Buckle up, folks, because we’ve got a major reveal that we’ve all been waiting for — a SEVENTH Disney Park has officially been announced.
A brand-new, landmark Disney theme park is being built in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, that will bring together guests from the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and beyond. Here’s everything Disney has revealed so far.
A new, waterfront Disney theme park is coming to the United Arab Emirates — specifically on Yas Island, in Abu Dhabi. This will mark Disney’s seventh theme park resort following Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, Hong Kong Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Shanghai Disney Resort.
The new theme park will be built in partnership with Miral Group, which is currently celebrating its 15th anniversary. This Abu Dhabi-based entertainment company specializes “in the creation of leisure and entertainment destinations” throughout the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The new resort will be developed and built by Miral, with Disney and its Imagineers leading creative design and operational oversight to provide the best experience. Miral will operate the resort (this is similar to how Shanghai Disney Resort operates).
“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,” said Robert A. Iger, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “As our seventh theme park destination, 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. Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati – an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment at this crossroads of the world that will bring to life our timeless characters and stories in many new ways and will become a source of joy and inspiration for the people of this vast region to enjoy for generations to come.” In the announcement, Iger referred to the park as Disneyland Abu Dhabi.
“Abu Dhabi is a place where heritage meets innovation, where we preserve our past while designing the future,” His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, said. “The collaboration between Abu Dhabi and Disney demonstrates the remarkable results of combining visionary leadership and creative excellence. 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. Through the development of unique attractions and experiences, Abu Dhabi continues to be a destination of choice for the world.”
“This groundbreaking resort destination represents a new frontier in theme park development,” said Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Experiences.
Once the park is completed, it will offer signature Disney entertainment, themed accommodations, unique dining and retail experiences, and storytelling in a way that “celebrates both the heritage of Disney and the futuristic and cultural essence of Abu Dhabi.”
Miral is behind the development of Yas Island and is already responsible for the creation of SeaWorld Yas Island, Ferrari World Yas Island, Warner Bros. World Yas Island, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, CLYMB™ Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina, and Yas Bay Waterfront.
However, the response to this new park announcement has largely been mixed. Fans who live near the park are excited, while others have concerns that Disney is partnering with a government that is so different from Disney’s goal of 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.”
It wasn’t too long ago that Disney butted heads with the Florida government regarding the Parental Rights in Education bill, also known as the Don’t Say Gay bill. Disney has also made a very clear focus on ensuring a comfortable and accommodating work environment with its Inclusivity Key, so choosing Abu Dhabi as the location for this new park is proving to be controversial.
While this project is still in the early stages and Disney hasn’t revealed too many details thus far, we’ll be on the lookout for additional news and updates about this new theme park. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to AllEars for the latest Disney news and more.
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What do you think of this news? Tell us in the comments.
I’m a lifelong OG fan and parks vet for both coasts. The real pandemic nightmare for me and many of us began when every Disney park on the planet closed, signaling that something horrible was really happening. Now, after the unaffordability controversies of Bob “Paycheck” and with everything finally getting back to normal in the American parks, Bob Iger essentially tells every gay and Jewish Disney fan and cast member in America that they don’t matter. I always wondered if Disney would ever lose me. Today was the day.