Disney will build theme park resort in Abu Dhabi

[Disney4me]

Walt Disney Co. is planning a theme park resort for Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, the company confirmed Wednesday. The attraction will be on the waterfront of Yas Island, already a leisure travel destination.

The new resort will be developed, built and operated by Miral, an Abu Dhabi-based developer. Walt Disney Co. and Walt Disney Imagineering will lead creative design and operational oversight. It will use Disney licensed properties.

Neither timeline nor theming were shared for the project on Wednesday.

“Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati – an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment at this crossroads of the world,”  Robert Iger, Disney’s CEO, said in a news release.  “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.”

Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, touted the opportunity.

“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,” he said. “This project will reach guests in a whole new part of the world, welcoming more families to experience Disney than ever before.”

“What we are creating with Disney in Abu Dhabi is a whole new world of imagination — an experience that will inspire generations across the region and the world, creating magical moments and memories that families will treasure forever,” said Khalifa Al Mubarak, Miral’s chairman.

The announcement came on the heels of Walt Disney Co. quarterly earnings report, including increases in revenue and operating income for its parks and destinations division.

This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.

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