Disney unveils plans for a novel theme park in Abu Dhabi, marking their first foray into a new resort in decades.

Disney unveils plans for a novel theme park in Abu Dhabi, marking their first foray into a new resort in decades.

Updated Article:

Yo! The Walt Disney Company has made some big moves and announced the creation of a new theme park, conveniently located in the happening spot of Abu Dhabi, UAE. This badboy will be known as Disneyland Abu Dhabi and marks Disney's entry into the Middle East markets.

Disney, famed for their parks being a major cash cow, announced this bit of news on a high note, just days after reporting a strong second quarter earnings. These financial juggernauts are on fire! Their parks, representing 59% of their operating income in the 2024 fiscal year, have been a crucial part of their earnings, giving them the bread to expand in the streaming wars.

Despite a slight dip in domestic theme park attendance last year, things are looking up as US park attendance and revenue have increased, surging in the first quarter. The international markets have been key growth areas for Disney, with increased attendance and guest spending. However, the Chinese market has been a thorn in their side due to the ongoing trade wars and the subsequent fall in park attendance in Shanghai and Hong Kong, as well as a drop in international park sales in the first quarter.

So, why Abu Dhabi? Disney's Captain of Disney Experiences, Josh D'Amaro, spilled the beans to CNN in an exclusive sit-down with Candace Anderson. D'Amaro noted that the potential for 500 million individuals in the region to visit the park, coupled with the country's future-focused development, made it the obvious choice for their seventh resort. The fact that the Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports have plans to connect a third of the world's population within a four-hour flight sweetened the deal.

Now, let's talk about the nitty-gritty. The resort will be developed, built, and operated by Miral, an Abu Dhabi company, with Disney Imagineers leading the creative design and operational oversight. The initial project plan includes one theme park and an undisclosed number of hotels, but we're sure it'll be a blast nonetheless. Keep an eye out for an opening around the early 2030s.

Every Disney park needs to reflect its unique location, so expect dishes and design elements that pay homage to the Emirati culture. D'Amaro summed it up perfectly, saying, "Here in, in Abu Dhabi, we want the same thing."

Welcome to a Whole New World

Abu Dhabi's airports aim high, and it seems they're on the right track. With ambitious plans to connect a third of the world's population within a four-hour flight, that includes the 1.4 billion people living in India, many of whom would be able to travel a shorter distance to Abu Dhabi than to Disney's parks in Shanghai or Hong Kong.

Tom Bricker, co-founder of DisneyTouristBlog.com, thinks the combination of constraints and a blank canvas will make this project "really exciting for Disney fans." He reckons it could even surpass Shanghai Disneyland, and we might not see an opportunity like this again in our lifetimes.

But, will Disney find success in Abu Dhabi? Dennis Speigel, owner and founder of consulting firm International Theme Park Services, has his doubts. Speigel, who has consulted for investors in Middle East theme parks in the past, warned that the Middle East has seen its fair share of hits and misses when it comes to theme park development. While Disney has picked a good spot within the region, Speigel fears that overcapitalization and overdevelopment might haunt them, similar to what Dubai saw in the past.

A Dose of Tomorrowland

Disney promises that this new venture will be its most technologically advanced park, blending the future-oriented aesthetic of Abu Dhabi with top-notch tech. Expect the park to be a crystal-like structure, towering above the rest, with a first for Disney – a castle park directly on a waterfront. Disney is also planning to use cutting-edge tools like Unreal Engine to weave stories from film, game, and theme park into one mind-blowing experience for the guests.

This new theme park isn't Disney's first rodeo. They haven’t announced a new park since their 2010 Shanghai Disneyland project. But the Abu Dhabi announcement comes hot on the heels of Universal's news about their seventh resort, this time in the United Kingdom, and just weeks before Universal opens Epic Universe in Central Florida. Disney doesn't seem too worried about the competition, though. D'Amaro shrugged off concerns that the new competition would hurt foot traffic at Walt Disney World, saying, "Anything adds more tourists coming in."

Disneyland Abu Dhabi has been in discussions for about a decade, and it looks like it's finally time for the magic to unfold! With more than 140 million guests globally in 2023, Disney's theme parks continue to dominate the amusement and theme park industry, attracting millions of tourists every year, making them the most visited theme parks on Earth.

So, grab your Mickey ears and come along for the ride as we wait for this new chapter in Disney's never-ending story to unfold!

1. The Walt Disney Company, fresh from reporting strong second quarter earnings, announced the creation of Disneyland Abu Dhabi, their entry into the Middle East markets.
2. Despite a slight dip in domestic theme park attendance last year, Disney's international markets have been key growth areas, with increased attendance and guest spending.
3. The new Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be a blend of future-oriented technology and Emirati culture, promising to be Disney's most technologically advanced park.
4. Disney's Captain of Disney Experiences, Josh D'Amaro, chose Abu Dhabi for its potential to attract 500 million individuals and its future-focused development.
5. With ambitious plans to connect a third of the world's population within a four-hour flight, Abu Dhabi's airports aim to make travel to Disneyland Abu Dhabi accessible for many worldwide.

Read also: