Miral is bringing a Disney theme park to Abu Dhabi

"Authentically Disney, Distinctly Emirati."

Sounds excellent use of the Emirati funds having the Tokyo model. Also great location I loved Yas, its all Hotels and Leisure and Theme Parks! Would make a great destination. I wondering if they will have the majority of it indoors, unlike WB and SeaWorld where its entirely indoors.

This should be an interesting pairing. No media company that targets children has been more liberal in pushing LGBTQ story lines than Disney (Lightyear, Onward, the initial cut of Inside Out 2, hell even Marvel made the Korg (the rock guy) gay), and Abu Dhabi is, shall we say, fundamentalist about their depictions of LGBTQ. And by fundamentalist, Abu Dhabi has banned not only whole movies (Lightyear, Onward) but specific content on Disney+. Lest we forget, homosexuality is illegal under UAE law. This isn't Japan, this is the Middle East, and it shall be very interesting in a post-Iger Disney, where LGBTQ themes may again be elevated in media content (including in cartoons); how Miral/Abu Dhabi react. I imagine there will be significant limitations on the IP/stories that are depicted in this park, and I imagine that the usual cross promotion that happens in Disney parks around the world, would be more limited in the UAE.

I mean, why not beat Universal to the punch, right? After the Universal UK announcement this seemed inevitable.

Imagine telling people in 2003 that Disney would be announcing a middle eastern theme park just 22 years later. No one would’ve believed you.

I think the most interesting part of this development will be how the park is designed to handle the immense heat of the region. Disney parks, especially castle parks, which this appears to be, have always been about the spectacle. Can Imagineers deliver a castle that has that "wow" factor without making it feel separated from the guest but also not looking like it's under a dome? I don't think Disney would allow Miral to build a park that simply places Disney attractions and concepts under a roof like has been done with Ferrari World, WB Movie World, and Sea World, so the way this park is designed will be very unique - perhaps they even utilize large covered, but not fully enclosed, areas that utilize climate control to manage temperatures (like the World Cup stadiums in Qatar).

I do think the only way a Disney park would ever come to this part of the world would be under a licensing agreement (i.e. not actually owned or operated by Disney), which should allow both sides to feel like they're getting what they need out of the new park. Miral gets the prestige and name recognition of the Disney brand, which should supercharge their existing entertainment options, while Disney expands their recognition to a completely new market while they sit back and watch the cash register ring since they're likely taking very little financial risk in building this new park.

Sickening.

I wonder how much the artist that makes all the blurry concept art gets paid to smash ketchup packets on a canvas.

Also looking at Google Maps there doesn't appear to be a big enough undeveloped area left on Yas Island for this park to be constructed Unless its very small! I wonder if they build on the vacant between Yas and the airport?

Good Lord

this... intrigues me. I know a little about abu dhabi and its not the happiest story. billions of dollars wasted because everyone ghosted. i can imagine abu dhabi has been waiting for something like this for a long time. also that concept art, (thanks json son) if anything like what it would be in real life, (although its not universal, i highly doubt it) this could be interesting. not enough to make me fly to abu dhabi, now that would be universal, and only if they did something truly epic. also, why is everyone so shocked about this?

Wow MLB Showing his True MAGA clown Hat colors.

Crying about Liberals and Disney. We all know you have a really small wiener, but do you have to show it all the time. Which means, you are scared of your own sexuality and seem confused. Hidden feelings buried deep inside burning to "come out".

Disney should not be in Abu Dhabi... Sell outs..

after studying the concept art, i can see what appears to be classic mon- oops i mean disney villains and zootopia, a weird crystal thingy (castle?) and... pirates?? everything else is paintballs. taking a closer look, its literally just assorted shapes in unrecognisable patterns. it makes me very frustrated, almost like they have no idea what they are doing

Why is everyone so shocked by this? Because a brand new theme park, from a theme park powerhouse, is being built in a place that illegalized LGBTQ relationships, women's rights, free speech. I don't know much about Abu Dhabi, but it's generally not a place that Disney should want to support. This seems like a "Hail Mary" to the rapid expansion of Universal.

Brian Emery, MLB is just telling the truth. For a company that is supposedly a champion of LGBTQ and women’s right to get into business with the UAE reeks of hypocrisy. Disney is all for inclusion but when given a huge check will look the other way when women are treated as 2nd class citizens and gays are prosecuted for just existing.

