Overview
- CFO Hugh Johnston and CEO Josh D’Amaro told analysts Wednesday that Disney is fully committed to seeing the Abu Dhabi resort through and views it as a multi‑year build designed to operate for decades.
- Under the announced commercial model, Miral will finance, build, and operate the Yas Island resort while Disney Imagineering leads creative design and provides operational guidance.
- Disney expects its revenue from the project to come mainly from licensing fees and royalties rather than direct capital investment, and the company has not released any construction or opening timeline.
- Management framed the reaffirmation within broader results, saying strong demand at U.S. parks and cruises and healthy forward bookings help offset softness at Shanghai and Hong Kong and support the Experiences segment outlook.
- The deal makes Abu Dhabi Disney’s first Middle East destination and the seventh global resort, with Miral’s role meaning most construction and long‑term jobs will be created by the local developer even as Disney supplies the brand and creative work.