UAE now top contender for Epcot World Showcase expansion?

[LittleBuford]

Because they don’t know what to do with Morocco and it’s largely unused. Spice Road could stay as is, and that’s the only actual THING there.it would actually make more sense in an Emirati pavilion. The spice routes didn’t really go to Morocco.

As I said, they would have to knock down most of the architecture—which is in the distinctive style of the Western end of the Islamic world—and rebuild the pavilion from scratch. And that still leaves open the question of what Emirati landmarks would actually fit the otherwise historically informed World Showcase.

And not that it really matters, but the Spice Route actually did reach Morocco.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Abu Dhabi modern architecture is what Epcot's Future World should have been over the years.

There are some more "historical" places like Al Jahili fort and Qasr Al Hosn that can fit into World Showcase with modern interiors and maybe another theater show? Could fit in the small expansion pad between Morocco and Japan.

I suspect a ride would be included in a “look what we can do at Disney Abu Dhabi. Come visit” kind of way.

 

[ToTBellHop]

As I said, they would have to knock down most of the architecture—which is in the distinctive style of the Western end of the Islamic world—and rebuild the pavilion from scratch. And that still leaves open the question of what Emirati landmarks would actually fit the otherwise historically informed World Showcase.

And not that it really matters, but the Spice Route actually did reach Morocco.

This company has no problem demolishing underutilized spaces. It’s been clear for years that Morocco is on borrowed time.

 

[LittleBuford]

This company has no problem demolishing underutilized spaces. It’s been clear for years that Morocco is on borrowed time.

Unless you have solid insider intelligence on this, I am far from convinced by the notion that they’re about to demolish it. For one thing, they would lose their sole African pavilion.

Time will tell, I suppose.

 

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰ]

Unless you have solid insider intelligence on this, I am far from convinced by the notion that they’re about to demolish it. For one thing, they would lose their sole African pavilion.

Wakanda entered the chat

 

[Bocabear]

They should really create an all new Pavilion on one of the expansion pads... It should be as big a splashy as the UAE can afford....It should definitely have an amazing attraction, dining and shops. The first new country to joing the World Showcase in almost 40 years should be a big thing...not a tear out and re-do...Showcase needs more...not replacements....and having Morocco plus the UAE which are two very different parts of the world, should be the way to go.....if they decided to actually expand....

 

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰ]

They should really create an all new Pavilion on one of the expansion pads... It should be as big a splashy as the UAE can afford....It should definitely have an amazing attraction, dining and shops. The first new country to joing the World Showcase in almost 40 years should be a big thing...not a tear out and re-do...Showcase needs more...not replacements....and having Morocco plus the UAE which are two very different parts of the world, should be the way to go.....if they decided to actually expand....

That's great and all but where would Aladdin go, sir? - Disney exec

 

[LittleBuford]

Wakanda entered the chat

The optics of replacing a real African country—the only one in the current lineup—with a fake one are beyond what I think Disney is willing to risk.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Unless you have solid insider intelligence on this, I am far from convinced by the notion that they’re about to demolish it. For one thing, they would lose their sole African pavilion.

Time will tell, I suppose.

They were specifically discussing this with the Saudis as they developed plans for a Disneyland there. It was part of the deal. The deal fell through because the optics are better with UAE and the Saudi agreement would have required monetary investment from Disney.

 

[LittleBuford]

They were specifically discussing this with the Saudis as they developed plans for a Disneyland there. It was part of the deal. The deal fell through because the optics are better with UAE and the Saudi agreement would have required monetary investment from Disney.

I find it literally incredible that Disney was contemplating partnering with the Saudis. Stranger things have happened, of course, but without solid proof, I really can’t believe this was ever a real possibility. Unless I’m mistaken, you’re the only poster who’s referred to it.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I find it literally incredible that Disney was contemplating partnering with the Saudis. Stranger things have happened, of course, but without solid proof, I really can’t believe this was ever a real possibility. Unless I’m mistaken, you’re the only poster who’s referred to it.

And no one will admit to it obviously.

As I hear it, where Abu Dhabi is largely a licensing deal, the Saudi park would have been more of a partnership as we’ve seen from this company elsewhere, including countries with authoritarian regimes.

As you say, time will tell.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I find it literally incredible that Disney was contemplating partnering with the Saudis. Stranger things have happened, of course, but without solid proof, I really can’t believe this was ever a real possibility. Unless I’m mistaken, you’re the only poster who’s referred to it.

They also kicked the tires when Iger wanted to unload the entire parks division.

 

[LittleBuford]

They also kicked the tires when Iger wanted to unload the entire parks division.

I don’t understand what this means.

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

I don’t understand what this means.

Meaning, the Saudis (or a Saudi company) discussed purchasing the Parks division?

 

[LittleBuford]

Meaning, the Saudis (or a Saudi company) discussed purchasing the Parks division?

Your guess is as good as mine.

Had the purchaser been the Saudi government, that probably would have spelled the end of my visits.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Your guess is as good as mine.

Had it been the Saudi government, that probably would have spelled the end of my visits had it happened.

Then be thankful this UAE deal has shut the Saudis out for the foreseeable future.

 

[Disstevefan1]

In light of the Abu Dhabi announcement, it makes sense that Disney will want UAE's reciprocal involvement (and $ investment) in other Disney entities, like media production and parks. All of Disney's global parks have presence in Epcot, except for Abu Dhabi. There's not a lot of global countries who want to or can afford to pay-to-play at Epcot. UAE is flush with cash - seems like a shoo-in to me.

YAY! BRING BACK A NEW UNIVERSE OF ENERGY ATTRACTION!!!!!!

I OIL, GAS, PLASTIC

 

[doctornick]

Perhaps D+ is not the ATM they had hoped it would be

D+ is actually exactly what Disney has been predicting all along: operated in the red for years while it was being built up, now has been turning a profit in the timeframe that was expected. It's not going to be something that will generate massive piles of cash, but as long as it continues to make a profit consistency it is achieving its goal especially as linear TV and channels (which Disney was very dependent upon) diminish over time.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I don’t understand what this means.

Bob Iger tried to sell off Disneyland, Walt Disney World and Disney’s stakes in Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland. The Saudis were interested and he took the call.

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

Bob Iger tried to sell off Disneyland, Walt Disney World and Disney’s stakes in Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland. The Saudis were interested and he took the call.

What an idiot.