Disney4me Posted 12 hours ago Report Share Posted 12 hours ago Disney just announced that it will be building a landmark seventh theme park in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). ©Disney The new resort will be located on Yas Island, a spot known for entertainment and tourism, and Disney has announced it will partner with Miral Group to bring it to life. While Disney has kept most details about this new park to itself so far, we do have a rough idea of when it might open! 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.” ©Miral In the announcement, Disney CEO Bob Iger referred to the park as Disneyland Abu Dhabi, and it was confirmed that 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 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. Disney hasn’t revealed too many details about the new park, but in an interview with CNBC, Iger gave some insight into an expected timeline. We do know that Imagineers will design the park and have oversight, and the design process is expected to take anywhere from 18 months to two years. After that, it’s possible that construction of the park could take another five years — but Disney isn’t officially committing to a timeline. ©Disney Exploration of this project started back in 2017, but it wasn’t until 2024 that Miral made a “passionate pitch,” which led Iger and Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro to take their first trip to Abu Dhabi. Negotiations on the project began in spring 2024, so it seems like this deal came together relatively quickly. ©Disney During the May 7th Disney earnings call, just shortly after the new park was announced, CEO Bob 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, “We did study the region very carefully and we know that we had many opportunities…Obviously, building a theme park in a location is a huge endorsement of that location. It speaks volumes in terms of the ability of that location to sustain a theme park.” ©Disney However, the response to the announcement has been mixed. While some fans are excited — especially those living near the new park — others are concerned about Disney partnering with a government that seems to go against what Disney has previously maintained 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.” ©Miral Disney went through a battle with the Florida government regarding the Parental Rights in Education bill, also known as the Don’t Say Gay bill, in the not-so-distant past. The bill did pass, despite Disney being the largest employer and taxpayer in the state and voicing its opposition. Disney later dropped a lawsuit against the state for what the company viewed as retaliation with the takeover of Disney’s special taxing district. The company has also made a very clear focus on ensuring a comfortable and accommodating work environment with its Inclusivity Key, so the choice of Abu Dhabi as its next park destination is controversial. Yas Island Celebrates Disney Theme Park Resort Show We’ll keep an eye out for the latest updates on Disneyland Abu Dhabi and beyond. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more Disney news. Disney Fans Raise Concerns Over Controversial Abu Dhabi Park Announcement Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you planning a Disney World trip? Tell us in the comments.The post When Will Disneyland Abu Dhabi Open? first appeared on the disney food blog.View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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