If I loved Yas Island before Sea World, now with SW and Disney it's going to be amazing. I can't imagine an outdoor park, but like others have mentioned, it's strange to imagine an indoor Disney park. WB, SW, and FerrariWorld are all fully indoors with the exception of a couple roller coasters. The same with IMG Worlds of Adventure in Dubai. Maybe it will be more like MotionGate or Bollywood where it's primarily indoors with some outdoor spaces.

I was hoping for an Aladin-inspired castle, but it doesn't sound like that's going to happen.

brian, please keep this about theme parks, also did i just hear velocicoaster fan say its ripe for universal? i like what their doing because if you don't pick a side, you pick everyones side

Many of us are wondering the same about where on Yas this will go. Some of us are eyeing Abu Al Habl Island as a Yas expansion for the Disney resort. It's just to the west of Yas Beach.

BTW, let's chill with the culture war and personal attacks. Disney chose Miral over big offers from others in the region (cough - Saudi - cough), in part due to Miral's track record of developing a resort that is welcoming to people of all backgrounds. And the UAE asks way fewer questions of its visitors than the US does.

Let's just get this straight. Disney is NOT building a theme park in the UAE, they're just licensing their brand and providing expertise to Miral, who already have the experience in both building and operating theme parks in the region. While this deal is very similar to the Tokyo Disney resort and Oriental Land Company, Miral is coming into this development with far more expertise and experience not only in the region, but specifically in developing successful theme parks under a creative license, including their previous licensing agreement with Sea World/United Parks.

I would expect that Disney's role in this development will be a bit more involved than Sea World, but aside from the overall design and creative direction of the park, Disney is just along for the ride here. Now, perhaps it's awkward that they've struck a deal with a company and municipality that doesn't necessarily share the same ethical standards as they do, but the business relationship here allows for some cover and distance from the social norms of the UAE. I also think it's valid to note to anyone criticizing this development that Disney actually owns and operates two (2) resorts in China, a country that similarly poses ethical and social challenges to what the Walt Disney Company would espouse.

As Robert notes, it's not like Disney has struck a deal with Qatar or Saudi Arabia, both of which pose far more ethical challenges than the UAE.

On the topic of “where this will fit on Yas island”, “will this park be indoors” etc, is there a chance that this isn’t really a full fledged Disney resort?

It’s been a long time since Disney went cheap on DCA and got destroyed for it. Maybe after years of throwing billions and billions at park improvements, they’re willing to give “the cheap option” a shot again.

I’m imagining a smaller, indoor, dupe of Disneyland Shanghai, with the same lands (Treasure Cove, Adventure Isle, etc) and the same emphasis on 21st century IP over the classics. The stuff Miral has worked on looks solid, but it’s definitely a step down from the quality most of us expect from Disney.

Honestly though, I don’t think Disney cares anymore. For them, the cash flow is too good to pass up on, so they’re willing to possibly hurt the brand if it helps the bottom line for the next decade. That’s all that matters now.

This is great! I had always been interested in visiting the Middle-East, especially UAE. Warner Bros World, Ferrari, Sea World plus a distinct region of the world was enough to get me over there and now Disney is in the mix. Count me in! It's always exciting to follow a major theme park through its development, like Epic Universe soon Universal UK, and this one will be fun to follow from a design standpoint especially considering the indoor aspects of the park.

It's a good day to be a theme park fan today! (But like it was mentioned earlier, that concept art... probably better to not have anything as the backdrop, c'mon now!)

With multiple Marvel franchises featured in the announcement video, I am guessing that whatever licensing agreement the Mouse had with IMG Worlds of Adventure won't limit the attractions targeted for Disney Desert. I am wondering if a torn up contract and retheme of Marvel Indoor Theme Park was a condition for Iger agreeing to build on Yas Island.

As many mentioned before hard pass for me! Never going to spend money in the UAE until they join the 21st century. I will say though out of the other options the UAE is probably the best option for a Disney park since they have the most chances of coming out of the middle ages when compared to the others.

Rant aside I'm excited to see another new park and what attractions they will chose and what they will look like. Also if its a real Disney park what style of castle will they chose. Don't think they would do it but an Aladdin inspired one would be nuts!

