News Disney and Miral Announce New Seventh Theme Park Planned for Abu Dhabi

[JaKnight]

I think Miral, when it comes to selecting rides and IPs, will be like an OLCo but with an Arab twist — that is, they won’t have the problems Disney itself has with its own IPs.

I can perfectly imagine that, since they come from a culture with no political correctness, they won’t hesitate to request a Star Wars land based solely on the Original Trilogy, with no trace of the Disney characters (maybe only Mandalorian and Grogu). The controversial live actions? No, only the classic animated princesses. Sam Wilson as Captain America? No, only Steve Rogers. What’s problematic in the US isn’t in the Emirates.

I also find it funny to think that some additions might be made based on whims or personal tastes of the executives/sheikhs (and their kids!!). I can totally imagine a land dedicated to a specific princess because she’s the CEO’s daughter’s favorite, or to specific Marvel superheroes because they’re the favorites of some exec’s fanboy son.

 

[andysol]

We’ll make it a short layover trip at some point on a trip where we go from Europe to Asia just to go to a new disney park after having gone to all the other ones in the world.
But I’ll be offering as little support to that economy and region as I possibly can.

 

[Lilofan]

This is why I'm upset. I KNOW it will be

For the lucky ones that are able to visit I think it will be memorable. Many companies and countries have developed good relations, much investment with the Gulf Region including our country. They need us and we need them

 

[Dranth]

How does one “wear” no pants?

If you don't know, then you obviously haven't tried hard enough!

 

[Lilofan]

But I’ll be offering as little support to that economy and region as I possibly can.

Every time you fill up your gas tank, the Gulf Region says thanks!

 

[mkt]

Every time you fill up your gas tank, the Gulf Region says thanks!

*laughs in electric car and solar power*

 

[Agent H]

Is this not Elsa's ice castle?

No. I do not think It is.

 

[el_super]

Far from it, Disney is heavily involved, just as they are with Tokyo. It will be designed by Disney, and operationally supervised by Disney, However, the costs will be down to Miral.

I'm curious to see how this shakes out. There are a couple of different scenarios that I can imagine, but I don't know enough about the situation in UAE to know if it legally has to be one way or the other:

In Tokyo, Disney has 0% ownership of the parks and is responsible of 0% of operations. Disney maintains control standards over the use of their IP through those parks, and offer design and consulting services for park product, but OLC bears 100% of the cost.

For Shanghai and Hong Kong, Disney owns around 40% of the parks, but they are responsible for 100% of the operation of the parks. The owners pay Disney to operate the parks. Disney hires cast members and creates the operating procedures.

So I'm curious to know, even if Disney owns 0% of the Abu Dhabi project, what number (between 0% and 100%) will they be responsible for the operation of it.

 

[rd805]

Put aside all the baggage that comes with this for a minute.

Unless you live in the countries directly in the area around UAE I don't see how they can make any attractions that incentivizes a trip here vs any other Disney park.

I've often thought of a 3-5 day night trip to Dubai & Abhu Dhabi (rent a car and drive between); with it being a trip to hit at least 1 (if not 2-3) of the best parks - Ferrari World being an obvious choice. Ferrari World & a NEW Disney Park (I haven't been to Euro, Tokyo, China), would be a huge enticer for me.

 

[Orange-Bird]

The theme parks in Dubai are always very empty. Their water parks however are VERY busy.

I was thinking it would kind of be a hybrid park with sections having typhoon lagoon style water slides and the other side being like Magic kingdom just with more roller coasters and a regional theme.

 

[DonniePeverley]

India with a few billion people has a rising middle class. It’s less than a 4 hour flight to Abu Dhabi. Disney Abu Dhabi will attract the crowds. For us Americans some of us will never experience what it is like or experience another country since approx 1/2 of the USA population doesn’t even have a passport. Perhaps not see in person but many will view on social media courtesy of the YouTubers.

They literally built a theme park for indian visitors. No one came so they had to redo it into another bizarre decision called "real madrid world".

 

[Tha Realest]

Oof. This is quite the lede:

Access Restricted

 

[Ayla]

Oof. This is quite the lede:

Access Restricted

Glad someone is calling them out.

 

[LittleBuford]

Glad someone is calling them out.

I don’t think the article (of which I can see only a preview) is calling them out but praising them. The Telegraph is a conservative paper.

 

[MisterPenguin]

They literally built a theme park for indian visitors. No one came so they had to redo it into another bizarre decision called "real madrid world".

I dare you to make less sense.

 

[Comped]

They literally built a theme park for indian visitors. No one came so they had to redo it into another bizarre decision called "real madrid world".

It didn't help that the Bollywood park barely had any rides of note, a few good shows but barely anything else.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

Glad someone is calling them out.

Oh no, a post in a British "newspaper" behind a paywall. Whatever will a multi-national company that owns multiple television stations, movies, and other media distribution companies do?

Also where is the calling out part again? Is it the part where they talk about opening up a new park in what the article calls "A Major Tourist Hub"

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

No. I do not think It is.

I thought it resembled a lotus flower so I googled it and the lotus flower represents peace, enlightenment, self resilience, self improvement, and purity in the UAE.

Hard to tell anything from the very vague concept art but I wouldn’t be surprised if the castle isn’t a traditional castle like the other parks but more symbolic of the region.

 

[Andy Whitfield]

It’s disappointing more is not being said about the hypocrisy of a company championing inclusion making this move

 

[Bocabear]

It’s disappointing more is not being said about the hypocrisy of a company championing inclusion making this move

ARE they still championing inclusion? Seems like they have all fallen in line with the Administration now....