Disney is set to open a theme park and resort in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The American media and entertainment giant is partnering with Miral, an Abu Dhabi-based company, to develop the new park on Yas Island, located on the outskirts of the city.
Miral already manages several attractions on the site, including SeaWorld and Warner Bros. World.
The joint announcement was made prior to a visit by President Trump to the region next week, during which he has pledged to secure a series of business agreements with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.
The park will be built and operated by Miral, with Disney overseeing the design and development, although it is not providing financial backing for the project.
Disney will receive royalties and service fees, but the specific characters and franchises that may be featured in the park have not been disclosed.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the companies outlined that the resort will offer themed accommodations, dining options, and retail stores, all designed to «celebrate both the heritage of Disney and the futuristic and cultural essence of Abu Dhabi».
«Our resort in Abu Dhabi will be the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio. The location of our park is incredibly unique – anchored by a beautiful waterfront – which will allow us to tell our stories in completely new ways,» said Josh D’Amaro, chair of Disney Experiences.
Sky News reached out to Disney and Miral for information on the project’s timeline, but they indicated it was too early to speculate as an agreement had just been finalized.
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The UAE is conveniently located within a four-hour flight of one-third of the world’s population and boasts the largest global airline hub, with 120 million passengers passing through Abu Dhabi and Dubai annually.
Disney currently manages six resorts, with the first one opening in California in 1955, followed by locations in Florida, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.
The announcement of the UAE resort coincided with Disney’s release of quarterly results that exceeded expectations, driven by the success of its Disney+ streaming platform and strong performance from its theme parks.
Revenue increased by 7% to $23.6bn (£17.6bn), while operating income reached $4.4bn (£3.2bn).