Disneyland Abu Dhabi

[UniversalRBLX]

Also ngl, I know it's just concept art but I hate the design for their castle.

I'm looking forward to seeing what they end up doing here, it might be a mix of a traditional castle with Spaceship Earth-esque features? Based on the very rough initial art, it looks more like a beacon/lighthouse than an actual castle.

 

[belloq87]

Another international park?

Stunned it's not somewhere in South America, though. Maybe they don't want to cannibalize WDW.

 

[Jerroddragon]

This is not Disney's answer to Epic, this is Disney's answer to their own success of international guests asking for a Disney theme park closer to home.

Disney's answer to Epic is local with projects at DAK, DHS and MK (we're getting an Epic Universe number of experiences here FYI - 4 new E-tickets, 1 E-ticket retheme, and a collection of smaller experiences... and this doesn't include anything else in the works for the 2nd half of their "turbocharging").

I didn't say just Epic

My point is Disney is doing this......and nothing else

Like this doesn't really cost them anything so build something in the middle of America.

Universal is making exciting moves and Disney is making "safe" moves they would have with or without Epic.

Maybe Disney will just learn nothing but its sad USH can put on Fan fest and Disney be like, thats cool this changes nothing for us, our guests are fine with no live shows and Galaxy Edge feeling dead.

 

[rageofthegods]

India doesn't have as large a wealth base to dip into, it's also set to be more ravaged by climate change than the UAE so if you're building out a 20+ year investment you need to take that into account.

Point taken on wealth base, sure, but I'm not sure you should be investing in an oil state for twenty years either.

 

[Freak]

We’re getting Disneyland Middle East and GTA6 before Disneyland fixes Tomorrowland.

 

[Thatguyoverwhere]

My initial reaction to this, having recently visited Yas Island, is do they really plan to make it a conventional of outdoor theme park?! No one is going to want to be there for a good chunk of the year; it was uncomfortably hot even in April. That's why they made the other three main parks indoors.

It'll be interesting to see if Miral can make this more elaborate than SeaWorld and Warner Bros World, which I'd argue are two of the most immersive parks on Earth.

 

[Mad Dog]

Another international park?

Stunned it's not somewhere in South America, though. Maybe they don't want to cannibalize WDW.

Big money from Abu Dhabi is probably the primary reason. This isn't a somewhat joint venture like Shanghai, Hong Kong, and the 'original' Paris parks. Its like Japan, just a licensing agreement, so it's really a different animal. And, as you said, no danger to cannibalizing WDW. Disney can't lose with a deal like this. ....and it doesn't take away any of their expansion monies/budget. In fact it enhances their expansions since they'll write off some of the Imagineering costs to the work they'll surely charge the Sheiks for.

 

[HandsomePete]

Can’t even nail a sign up correctly, meanwhile in Abu Dhabi…

View attachment 26289

Wonder why I had AD on the brain last week, hmmm

I understand people who are conflicted given the region’s human rights record. That said, it will be quite interesting to see what WDI can do with what is practically sovereign wealth levels of money and appetite for growth.

The story really has nothing to do with Disney/Universal and is more about that area’s dramatic rise over the last two decades.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I didn't say just Epic

My point is Disney is doing this......and nothing else

Like this doesn't really cost them anything so build something in the middle of America.

Universal is making exciting moves and Disney is making "safe" moves they would have with or without Epic.

Maybe Disney will just learn nothing but its sad USH can put on Fan fest and Disney be like, thats cool this changes nothing for us, our guests are fine with no live shows and Galaxy Edge feeling dead.

I agree that Disney has been playing safe over the last few years, and I disagree with a lot of changes/projects they've made, but I think it's inaccurate to paint Disney as having done nothing these past few years.

Point taken on wealth base, sure, but I'm not sure you should be investing in an oil state for twenty years either.

They've diversified their portfolio over the last decade thanks to that oil money, building for a future with lower oil consumption.

