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

[britain]

Part of me was thinking, “Yeah, this Abu Dhabi park, with all its love of sophisticated technology and futuristic architecture, this could have a trickle down effect on helping the stateside parks’ Tomorrowlands.”

Then I remember the last time they built a new park in a city with the love of sophisticated technology and futuristic architecture, all we got out of it was one Tron clone in Florida.

I cannot believe that Disneyland’s Tomorrowland is STILL in such trashy shape!

I wanted to look at the real numbers here:

Shanghai Disneyland was announced on Nov 4, 2009.
SDL broke ground April 7, 2011 (put into perspective, that’s three days after the iPad was first unveiled)
SDL opened on June 16, 2016.

That’s about 6.5 years from announcement to opening.

The Tron clone for MK was announced on July 15, 2017. Construction began a year later, and it opened April 4, 2023.

So from SDL’s announcement (which is analogous to where we are right now with Disney Abu Dhabi) to a US park reaping any benefit from SDL’s development it was 13.5 years.

So let’s be generous and take a year and a half of Covid out of the equation. We are still looking at 12 years before something from Disney Abu Dhabi comes stateside!

Something else, like Fantastic Four, better be the source of Tomorrowland redo momentum, because waiting to go from Rocket Rods’ closure in 2000 to 2037 for some Abu Dhabi-inspired replacement is madness!

 

[Eric Graham]

I wanted to look at the real numbers here:

Shanghai Disneyland was announced on Nov 4, 2009.
SDL broke ground April 7, 2011 (put into perspective, that’s three days after the iPad was first unveiled)
SDL opened on June 16, 2016.

That’s about 6.5 years from announcement to opening.

The Tron clone for MK was announced on July 15, 2017. Construction began a year later, and it opened April 4, 2023.

So from SDL’s announcement (which is analogous to where we are right now with Disney Abu Dhabi) to a US park reaping any benefit from SDL’s development it was 13.5 years.

So let’s be generous and take a year and a half of Covid out of the equation. We are still looking at 12 years before something from Disney Abu Dhabi comes stateside!

Something else, like Fantastic Four, better be the source of Tomorrowland redo momentum, because waiting to go from Rocket Rods’ closure in 2000 to 2037 for some Abu Dhabi-inspired replacement is madness!

Hey,but count your blessings...You're getting Stark Flight Lab there and we're not....

 

[ChrisFL]

Hey,but count your blessings...You're getting Stark Flight Lab there and we're not....

we already had it and closed it

 

[lazyboy97o]

I wanted to look at the real numbers here:

Shanghai Disneyland was announced on Nov 4, 2009.
SDL broke ground April 7, 2011 (put into perspective, that’s three days after the iPad was first unveiled)
SDL opened on June 16, 2016.

That’s about 6.5 years from announcement to opening.

The Tron clone for MK was announced on July 15, 2017. Construction began a year later, and it opened April 4, 2023.

So from SDL’s announcement (which is analogous to where we are right now with Disney Abu Dhabi) to a US park reaping any benefit from SDL’s development it was 13.5 years.

So let’s be generous and take a year and a half of Covid out of the equation. We are still looking at 12 years before something from Disney Abu Dhabi comes stateside!

Something else, like Fantastic Four, better be the source of Tomorrowland redo momentum, because waiting to go from Rocket Rods’ closure in 2000 to 2037 for some Abu Dhabi-inspired replacement is madness!

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Soarin’ Around the World opened well before TRON.

 

[Eric Graham]

we already had it and closed it

thought it wasn't opening until 2028 est

 

[Disney Irish]

The Marvel deal for Islands of Adventure did not cover Universal Studios Japan as they didn’t build a full land. Had it been part of the Islands of Adventure agreement then Universal would still retain the global theme park rights.

Its been awhile since I looked at the SEC documents but I recall it covered Tokyo also but they didn't build it out fully as you mentioned, so lost it which is why Disney was able to push more Marvel into HK. So the only theme park exclusivity with Marvel IP is still with Uni for IOA in the Orlando area, the rest of the world is now open as far as I can find.

IMG Worlds of Adventure’s license predates Disney’s acquisition of Marvel. It is the same deal that was behind the Marvel theme park that had been announced for Dubailand.

Is it the same deal? I'd like to see it if its a public document. Because I couldn't find one that was specific to Dubailand, other than vague licensing references is Marvel's SEC filings prior to the Disney acquisition, which didn't indicate exclusivity unlike the Uni deal.

Oriental Land Company does not have a long history of exclusivity deals. Those really started with the three land expansion of Hong Kong Disneyland and they are not part of every project at a park with outside ownership.

Thank you for the info.

 

[ChrisFL]

thought it wasn't opening until 2028 est

it was a joke about Sum of All Thrills

 

[britain]

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Soarin’ Around the World opened well before TRON.

True, but they did not benefit Tomorrowland, which is my main complaint.

 

[BrerFoxesBayouAdventure]

or Muppets 3D, or Rivers of America

Or Dinoland USA. The list is endless really. I don't think they've ever cancelled a retheme/redo outright.

 

[European1992]

I think this will actually be a success. Yes, it is hot there in summer, but in the months of winter it is ideal. 3 continents around, many people will have the incentive to combine a visit to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

For years I have been on the edge of visiting Dubai, but my bf is not a fan so we always end up choosing another destination. Once this opens we will for sure go. Concept art suggests a unique experience, so it is another plus.

 

[Robbiem]

Have they announced an opening date? The development of the ideas for this park could take many many years before ground is even broken.....and then probably 5 years for construction....unless they have a bunch of direct-lift stuff all ready to go....2030 at the earliest I would guess..... Though who knows with Oil money they may be able to do it sooner....

Plenty of time to save up for the trip

 

[BrianLo]

True, but they did not benefit Tomorrowland, which is my main complaint.

It’s an issue of timing. Projects can be co-developed as we speak or shift from one resort to another. It has been happening a lot.

Tomorrowland will benefit when Tomorrowland is actually in line for serious funding. In the case of WDW that’s no time soon (in a massive coordinated way, not precluding individualized refurbs).

Disneyland… well maybe? I can’t imagine the next unknown project for the resort is again for DCA.

 

[AdventureHasAName]

This can't be a Disney project ... there's no seed & mulch on the concept drawings.

 

[AdventureHasAName]

I just can not wrap my mind around this Abu Dhabi Disneyland, gang! It seems very poorly thought out by Burbank and its senior executives.

$

 

[MisterPenguin]

Has there ever been a project THIS BIG / "Announced" that was scrapped by Disney? I don't see any reason why this won't happen.

If this doesn't take place it will not have been "scrapped by Disney."

Disney isn't building this park, Miral is.

Disney is just licensing the IP and providing whatever WDI staff and execs to help with the building and making it live up to Disney parks' standards.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

There’s never been a Star Wars hotel

You know what I meant…a SW playroom…

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Has there ever been a project THIS BIG / "Announced" that was scrapped by Disney? I don't see any reason why this won't happen.

Only one I can think of is Disney's America in Virginia that got pretty far along

 

[Lilofan]

Only one I can think of is Disney's America in Virginia that got pretty far along

Locals in VA stopped Disney America from being built. Not going to happen in Abu Dhabi.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Every project/decision in the world revolves around politics & social issues - how can we discuss any project then?

Of course it does…but the kids in the sandbox haven’t figured out to hedge that with tact yet…so it’s a no go

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Only one I can think of is Disney's America in Virginia that got pretty far along

Mineral king?