The magic of Disney is coming to the United Arab Emirates. The Walt Disney Company, in collaboration with Miral Experiences, announced the development of a new theme park, the seventh Disney destination in the world, in Abu Dhabi. Below, we list everything we know so far about (and suspect about) Disney Abu Dhabi.
1 You’ll Find Disney Abu Dhabi on Yas Island
The new Disney park will be built on Yas Island. The history of this entertainment oasis dates back to 2006, when development began to transform its waterfront terrain into an entertainment destination within the region.
In addition to several theme parks, Yas Island features hotels, restaurants, event areas, sports venues, the Yas Waterworld water park, vertical wind tunnels, and the Yas Marina Circuit, a Formula 1 racing track.
2 This Won’t Be the Area’s First International Park
Yas Island already houses several theme parks based on international brands. Disney Abu Dhabi will share space with properties like Ferrari World, open since 2010 and known for its roller coaster, one of the fastest in the world.
You’ll also find Warner Bros. World, with attractions based on characters from the famous Hollywood studio such as Looney Tunes, DC superheroes, and Hanna-Barbera cartoons.
Even SeaWorld has its own theme park in Abu Dhabi, which also serves as a marine reserve and is notable as the first not to feature orcas or killer whales.
3 It Will Be an Independently-Run Disney Park
Miral Experiences, the entertainment conglomerate behind Yas Island, will develop, build, and manage the new Disney theme park.
Although it may seem surprising, this has precedent in the history of Disney parks. Four of the six current Disney Resorts around the world are owned by other companies, but their attractions are developed by the same official Disney Imagineers team.
We could even argue that this economic model allowed for the proliferation of Disney parks outside the United States.
Tokyo Disneyland, the first Disney park abroad, opened in 1983 as a result of years of negotiations with Japan’s Oriental Land Company (OLC). The company continues to operate the property to this day as part of the Tokyo Disney Resort, which includes Tokyo DisneySea.
4 Attractions Will Feature an Middle Eastern Touch
We can bet that Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and the gang will be part of the Disney Abu Dhabi experience.
As for the rest, both Disney and Miral were ambiguous about what else we’ll find in the new park, simply confirming their agreement. Even the impressionist concept art they shared reveals little beyond its central glass castle. Or could it be made of ice, like Elsa’s castle in Frozen?
“Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati,” said Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company. While Josh D’Amaro, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts chairman, described the project as “the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio.”
Based on other parks and Iger’s comments, we can speculate that certain classic Disney Park features, such as Pirates of the Caribbean, will be part of Disney Abu Dhabi, only adapted to the local culture.
For example, Space Mountain at Disneyland Paris features decor based on Jules Verne’s From the Earth to the Moon, while the Haunted Mansion at Hong Kong Disneyland is known as Mystic Manor with a more magical rather than supernatural vibe.
We’re betting that Aladdin will be found in the park as one of Disney’s prominent Arab-based properties.
5 The Park will Integrated Into Its Waterfront Location
Disney Abu Dhabi will be located at the north of Yas Island on the Yas Bay Waterfront on the Persian Gulf.
This factor, combined with the cultural importance of the sea to Arab culture, will allow Disney to develop a park unique in its repertoire that showcases water features without being exclusively a water park.
“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,” explained Josh D’Amaro.
At its worst, this ocean view will serve as a beautiful backdrop for Disney visitors to enjoy from its hotels and restaurants.
6 Innovative Technology Will Be Prominent
Despite moving forward with Walt Disney World’s expansion plans, North American Disney parks tend to be less innovative than their international counterparts. The reasons are usually economic (the company doesn’t want to take risks with its main source of revenue) and space (both resorts have limited land available).
Disney tends to be more lenient in this regard with its international parks, in part because they are partially or totally managed by third-party companies. This gives Disney Imagineers greater freedom and budget to apply their technological advances and crazy ideas. As a result, we get to dazzle at viral wonders like the Tangled-themed land at Tokyo DisneySea and Zootopia at Shanghai Disneyland.
The economic interests of Abu Dhabi (as well as its sister city, Dubai) spare no expense to create jaw-dropping, record-breaking experiences. Disney will undoubtedly benefit from all breakthroughs that will stem from their with Miral alliance.
7 We’ll Get to See Many of Its New Features Later at Other Disney Parks
This model even allows Disney to select from their successful attractions abroad and import some to the United States. Such was the case with TRON Lightcycle/Run, originally from Shanghai Disneyland, and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, launched in Disneyland Paris before being brought over to EPCOT.
Again, there’s a precedent for this, this time from Walt Disney himself. The Disney founder developed technologies such as his audio animatronic characters for several sponsored exhibits at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. He then incorporated them, along with his sponsorship model, into his theme parks.
Of course, some attractions will be strictly exclusive to Disney Abu Dhabi. Otherwise, the most intense Disney fans would only visit the closest parks and wouldn’t save up to travel to every Disney destination worldwide.
8 Disney Abu Dhabi Still Has No Opening Date
Ready to travel to the new Disney park? Don’t buy your Emirates boarding pass just yet, as the announcement doesn’t include an official opening date.
How long this takes will likely depend on several factors, such as how far along they are on pre-production and how many resources they have available. A realistic opening estimate could be summer 2030.
You Have Time to Travel to Disney Before It Opens in Abu Dhabi.
Rest assured, we’ll share Disney Abu Dhabi’s opening date and all its other updates as soon as they’re available. In the meantime, count on us as your expert travel advisors to help you plan your next magical getaway.
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Top image: © Disney/Miral.
