Miral CEO Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi has seemingly confirmed that the upcoming Disney theme park in Abu Dhabi will not follow the traditional outdoor model used in most existing Disney destinations and will be a primarily indoor theme park.
He explained in a recent statement on X that “an outdoor theme park would never work” in the UAE’s climate, strongly suggesting that the project will lean toward an indoor format. Al Zaabi clarified that the park would be a hybrid, with both indoor and outdoor elements integrated into the final design.
I visited Disney and Universal Studios in Los Angeles in August, and I found it to be a challenging experience. We have great confidence in your leadership and Miral to develop a successful hybrid system that combines indoor and outdoor elements.
Wishing you all the best.
— Abdulla M. Sayyar (@abSayyar) July 25, 2025
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This aligns with comments Al Zaabi made earlier in May 2025, during an interview on Dubai Eye 103.8. At the time, he said: “We have done all our theme parks indoor, so Disney will be an indoor theme park.”
The region’s climate is a major influence on design decisions. During summer months, Abu Dhabi experiences daytime temperatures exceeding 113°F (45°C), often paired with high humidity. These extreme conditions make extended outdoor activity uncomfortable and, in some cases, unsafe.
That’s why previous major attractions on Yas Island have favored enclosed, climate-controlled environments.
The drone show announcing the Disney Abu Dhabi theme park – Photo Credit: Miral
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The theme park was officially announced in May 2025 as part of a collaboration between The Walt Disney Company and Miral. The project will be located on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, home to several other Miral-developed attractions like Warner Bros. World, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, and Ferrari World—all of which are primarily or fully indoors.
“Authentically Disney and Distinctly Emirati”
Despite the indoor focus, Disney executives have also spoken about blending indoor and outdoor spaces.
Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, described the project as “incredibly ambitious” and emphasized the park’s unique waterfront location. He added that the project would involve innovative use of space and architecture and highlighted that water will play a key role in the resort’s layout.
Yeah, it’ll be much larger than anything that’s currently here now. … We’re being incredibly ambitious in terms of the architecture, use of indoor and outdoor space. One of the great things about the piece of land that we’ll be building on is it’s right up against the water. And so we’ll be pulling water into this resort. We really haven’t had an opportunity to do that anywhere else in the world. So this will be incredibly different from anything that’s around it.
While Disney parks around the world are primarily open-air, Disneyland Abu Dhabi marks a shift in approach. As part of its strategy for global growth, Disney is adjusting to regional needs. CEO Bob Iger noted the park will be “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati,” incorporating local culture into its design and storytelling.
Development timelines suggest the project will take at least two years of design and planning, followed by up to five years of construction. That would place the earliest potential opening in the early 2030s, although Disney has not confirmed a specific date.
Ultimately, Disneyland Abu Dhabi appears poised to become one of Disney’s most climate-adaptive projects to date. Miral and Disney executives assure fans that the new park will maintain the storytelling and innovation expected from the brand, it will also reflect the environmental and cultural context of its host city. Can Miral deliver? Only time will tell.
What do you think of a mostly indoor Disney park in Abu Dhabi? Will Miral make the most of this new experience for innovative theming, or will it stray too far from the Disney fans know and love? Let us know in the comments!
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