Disney is building a seventh landmark theme park in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The Walt Disney Company and Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, announced an agreement to create a landmark Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The waterfront resort will be located on Yas Island, a world-class destination for entertainment and leisure, connecting travelers from the Middle East and Africa, India, Asia, Europe, and beyond. This seventh Disney theme park resort will combine Disney’s iconic stories, characters and attractions with Abu Dhabi’s vibrant culture, stunning shorelines, and breathtaking architecture.
This new resort will be located on Yas Island, a spot known for entertainment and tourism, and Disney will be partnering with Miral Group to bring it to life. Disney CEO Bob Iger and Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro both helped to break the news, and it’s clear they’re thrilled about this project.
Disney’s new Abu Dhabi theme park is expected to connect travelers from the Middle East and Africa, India, Asia, Europe, and more. According to Disney, the theme park “will combine Disney’s iconic stories, characters and attractions with Abu Dhabi’s vibrant culture, stunning shorelines, and breathtaking architecture.” As part of the announcement, Disney CEO Bob Iger and Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro shared their thoughts.
The Walt Disney Company and Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, announced an agreement to create a landmark Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The waterfront resort will be located on Yas Island, a world-class destination for entertainment and leisure, connecting travelers from the Middle East and Africa, India, Asia, Europe, and beyond. This seventh Disney theme park resort will combine Disney’s iconic stories, characters and attractions with Abu Dhabi’s vibrant culture, stunning shorelines, and breathtaking architecture.
Iger said, “This is a thrilling moment for our company as we announce plans to build an exciting Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, whose culture is rich with an appreciation of the arts and creativity.” He continued, “As our seventh theme park destination, it will rise from this land in spectacular fashion, blending contemporary architecture with cutting-edge technology to offer guests deeply immersive entertainment experiences in unique and modern ways.”
©Disney
Iger referred to the park as Disneyland Abu Dhabi, and it was confirmed the new theme park resort will offer:
- Signature Disney entertainment
- Themed accommodations
- Unique dining and retail experiences,
- Storytelling in a way that celebrates both the heritage of Disney and the futuristic and cultural essence of Abu Dhabi
©Disney
Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Experiences, said, “Our resort in Abu Dhabi will be the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio. The location of our park is incredibly unique – anchored by a beautiful waterfront – which will allow us to tell our stories in completely new ways. This project will reach guests in a whole new part of the world, welcoming more families to experience Disney than ever before. Ultimately, it will be a celebration of what’s possible when creativity and progress come together.”
©Disney
D’Amaro also expressed, “This groundbreaking resort destination represents a new frontier in theme park development.” He also shared a video to the Disney Parks Instagram account, saying that he’s “going to have a lot more to share with [us] soon.”
Response to the announcement has been mixed. While some Disney fans — especially those in the catchment area for the new park — are excited, others are concerned about Disney partnering with a government that seems go against what Disney has stated as a goal: inclusivity.
According to Wikipedia, “Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in the United Arab Emirates face discrimination and legal challenges. Homosexuality is illegal in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and under the federal criminal provisions, consensual same-sex sexual activity is punishable by imprisonment; extra-marital sexual activity between persons of different sexes is also illegal. In both cases, prosecution will only be brought if a husband or male guardian of one of the participants makes a criminal complaint.”
With Disney having just been through a battle with the Florida government regarding the Parental Rights in Education bill, also known as the Don’t Say Gay bill, and adding a very clear focus on ensuring a comfortable and accommodating work environment with its Inclusivity Key, the choice of Abu Dhabi as its next destination is controversial.
We’ll be on the lookout for additional updates about Disney’s new Abu Dhabi theme park. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more.
Disney Dropped Some Major Clues About Its NEW Abu Dhabi Theme Park
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Basically this would be for the ultra rich. How many people who aren’t billionaires, ambassadors, politicians, or business people are the only ones who would travel there?