May 12, 2025 | By Anita Jain Shah

In a groundbreaking announcement that has sent ripples across the global tourism industry, The Walt Disney Company and Miral Group confirmed plans to open the first Disneyland in the Middle East—right on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The announcement event, held in Mumbai on May 7, 2025, saw the presence of 50 hand-picked Indian travel agents and partners, signaling the destination’s strong focus on the Indian outbound travel market.

Disneyland Abu Dhabi: Middle East’s Most Anticipated Mega Attraction
Set to become Disney’s seventh theme park globally and first in the region, Disneyland Abu Dhabi is being pitched as a game-changer for the UAE theme park economy, which has already shown strong post-pandemic growth. Yas Island is currently home to top-rated attractions including Warner Bros. World, Ferrari World, and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, and the addition of a Disney park is expected to amplify footfall, especially from India.

“Yas Island is already popular among Indian travellers for all the top three theme parks in the region, and with the addition of Disney, we intend to make it a destination of a lifetime — a crowd-puller not only for Yas Island but for the whole region. We are excited. Let the magic begin,” said Sagar Raman, Country Director – India, Miral Destinations, during the Mumbai launch.

Why Indian Travel Agents Should Pay Attention
With Abu Dhabi just a 3.5 to 4-hour flight from major Indian metros, Disneyland Abu Dhabi presents an unbeatable proposition for Indian families, school groups, and leisure travellers. As demand for short-haul international holidays from India continues to surge, this park will become a strong anchor around which agents can build Yas Island holiday packages.

For travel agents, the opportunity lies in bundling Disney with Abu Dhabi’s existing luxury hotels, shopping malls, cultural attractions like the Louvre Abu Dhabi, and culinary experiences, along with Dubai add-ons for multi-city Middle East tours.

UAE Theme Parks: A Booming Industry
According to recent industry estimates, theme parks in the Middle East generated over $24 billion in revenue in 2022, and Disneyland’s entry is expected to boost those numbers dramatically. This new project will be fully financed and operated by Miral, while Disney lends its creative oversight and branding strength, creating a business model tailored to regional nuances.

Importantly, pricing for tickets and packages is expected to be more accessible than Disney’s U.S. or European counterparts, making Disney holidays from India more affordable for middle-income families.

What Indian Tour Operators Can Do Now
Though the official opening date is yet to be announced, Indian DMCs and outbound tour operators can already start planning product strategies. Suggested actions include:

Creating customized Abu Dhabi family packages featuring a “Coming Soon” teaser for Disneyland
Partnering with Miral Destinations India office for early access to trade updates and training
Designing combo itineraries for Yas Island + Dubai or Yas Island + Saudi Arabia, especially for school vacations and MICE groups
Moreover, Yas Island’s strong infrastructure—including theme park shuttle services, Indian restaurants, and visa-on-arrival for Indian passport holders with valid U.S. or Schengen visas—makes it a travel-friendly destination.

B2B Tip: Position Yas Island as the ‘Orlando of the Middle East’
By drawing parallels between Yas Island and Orlando, Indian travel companies can educate their clients about the destination’s consolidated theme park offerings. The addition of Disneyland will further cement this positioning.

Final Thoughts
The announcement of Disneyland Abu Dhabi is not just a big win for UAE tourism, but also a golden opportunity for Indian travel agents to refresh their outbound product portfolios. As Abu Dhabi gears up to host millions of Disney fans from around the world, Indian travellers—and the travel trade that supports them—will be among the biggest beneficiaries of this Middle Eastern magical kingdom.