Disney's First Water-Themed Castle Is Coming To Abu Dhabi. Details Inside

Abu Dhabi will soon welcome Disney's first Middle Eastern theme park, with never-before-seen themes and designs. For the first time, water will be part of the design of a Disney castle. The idea was revealed in Disney's 'We Call It Imagineering' YouTube series and has already caught the attention of Disney fans and travellers everywhere. In the episode, senior Walt Disney Imagineering executives shared insights into the creative vision for the highly anticipated Disneyland Abu Dhabi. 

"One of the first decisions we made as a company was to think we're going to create a castle park here, a park that's based on our Magic Kingdom style of storytelling," said Zach Riddley, Senior Vice President of Global Creative Strategy.

Building A Disneyland Inspired By Abu Dhabi

Riddley explained that Abu Dhabi's coastal character inspired the groundbreaking design choice. "Abu Dhabi is a city on the water, and so we're really excited about being able to incorporate water for the first time in the design of our Walt Disney castles," he said.

Taking The Iconic Disney Castle To The Sea

Ali Rubinstein, Senior Vice President of Global Creative Show Design, added that the new castle will stand apart from any Disney castle built before. "For the first time, we're taking our iconic castle to the sea, literally with our newest ship, the Disney Adventure, and that castle is not a replication of any existing castle in the world. It's inspired by broader nature themes like water, with subtle nods to our princesses Moana, Elsa and Anna."

Also Read: Disney Announces Theme Park And Resort In Abu Dhabi: Opening Date, Location, What To Expect

All About Disneyland Abu Dhabi: The First Of Its Kind In The Middle East

Disney first unveiled its Abu Dhabi theme park plans last year. Set to rise on North Yas Island in partnership with local developer Miral, Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be the first Disney-branded theme park in the Middle East. The project promises multiple themed lands built around the landmark water-inspired castle.

Disney CEO Bob Iger has previously described the theme park as "authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati." While Disney has not revealed specific themed areas for the park, the emphasis on blending the brand's storytelling magic with Emirati culture suggests a unique local touch.

Also Read: Tokyo's First-Ever Pokémon-Themed Park To Open In 2026. Details Inside

When Will Disneyland Abu Dhabi Open? 

As for when visitors can step inside the gates, no official opening date has been announced. Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro told Reuters that projects of this scale typically require one to two years of design work and four to six years of construction - meaning travellers may need to wait a few more years before experiencing Disney's first water-inspired castle in Abu Dhabi.