The Walt Disney Company is helping to bring a seventh theme park to life in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The park will operate in collaboration with Miral, “Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences.”
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While the new theme park, currently referred to as Disneyland Abu Dhabi, will be fully developed and built by Miral, Disney Imagineers will lead creative design and operational oversight. Disney has a similar partnership with Oriental Land Co., which owns and operates Tokyo Disney Resort. Since the first announcement, Disney’s decision has been met with sharp criticism and logistical questions about how the theme park will operate on Yas Island. Now, new details confirm what Miral has planned for the landmark theme park.
Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be located on Yas Island, a spot known for entertainment and tourism. There are a few other theme parks on Yas Island, including SeaWorld Yas Island, Warner Bros. World Yas Island, and Ferrari World Yas Island (all developed by Miral as well). The theme park is intended to connect travelers from the Middle East and Africa, India, Asia, Europe, and more.
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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.” Further, Disney hopes to help build a park that is “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati,” echoing the phrase used in 2016 when Disney announced Shanghai Disney Resort.
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In a new interview with Dubai Eye 103.8, Miral Group CEO Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, DBA commented on his plans for the new park. While Al Zaabi did not go into detail about the specific lands, characters, or attractions planned for Disneyland Abu Dhabi, he did reveal that the park will be the “most innovative” and “most advanced” theme park yet.
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The park will be located near the water on Yas Island. 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.”
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Additionally, Al Zaabi noted that the park will be indoors. Miral’s CEO explained that he wants the arrival process at Disneyland Abu Dhabi to be “as convenient as we can” so that guests can easily arrive and enjoy as many rides as possible.
There is no opening date or timeline for this park yet. When it opens, Disney confirmed the new theme park 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
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If the park is 100% indoors, as Al Zaabi alluded, this would be a first for Disney. While all Disney theme parks incorporate a large portion of indoor experiences, every existing theme park features outdoor attractions.
Disney has already asserted that Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be quite large in scale. In an interview with CNBC, Disney CEO Bob Iger said, “And I will also say this is far more ambitious than anything that’s been built here. And that will be reflected not just in the size and in the quality, but in the sheer scale and in the — I think, diversity and I guess the array of experiences that will be offered. We’re not talking about anything small or anything in a box. This will be a significant theme park that we’re putting here.”
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We will continue to share updates as the project progresses. In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.
Disney Fans Raise Concerns Over Controversial Abu Dhabi Park Announcement
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Indoors! Quite ironic really. When Disneyland Abu Dhabi was announced I told a fellow Disney fan friend and she said “That’s good.Good weather there too.”