The Department of Tourism Abu Dhabi has welcomed Walt Disney Co’s just announced plans to develop its first Middle East theme park at Yas Island. It’s a landmark project that solidifies the Emirate’s position as a leading global tourism destination, it says. The project represents a major investment in the region’s tourism infrastructure.

Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro told USA TODAY the new theme park will be “like no other park that we've built before.”