The 7th magic kingdom from Disney is set to be unveiled in Abu Dhabi

Disneyland Abu Dhabi: Mickey Mouse has his new clubhouse in the Middle East, and this may just be your cue to plan your next summer vacation

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Hunar Bhatia
Junior Features Writer
24 days ago
May 20, 2025
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Synonymous to literal fairytale dreams, once in a lifetime experience and coveted bucket list option, the charm of Disneyland is not unknown to anyone. Expanding its global footprint, the Walt Disney Company has announced the opening of its seventh Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, marking the brand’s first foray into the Middle East (West Asia). While the new location sure is an enticing bet, HELLO! rounds up all of Disney’s themed parks that should be at the top of your destination list as you plan your fun summer getaway with friends, family or solo. 

DISCOVER THE MAGICAL WORLD OF DISNEY AT THESE THEME PARKS 

Abu Dhabi 


In its quest to unlock new realms of magic, Disney has finally unveiled its next grand destination: Abu Dhabi. Set to be built on the Persian Gulf, this will mark the brand’s seventh theme park globally—and its most modern to date. With the UAE drawing in approximately 24 million visitors in 2023, the forthcoming Disneyland promises to become a crown jewel among iconic tourist attractions like the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Warner Bros. World. The creation of the new theme park and waterfront resort will take place in collaboration with Miral—an Abu Dhabi-based maker of immersive destinations and experiences—on Yas Island. Disney’s flamboyant stories combined with Abu Dhabi’s culture and shorelines, makes it an obvious choice for travellers. Expect this new, still unnamed iteration to have contemporary architecture, vaunted tech and immersive experiences that are a signature of the Disney brand. 

Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, California, USA

While novelty often steals the spotlight, there is an undeniable intrigue for where it all began. The same applies to this particular one offering a hefty dosage of adrenaline. The oldest Disneyland in Anaheim, California. USA, built by Walt Disney himself, is also the largest one with nine theme zones. Opened in 1955, the destination offers several icons such as that of the Sleeping Beauty Castle, the life-sized Pirates of the Caribbean port as well as the Space Mountain. 

Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida, USA

Designed not just for children but for every adult still in touch with their inner child, Walt Disney World Resort is a sprawling kingdom for everyone alike. Walt Disney was mindful of the spectrum of his audiences while constructing his second edition in the Disneyland franchise. It set the course for unfathomable growth, perhaps one even he didn’t imagine would’ve been possible at the time. Opened in 1971, it consists of four major theme parks—Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, and the future-first Tomorrowland—along with two water parks and a trove of fine-dining options as well. 

Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea, Japan

Image Courtesy: Tokyo Disney Resort

Tokyo Disneyland, opened in 1983 stands as the most eclectic one in the entire franchise. It owes its vibrancy to the synthesis of other Disney parks like Disneyland and Magic Kingdom. While the Disneyland offers a litany of themed lands, with Adventureland, Westernland, Critter Country and Fantasyland being a few, the DisneySea, nautical-themed park, consists of various harbours and ports that are themed around the Disney universe, making it the third most visited Disney park in the world. 

Disneyland Paris, Marne-la-Vallée, France

Image Courtesy: Disneyland Paris, Alice's Curious Labyrinth

The “City of Love” as well as the Disneylands, are both lauded for their extravagance; combined together, this destination is a must-visit for the sole purpose of its magnificent views. From the Sleeping Beauty Castle reimagined in a French lens to Ratatouille: The Adventure, the whole park is a tangible version of as far as the creativity of the mind goes. With costumed characters serenading your arrival, vintage cars greeting you on cobblestone walkways, and a generous helping of Parisian panache, this version of Disney is as photogenic as it is magical.

Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland, China 

Image Courtesy: Shanghai Disney Resort, Alice in Wonderland Maze

For those with an insatiable appetite for fantasy, China offers not one but two display sites for Disney, as if one wasn’t enough. A common cohort of the Disney fanbase can often be found here, with both of them offering a unique experience to the travellers. While Hong Kong boasts unique offerings like Mystic Manor and Grizzly Gulch, the Shanghai one celebrates architecture with its massive Enchanted Storybook Castle as its centerpiece as well as a literal garden of imagination. 

From the modern magnificence of their newest ventures, to the old-world charm of the original classics, there’s a magical summer on the cards and we can’t wait for you to experience every bit of its sparkle. 
 

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