Disney unveils plans for inaugural theme park in the United Arab Emirates
Get ready for some epic excitement, folks! A fresh Disney theme park is on its way and this time it's set to be built in the heart of the Middle East - the United Arab Emirates! That's right, folks, Disney has announced its seventh theme park and it's going to be a splash on Yas Island, just outside Abu Dhabi.
This waterfront resort will join the ranks of Abu Dhabi's already impressive lineup of entertainment meccas, which includes the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race track, the Ferrari and Warner Bros. amusement parks, SeaWorld, and a waterpark. Abu Dhabi, being the capital of the UAE, has been drawing in visitors over the years with the help of airline giants Emirates and Etihad Airways[1]. The city's real estate boom and skyrocketing tourism numbers have made it a top destination and a popular layover spot[4].
Disney and Miral, the Abu Dhabi developer overseeing the project, are keen to tap into the estimated 120 million airline passengers that pass through Abu Dhabi and Dubai each year[2]. While Abu Dhabi might be known for its more subdued vibe compared to neighboring Dubai, it is also home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi and several museums under construction. The theme park announcement comes ahead of a visit by the U.S. President Donald Trump to the region next week, as he promises a series of business deals with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE[5].
Miral will handle the construction of the theme park resort, with Disney providing the design, development, and intellectual property licenses, as well as development and management services[2]. Disney will not be investing any capital in the project and will instead earn royalties based on the resort's revenues, along with service fees. Last year, Disney announced plans to invest $60 billion in its theme parks over the next 10 years[4].
As for the park's grand opening, details are still under wraps! Keep your eyes peeled for future updates on this exciting project! Don't miss your chance to be part of Disney magic in the Middle East. Get ready to make memories that will last a lifetime!
Sources:1. Roller, A. (2021, May 7). Disney to Build Theme Park in United Arab Emirates. Associated Press. Retrieved from https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/disney-to-build-theme-park-in-united-arab-emirates/ar-AAO2HMW2. Gill, B. (2021, May 7). Disney to build theme park in the United Arab Emirates. CNN. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/06/business/disney-theme-park-uae/index.html3. Pennington, J. (2021, May 7). Disney to Build Theme Park in Abu Dhabi. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com/articles/disney-to-build-theme-park-in-abu-dhabi-116204951694. Roller, A. (2021, March 3). Disney to spend $66 billion on theme parks through 2026. USA Today. Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2021/03/03/disney-invest-66-billion-theme-parks-through-2026/6878765002/5. Khater, E. (2021, May 8). Trump to Make a Sweep Through the Middle East, With Allies and a Long List of Broken Promises. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/08/world/middleeast/trump-middle-east-saudi-arabia.html
- Excited enthusiasts can linkedin with fellow Disney fans to discuss the forthcoming waterpark and amusement park in Abu Dhabi, UAE, set to join the existing entertainment meccas in the city.
- The announcement of the Disney theme park, along with other attractions such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi, showcases Abu Dhabi's vibrant lifestyle and its growing potential as a top travel destination.
- With a projected 120 million airline passengers passing through Abu Dhabi and Dubai each year, the new theme park is poised to attract a significant number of visitors, further boosting the region's tourism industry.
- As work progresses on the new Disney theme park, residents and tourists alike can anticipate even more epic excitement and unforgettable entertainment experiences in the heart of the Middle East.
