The Walt Disney Company reported second-quarter earnings for fiscal year 2025 on Wednesday, with CEO Bob Iger spotlighting a strong first half of the year and unveiling one of the most ambitious expansions in the company’s theme park history: a seventh Disney resort destination, set to rise in Abu Dhabi.
Speaking from the UAE capital—now officially the future home of Disney’s next global resort—Iger described the moment as “another great chapter in our storied history,” echoing the significance of Disneyland’s 1955 debut.
“This seventh Disney theme park resort will rise from the shores of this land in spectacular fashion,” Iger said. “It will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati—blending our beloved stories and characters with the region’s rich culture and cutting-edge architecture to create deeply immersive experiences for a new generation of fans.”
Iger emphasized that the move reflects the company’s forward-looking strategy:
“Our focus must always be on building for tomorrow as much as managing for today,” he noted, praising Disney’s ongoing momentum across its four strategic growth pillars.
Entertainment & Box Office:
On the studio front, Iger called out the strong performance of Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts, which opened last week and currently holds the No. 1 position globally. He noted it is “the best reviewed Marvel film in the last few years.”
Looking ahead, he expressed excitement over Disney’s stacked theatrical slate, which includes:
- Lilo & Stitch (live-action) – May
- Pixar’s Elio – June
- Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps – July
- Freakier Friday – August
- Zootopia 2 (Walt Disney Animation Studios) – November
- Avatar: Fire and Ash – December
General entertainment and news divisions also saw solid performance, according to the CEO.
Streaming & ESPN:
Iger reaffirmed streaming as a “core growth platform,” with ongoing enhancements focused on product experience and content discovery.
On the sports front, ESPN continues to surge, posting a record-breaking Q2 primetime viewership increase of 32% among the coveted 18–49 demo—driven by NFL, College Football, and the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.
Iger also teased more details to come on ESPN’s direct-to-consumer platform, hinting at imminent news regarding pricing and launch timing.
A Strong First Half
In closing, Iger called Disney’s FY25 performance to date “excellent,” crediting the company’s “disciplined and focused growth strategy” for delivering across key segments.
“We’ve made tremendous progress this quarter, and we’re just getting started.”
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