Kevin Tsujihara, chairman and CEO, Warner Bros Entertainment and Al Mubarak at the signing ceremony.

A $1-billion Warner Bros theme park will open in 2018 at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island.

The park will include the world’s first Warner Bros branded hotel.

Construction is already under way and rides are in production, said Miral, a developer of destinations in Abu Dhabi, and Warner Bros.

Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi will bring together stories and characters from the studio’s portfolio of DC Comics Super Heroes universe including Batman, Superman and Wonder Women as well as Warner Bros cartoons such as Bugs Bunny, Scooby-Doo and Tom and Jerry. Guests of all ages will be able to step inside Gotham City and Metropolis, and experience the cartoon worlds of Looney Tunes, Hanna-Barbera and more, all under one roof.

Located alongside the world’s first Ferrari branded theme park Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, and the iconic Emirati-themed mega water park Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi will help Yas Island take its annual visitor tally from 25 million in 2015 to 30 million in 2018.

Miral chairman Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak said Miral’s investment in the theme park is estimated at $1 billion.

“By meeting the global, regional and local demand for a world-class entertainment destination, supported by an equally world-class travel and tourism infrastructure, we are fulfilling our ambition to drive visitor numbers and enrich the UAE’s appeal as a truly international destination that appeals to both residents and travelling guests. Miral is central to this development with a number of significant and exciting projects in the pipeline,” he said.