNN. “It defines Abu Dhabi as a global destination where culture, entertainment and luxury intersect.”
The rise of Abu Dhabi comes when Orlando and the US tourism faces more broadly headwinds. International travel to the US has recently slowed down, with increased security scrutiny accused of long visa processes, unpredictable immigration checks and deterring visitors.
Abu Dhabi now offers smoother US alternatives. Many nationalities can enter the country without a UAE visa or using E-VISA, and the capital’s airport (currently expanding) has a reputation for rapid border processing and simple connections.
Despite the tensions in the wider region, Abu Dhabi continues to occupy its position as a safe and reliable tourism hub. The United Arab Emirates was highly ranked in the 2024 Global Peace Index. “In times of uncertainty, people look for reliable destinations,” added Al Gezily.
Upon reaching Yas Island, visitors experience indoor climate-controlled attractions, short lines and levels of sophistication that are not normally associated with theme parks.
“For families with a US or European park-themed family, Abu Dhabi is a revelation,” says Stephen Hopkinson, a UK expatriate living in Abu Dhabi. “We don’t wait for hours in the heat and we feel everything is more refined and accessible.
Orlando may be exposed to Florida’s sunshine, but there is also humidity and crowds in the summer. Temperatures are still rising in Abu Dhabi, but its climate-controlled indoor parks keep the experience consistent no matter what’s happening outside.
The world of Warner Bros. World and Ferrari are completely surrounded by air-conditioned corridors and restaurants, and even SeaWorld’s aquariums and animal experiences are hidden.
“Compared to places like Florida, it’s a different level of comfort,” said Ahmed El-Kouri, a Palestinian expatriate and father of three.
Despite the comparisons, Abu Dhabi has not established itself as a direct rival to Orlando. It aims to become something more. The Emirates sees theme parks as part of a larger portfolio of attractions, along with cultural landmarks, luxury hotels, pristine beaches and desert adventures.
Sadiyat Island, a 15-minute drive from Yas Island’s drive, is home to Louvre Abu Dhabi, the franchised former post base of the famous Paris Museum, which welcomed 1.4 million visitors last year and attracted 84% from overseas. Both Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum are under construction, adding to the cultural district that will become one of the region’s most concentrated art and heritage hubs.
“The unique appeal of Abu Dhabi is the diversity of our tourist offerings,” added Al Gezily. “For those seeking thrill, there are record roller coasters and dune bashing in the desert. Historic places like culture lovers, Al Ain Oasis, and historic places like Sadiyat Museum.
“Can we start our day under the iconic rain rain dome of the Louvre and end it in the immersive, story-driven world of Warner Bros. or Ferrari’s world?”
Still, not everyone is sure Disney’s expansion into the Middle East is a sure bet.
“We saw a share of a false start in the region,” says Dennis Spegel, founder of International Theme Park Services Consultant. “Some of them struggled with profitability in the first decade.”
Spiegel believes Abu Dhabi is different. “Disney has made a wise choice. Infrastructure, safety and existing leisure development create an ideal entry point,” he told CNN earlier this year. “It’s a much more controlled and calculated movement.”
Under the 2030 Tourism Strategy, Abu Dhabi aims to increase annual visitors to more than 39 million by the end of the decade from 24 million in 2023. Disneyland could be the highlight and outperform these targets. The city’s population has already increased from 2.7 million in 2014 to over 4.1 million today. This reflects the rise in profile as a regional hub.
On Yas Island alone, it has been changing over a decade, from largely undeveloped sand stretches to destinations for golf courses, marinas, malls, more than 160 restaurants and self-contained resorts with clusters of high-end hotels.
Orlando’s head start remains horrible. It still offers multiple Disney and universal parks, decades of brand loyalty and infrastructure built to handle tens of millions of tourists each year.
But Abu Dhabi is catching up quickly. The combination of frictionless travel, year-round comfort, cutting-edge attractions and cultural scenes that add depth to the experience could give Abu Dhabi a unique selling point and provide a model for the next generation of theme park capital.
Natasha Chen and Liam Reilly of CNN contributed to this report.
