The Walt Disney company has been in the headlines for the past few days and has become the talk of the town as it has publicly announced plans to open a brand-new theme park in Abu Dhabi, its seventh park all over the world. Revealing the plans of developing a grand theme park will mark a key step in Disney’s worldwide growth, while making UAE a top hub for entertainment in the world.
First-Ever Disney Park in the Middle East
Disney’s latest theme park will be developed on Yas Island, the leading place for leisure and entertainment in Abu Dhabi. Besides Ferrari World, Warner Bros. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld, Yas Island will soon be home to the first Disney-branded park in the region called Disneyland Abu Dhabi. Therefore, Abu Dhabi will become one of the few places in the world with Disney and Warner Bros. theme parks within close reach.
A Strategic Partnership with Miral
The project is being developed in cooperation with Miral, which built many of Yas Island’s tourist attractions. Miral will manage the park’s finances and operations and Disney will use its brand and allocate creative designers while providing operational guidance.
“Abu Dhabi-based Miral is a developer well-known for bringing innovative experiences to the public. Yas Island is now one of the most lively tourism and entertainment centers in the area thanks to the company. Miral focuses on building high-quality theme parks, cultural centers and hotels as part of the UAE’s strategy to encourage more tourism and economic growth.”
The collaboration promises a well-planned balance of regional leadership and Disney’s storytelling and design expertise. CEO of Disney, Robert A. Iger claimed that the theme park will be “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati,” by beautifully blending local cultural influences and architectural inspiration from the UAE and much-adored Disney characters.
Major Attractions and Key Features
Disney believes this new park will feature the company’s most advanced and interactive technology. The company has indicated many core components, however they have not revealed the specific attractions.
- Areas and activities inspired by well-known Disney movies
- An updated version of the Disney castle, influenced by the local culture
- Hotels that have a unique theme
- The latest rides, dining, shopping and entertainment can be found there.
- Involving smart technology and green infrastructure
Various families, tourists and Disney fans from different places will enjoy everything the park offers.
Strategic Location and Global Reach
Flying from nearly one-third of the world’s population to Yas Island takes less than four hours and it’s just 20 minutes from the Abu Dhabi airport. As a result, people worldwide have the chance to experience Disneyland Abu Dhabi.
This decision is part of the UAE’s strategy to boost its economy by developing tourism, entertainment and culture. It allows Disney to enter a growing market that many families want to enjoy.
Expected Timeline
Disney has not shared a specific timeline yet, but according to Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro, the park is set to open anytime between 2030 and 2033 highlighting the complexity and scale of the theme park.
Before You Leave!
Disneyland Abu Dhabi is an ambitious project for The Walt Disney Company, allowing the company to reach new audiences abroad. Thanks to the magic of Disney’s stories and the excellent facilities of the UAE, the project will surely attract tourists from all over the world.
The world is eagerly awaiting to see what Disney will come up with as they work with the Middle East’s unique culture. For sure, Disneyland Abu Dhabi is likely to take the entertainment industry by storm in this region and potentially worldwide.