I think Robert is right the park is most likely going to Abu Al Habl Island because Yas island is already pretty full.

@Juan. I had the same thought.

I'm curious how "large" the park will actually be. The concept art is...very vague, but I'm wondering if it will be more in line with the smaller secondary parks (Walt Disney Park in Paris).

I worked for Disney for a long time and i'll just say this, the entire time I worked there this was a hard no. Even Bob Iger, when asked in interviews, tried to respectfully shrug it off. The negative PR was a major concern.

Well whats changed? The cable business (Disney's cash cow) disappeared, 5 years of stock decline, declining tourism in the US, a looming recession. All of a sudden the free money from the oil rich nation doesn't seem like such a bad idea. I'll leave it at that.

Also having Josh D'Amaro do that CNBC interview with Bob Iger...interesting. That's the first time i've EVER seen Bob Iger do an interview like that (20+ years) with someone sitting by his side and Bob deflecting several of the questions to. Almost like they are trying to hint at something.

Despite “better” offers on the table Iger, as the head of a public corporation, was still probably given an offer he couldn’t refuse. Any guesses as to the cost? In a region known for its extravagance and likely wanting to make this the flagship resort for the area I would guess in the 10-15 billion range for the build out. Epic, a park both parties likely have interest in trumping, cost 7 and was probably used as a starting point. Regardless, it will be fascinating to see what imagineering comes up with given essentially a blank check. Hopefully, construction of this park doesn’t delay the plans for the state side parks where cost in this economic environment is certainly a concern.

Three things:
@The_man - I agree with everything you wrote. Five years ago building in the Middle East would have been unthinkable, as it was for the likes of Sea World and Six Flags. Disney was above it, and they were buttressed by the cash cow of ESPN and the rest of the cable assets. Cable isn't what it once was, as is evidenced by Comcast spinning off their assets and the impending direct-to-consumer ESPN. I also watched the interview, and thought that Josh sitting with Bob might be a wink and a nod signal.

@Brian - Grow up. Seriously, just grow up. Your personal attacks are both petty and quite juvenile. I also find it ironic that someone from the "enlightened left" used the adult equivalent of a child on a playground calling a boy gay as his putdown. I would think that someone as "enlightened" and "left" as you are would think that being gay was above being used as a putdown.

Finally, while Emirates Air is one of the largest airlines, and Dubai International Airport one of the busiest in the world; I would still not take my wife and daughter to the UAE. I certainly would not take my family to China, and the UAE, while better than Saudi Arabia Qatar, would still be a hard pass at least for now.

Let's face it folks, another huge dose of Disney hypocrisy putting the $ before their so-called liberal principles. When will people see Disney for what they really are, a successful corporation governed by shareholders and not this holier than thou bastion of morality. There's nothing wrong with being a hugely successful corporate entity but stop keep banging the drum the way they do on DE&I. Let's revamp Splash Mountain because of the message it portrays but invest in the UAE with its total intolerance of DE&I. It is farcical to the extreme.

Personally, if they were going to have another Disneyland then UAE Yas Island is as good as anywhere in the world and will be joining a Cat A list of theme parks. But the question, how many visitors from outside the UAE will they get as the UAE is not a cheap place for a holiday? It may be the only non-family orientated Disneyland and focussed exclusively on oil & gas construction workers.

@MLB - You can fly Etihad directly into Abu Dhabi and bypass Dubai altogether.

The cost of going to the UAE is surprisingly affordable, especially if you time it right. I spent double going to Europe for the same amount of time as to the UAE, and I stayed in a nice hotel with a 2BR/2BA suite with living room and full kitchen in the UAE versus barely passable hotel rooms in Spain and Italy.

It sounds like some of you think the UAE is Saudi Arabia 20 years ago. You would be surprised how modern it is. Yes, it's totally vain and superficial and there are some outdated beliefs and poor treatment of foreign workers, but I lived there with my family for a few years and didn't have any issues nor knew anyone who did. My wife dressed as a respectable Westerner and never had issues. If you expect the world to be up to our standards, then you're limiting your life experiences and worldview. The UAE is the first place where I felt like a global citizen because of all the unique cultures around me.

