Every decade or so, massive new theme parks are announced across the UAE, but what makes Dubai’s upcoming Disneyland stand out is its operator’s proven track record of creating bustling parks in the desert. Abu Dhabi is betting big on the new Disney venture, but the history of theme parks in the UAE has been a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows.
Traditionally, large outdoor theme parks haven’t performed as well as hoped in the emirates. For instance, Bollywood Parks closed permanently in 2023, and others like Motiongate have struggled with footfall, especially during the scorching summer months when outdoor attractions become less appealing.
The most ambitious attempt was Universal Studios Dubailand, unveiled at the 2007 Arabian Travel Market. Covering over two million square meters and promising an array of Universal Studios attractions, the project saw a ceremonial groundbreaking in 2008. However, the global financial crisis halted progress, and by 2016, Universal had officially exited the project before it ever materialized into a full-fledged park.
Six Flags, another major player, also faced setbacks in Dubai. An initial plan in 2008 to develop the largest Six Flags park outside the U.S. never saw construction. A renewed effort in 2014 aimed to bring a Six Flags park to Dubai Parks and Resorts. Construction began in 2016, with a planned opening in 2019 featuring 27 rides. But by 2018, due to ongoing losses and underperformance at existing parks—Motiongate, Bollywood Parks, and Legoland—the project was ultimately canceled in 2019.
Today, Dubai Parks and Resorts hosts Legoland, Motiongate, and the recently opened Real Madrid theme park—a replacement for Bollywood Parks. Yet, performance metrics remain opaque. A 2024 report noted that visitor numbers and revenue in 2020 plummeted by nearly 70% compared to 2019, underlining the challenges the destination faces.
Nevertheless, Dubai’s theme park ecosystem isn’t all setbacks. Dubai’s outdoor attraction, Global Village, continues to draw huge crowds, with over 10 million visits during its October to May season last year. It’s a testament to the emirate’s ability to draw crowds, especially in cooler months.
Miral, the master developer behind Yas Island, sees enormous potential in Dubai’s theme park scene. Yas Island’s indoor parks—Warner Bros. World and Ferrari World—operate year-round, avoiding the seasonal dips typical of outdoor parks. In 2024, Yas Island saw more than 38 million visitors, a 10% increase over the previous year. Hotel occupancy soared, reaching peaks of 90%, with a 17% rise in daily rates. The island’s diversified offering—concerts, sports, musicals, and conferences—keeps visitors engaged year-round.
While full details of the Disney project remain under wraps, Miral has hinted at a hybrid design, blending indoor and outdoor spaces to ensure year-round appeal: “We envision it as a hybrid experience with both enclosed and open-air areas. More details will be shared as the project advances.”
Yas Island’s theme parks continue to grow, with attendance up by 20% in 2024. Travel from the Gulf Cooperation Council nations increased by 56%, and international visitors jumped by 40%, with India, China, the UK, and Russia seeing notable growth.
All eyes are now on Dubai’s Disneyland—could this be the project that finally bucked the UAE’s theme park trend and transformed it into a global tourism hotspot? Only time will tell.
