Disney Unveils Plans for First New Theme Park in 15 Years with Abu Dhabi ResortFor the first time in over a decade, The Walt Disney Company has revealed plans to launch a new theme park — a landmark resort in Abu Dhabi, marking Disney’s official debut in the Middle East.Announced shortly after the company posted strong second-quarter results, Disneyland Abu Dhabi will become Disney’s seventh global resort destination.Disney’s theme parks have been a cornerstone of its financial performance, accounting for 59% of operating income in fiscal year 2024 as the company faces intensifying competition in the streaming space. While attendance at U.S. parks dipped slightly last year, Disney reported a rebound in domestic visitation and a surge in revenue for the first quarter. Internationally, resorts have shown more robust growth in both attendance and guest spending, although Disney faced setbacks in China where trade tensions led to declining attendance in Shanghai and Hong Kong, dragging down international park revenues for the quarter.The Abu Dhabi resort will be fully developed, constructed, and operated by Miral, a local development company, with Disney Imagineers guiding creative and operational aspects. Slated for a potential opening in the early 2030s, the project includes at least one theme park and an unspecified number of hotels.Josh D’Amaro, Disney Experiences chairman, says that each park must uniquely reflect its location through its design, cuisine, and cultural experiences. “We’re not just dropping in a duplicate of an existing park,” D’Amaro explained. “Abu Dhabi deserves something tailored.”The city’s strategic position also influenced the decision. Abu Dhabi and Dubai aim to become top-tier global travel hubs, connecting one-third of the world’s population within four hours. This includes the 1.4 billion people in India, many of whom will find Abu Dhabi more accessible than Disney parks in East Asia. D’Amaro cited a