My initial reaction to this, having recently visited Yas Island, is do they really plan to make it a conventional of outdoor theme park?! No one is going to want to be there for a good chunk of the year; it was uncomfortably hot even in April. That's why they made the other three main parks indoors.

It'll be interesting to see if Miral can make this more elaborate than SeaWorld and Warner Bros World, which I'd argue are two of the most immersive parks on Earth.

They mentioned it'll be a mix of indoor and outdoor experiences. It's right on the water too, which should help too.

 

[MikePat]

Forbes is reporting "Disneyland Abu Dhabi" could open by 2030 - Disneyland Abu Dhabi Expected To Open Within Five Years

 

[Viator]

Forbes is reporting "Disneyland Abu Dhabi" could open by 2030 - Disneyland Abu Dhabi Expected To Open Within Five Years

CNN too.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/07/business/video/disney-abu-dhabi-anderson-digvid

They are also teasing Fortnite to have a presence in this new park.

 

[Myah1220]

They couldn't do India?

India and Pakistan are now on the brink of war so probably not the right timing.

 

[Mad Dog]

CNN too.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/07/business/video/disney-abu-dhabi-anderson-digvid

They are also teasing Fortnite to have a presence in this new park.

Yeah. The sheiks have the money, and economic/tourist interest, to fast track the park.

 

[Myah1220]

I have many incredibly mixed feelings about this

Right?

Here's the thing does it surprise me? Not at all. UAE is incredibly wealthy and the biggest travel destination in the Middle East without comparison.

But just because I'm not surprised doesn't mean I don't still have great pause.

As a queer woman, knowing if I decided to make the trip that I'd already have two strikes against me in terms of my personal safety, means I am highly unlikely to take a trip there personally (frankly, Disney won't care about losing my money though, because they will have no shortage of wealthy businessmen and their families willing to make the trip.) It does bother me though - but again, doesn't surprise me - that Disney would without second thought, so readily put shareholders over human rights...and alienate two groups that largely make up their fanbase (Women and queer folks.)

But frankly...as a queer woman living in Florida...the politics here (have been and) are continuing to not be safe for women and queer people, so I guess you could say I'm already taking my chances living here and going to the Fl parks already...

Anyway...it'll be...interesting...

 

[AriGoldenstein]

I wonder how long they’ve been monitoring the success or failure of the Warner Bros. theme parks before deciding to jump into this themselves.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

But frankly...as a queer woman living in Florida...the politics are becoming pretty much the same, so I guess you could say I'm already taking my chances living here and going to the parks already...

The laws and penalties in UAE are significantly more intolerant and hostile than in FL by a few orders of magnitude. Not to dismiss issues in the USA and FL, but nothing like this.

 

[Myah1220]

The laws and penalties in UAE are significantly more intolerant and hostile than in FL by a few orders of magnitude. Not to dismiss issues in the USA and FL, but nothing like this.

No I know, and I do agree. I guess I was just being a little flippant about Florida because I'm also not happy with my home-state either.

 

[OrlLover]

Several thoughts…

1. Will this ever get built ???
2. Several attempts have been made to build in this region by different companies and they failed.
3. Makes sense to jump in the market since the area is so lucrative and booming.
4. Very controversial political and social implications if this does get completed.
5. Do they need another resort at this moment in time ???
6. USGB is definitely gonna open before this.

I'm also not happy with my home-state either.

Speak on it.

I can go on a full rant about this topic alone but rather not.

 

[haloPrism]

5. Do they need another resort at this moment in time ???

This announcement surprised me because it seemed like Disney was just going to focus on expanding the existing resorts for now. Honestly, I didn't think they would build another resort for another 20-30 years, if ever.

 

[alomar]

(that will definitely get built since Disney isn't the one footing the bill)

Silently stares at all the abandoned projects in the middle east........
I mean yes most likely it will but if they actually mean the 2030 opening, this thing will be breaking ground not terribly long from now (2026 for sure?)