@Brofessor:
That all sounds a little too level-headed and restrained for these here parts. I suggest you mash that “edit” button and come back with some proper vitriol lol

Everyone knows they look the other way for western visitors/work immigrants with a "don't ask don't tell" type scenario.

Personally I have chosen not to visit for this reason, and unless there are fundamental changes (which i'm sure there won't be by the time this opens), I will continue to not visit. But that's my personal choice and I personally don't get mad at people that go.

I will add that there are places that are poorer and anti LBGT that I actually would go, but I wouldn't go there on vacation as a tourist to visit their commercial attractions, i'd go there more of a nomad curiosity educational experience type thing (which I think we can all agree UAE is definitely not).

Well, guess the speculation was right. If you were to ask me where in the world the 7th Disney resort was going to be built, the United Arab Emirates would not have been one of my top picks, but I can't say it's a bad place to choose. Dubai is the world's busiest airport outside of the United States, and while not a top destination for Americans, the region sees a ton of tourism from Eurasia. The question is going to be whether there is enough an an overlap between those who would vacation in Abu Dhabi and those who would be interested in visiting a Disney theme park, because the attendance levels of the currently operating parks in the region strongly suggest the local market is quite small.

MLB - I did not call you gay – Just stating facts of the feeble weak minded Kool-aid drinking clowns crying about inclusion. Only the scared confused folks talk about LQBTQ rights all the time and complain about Disney hiring them.

Wait a minute is the Ron DeSantis burned account?

Big Yawn you are so predictable – this is too easy.

Brian - Your petty attacks are laughable. Your lack of intelligence is eclipsed only by your belief that you are somehow "winning." You are a personification of the Dunning-Kruger effect.

This deal grosses me out for more reasons than have already been stated on here. The migrant worker abuses in UAE have been described as modern slavery. Then add the intolerance, discrimination, and abuse toward LGBTQ+ people and women. Robert, I know you want to keep the discussion on the park, but a lot of fans feel let down by this announcement.

Also, can I say from a climate analyst's perspective, it's stupidly short-sighted to build so much in a country highly vulnerable to climate change. It's like announcing Disneyland Key West.

MLB – you got me – you Big bad sexually confused intelligent man. I am so overwhelmed, exhausted, overcome with your superhuman intellect.

Please stop, I am scared.

I have you 100 percent figured out and you are lost here. You spend all your time thinking about a pathetic response – and I laugh at you…

Not a single mention of the human rights abuses that take place in UAE. It's clear that Robert has sold out to get free trips to Abu Dhabi. He has lost all credibility in reporting.

@MightyIrish - Not to condone or undermine those concerns, but I think there's something to be said for the UAE as the most progressive regime in the region, and a place that has a strong desire to be accepted and looked upon favorably by the West.

I can't tell you whether Robert is getting comped his flights or doing so on his own dime, but if Miral, a highly reputable creative company with connections to former Imagineers and others in the theme entertainment industry, called YOU and asked you to fly around the world for a press event that you were to confidently confirm was likely a Disney announcement (and that only a handful of US-based journalists would be there), you'd probably jump at the chance, just as Robert did. Ethics aside, this site has been about the industry FIRST, and while politics occasionally find their way into the discuss (both as a positive and as a detriment), this was clearly a BIG announcement for the industry as a whole and deserves the coverage that it is receiving.

Personally, I feel that over time the presence of Disney in the region will serve to elevate the reputation of the UAE and Abu Dhabi more than the ethical conundrums will impact Disney negatively - a rising tide lifts all ships. Disney is the crown jewel and stamp of approval for the UAE as a global family vacation destination.

"there's something to be said for the UAE as the most progressive regime"

Best of the worst is still bad. Yeah, they're not the Saudis, who outright kill Robert's fellow journalists, but they are not great when it comes to freedom of the press, either: https://rsf.org/en/country/united-arab-emirates

From the Internet:

Foreign workers are often exploited, facing harsh working conditions, physical abuse, and passport confiscation, with limited access to legal recourse

IE - They use slave labor... Imported from India and Pakistan....

The Middle east is Horrible...

Glass houses, gents.

Russell,

"A rising tide lifts all ships".

Never heard that before but love it. I need to include it in an e-mail or conversation by the end of the week.