Global Theme Park Giant Opens Landmark Attraction in the Middle East as Six Flags and Disney Expand Gulf Footprint
Six Flags launches its first park outside North America in Saudi Arabia while Disney plans its first Middle East resort in Abu Dhabi, underscoring rapid regional growth in immersive entertainment
A global theme park leader has unveiled a major new destination in the Middle East, reflecting a surge in investment and international expansion by entertainment giants.
Six Flags officially opened Six Flags Qiddiya City in Saudi Arabia on December 31, 2025, marking the company’s first theme park outside North America.
The Riyadh-area park, backed by Saudi Vision 2030’s Public Investment Fund, includes five record-breaking thrill rides — led by Falcon’s Flight, the world’s tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster — along with twenty-seven family and interactive attractions designed to appeal to a broad range of visitors.
The launch of Six Flags Qiddiya City signals a significant milestone for the kingdom’s efforts to diversify its economy and develop leisure tourism.
The park’s high-adrenaline attractions and immersive themed lands are expected to draw both regional tourists and international guests as part of the wider Qiddiya entertainment megaproject.
Around the same period, another global entertainment giant announced plans to establish a major landmark attraction in the United Arab Emirates.
In May 2025, The Walt Disney Company and Abu Dhabi-based Miral revealed an agreement to build Disneyland Abu Dhabi on Yas Island — the first Disney theme park resort in the Middle East and the company’s seventh worldwide.
The waterfront resort, to be developed and funded by Miral with Disney’s creative design and operational oversight, will blend Disney’s iconic storytelling and cutting-edge technology with Emirati cultural influences.
Disney’s planned park is expected to feature themed accommodations, signature attractions, immersive dining and retail experiences, and bespoke entertainment tailored to the region’s audience, significantly enhancing the UAE’s position as a premier global tourism destination.
Strategically located within a four-hour flight of one-third of the world’s population, the park is anticipated to become a cornerstone of international leisure travel.
Together, these developments illustrate the Middle East’s burgeoning role on the global theme park landscape, with both Six Flags Qiddiya City’s opening and Disney’s planned resort highlighting the region’s appeal for major cultural and experiential attractions.
The momentum reflects broader trends in tourism investment, cross-border entertainment partnerships, and the strategic ambition of Gulf states to cultivate vibrant economic sectors beyond traditional energy industries.
Six Flags officially opened Six Flags Qiddiya City in Saudi Arabia on December 31, 2025, marking the company’s first theme park outside North America.
The Riyadh-area park, backed by Saudi Vision 2030’s Public Investment Fund, includes five record-breaking thrill rides — led by Falcon’s Flight, the world’s tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster — along with twenty-seven family and interactive attractions designed to appeal to a broad range of visitors.
The launch of Six Flags Qiddiya City signals a significant milestone for the kingdom’s efforts to diversify its economy and develop leisure tourism.
The park’s high-adrenaline attractions and immersive themed lands are expected to draw both regional tourists and international guests as part of the wider Qiddiya entertainment megaproject.
Around the same period, another global entertainment giant announced plans to establish a major landmark attraction in the United Arab Emirates.
In May 2025, The Walt Disney Company and Abu Dhabi-based Miral revealed an agreement to build Disneyland Abu Dhabi on Yas Island — the first Disney theme park resort in the Middle East and the company’s seventh worldwide.
The waterfront resort, to be developed and funded by Miral with Disney’s creative design and operational oversight, will blend Disney’s iconic storytelling and cutting-edge technology with Emirati cultural influences.
Disney’s planned park is expected to feature themed accommodations, signature attractions, immersive dining and retail experiences, and bespoke entertainment tailored to the region’s audience, significantly enhancing the UAE’s position as a premier global tourism destination.
Strategically located within a four-hour flight of one-third of the world’s population, the park is anticipated to become a cornerstone of international leisure travel.
Together, these developments illustrate the Middle East’s burgeoning role on the global theme park landscape, with both Six Flags Qiddiya City’s opening and Disney’s planned resort highlighting the region’s appeal for major cultural and experiential attractions.
The momentum reflects broader trends in tourism investment, cross-border entertainment partnerships, and the strategic ambition of Gulf states to cultivate vibrant economic sectors beyond traditional energy industries.