Is Disney About to Change Castles Forever With This Bold New Addition?
When Walt Disney first welcomed guests to Disneyland Resort in Anaheim on July 17, 1955, he likely had no idea how deeply the theme park experience would evolve. That single park grew into a global phenomenon that now spans across six resorts worldwide, from California and Florida to Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.
Each destination has been carefully designed to offer unique takes on the Disney experience, but they are all united by one central figure — the castle.
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Every Disney resort has made its castle the beating heart of the park. Sleeping Beauty Castle has long stood as the centerpiece of Disneyland, while Cinderella Castle became the shining symbol of Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disney Resort.
Disneyland Paris boasts a fairytale version of Sleeping Beauty Castle, Hong Kong Disneyland transformed its original structure into the Castle of Magical Dreams, and Shanghai Disney broke the mold with its towering Enchanted Storybook Castle.
On May 7, 2025, Disney revealed plans that stunned even the most dedicated fans: a seventh resort would be coming to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. While this new destination will carry the Disney name, it won’t be owned by the company directly.
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Much like Tokyo Disney, the new resort will be owned, operated, and funded by the Miral Group, with Disney Imagineers providing the design and creative vision. This addition to Yas Island will also mark Disney’s first-ever indoor theme park, promising an entirely new way to experience the magic.
Details about Disneyland Abu Dhabi remain limited, but Disney has shared that the park will combine timeless attractions, beloved characters, and advanced technology to bring something fresh to the table.
Disney CEO Bob Iger himself hinted earlier this year that the castle centerpiece would feature elements unlike anything seen before. “You start thinking about what is possible, actually envisioning a castle rising up in this case from the sand and also being on the water,” he explained.
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That idea has now been expanded upon thanks to Imagineer Zach Ridley, who shared insight on We Call It Imagineering. Ridley confirmed that the Abu Dhabi location offers Imagineers an exciting opportunity to embrace the park’s waterfront setting.
“Weʼre going to create a castle park here, a park thatʼs based on our Magic Kingdom-style of storytelling.”
“Abu Dhabi is a city on the water, and so weʼre really excited about being able to incorporate water for the first time in the design of one of our castles.”
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This revelation means the castle at Disneyland Abu Dhabi will differ from its counterparts in a major way. While moats and fountains have long been staples of Disney castles, this new design will fully integrate water into its concept, elevating the symbolism of the structure and creating a feature that could become a defining hallmark of the resort.
Construction has yet to begin, as the project is still in its development stages. Current projections suggest that the resort could open sometime between 2030 and 2032, giving fans plenty of time to speculate about what will make this castle stand apart.
Of course, the announcement has not come without criticism. Many fans have voiced concerns about Disney’s decision to build in the United Arab Emirates, citing the region’s record on human rights as well as laws that criminalize homosexuality and transgender identity.
Are you excited to hear that Disney will incorporate water features into its new castle in Abu Dhabi? How do you feel about Disney building a theme park in the Middle East? Where do you think Disney’s next resort should be located? Share all your thoughts with us in the comments!
