Disney Announces Plans for New Theme Park in Abu Dhabi
The Walt Disney Company has announced plans to develop a new theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, marking its entry into the Middle East. The resort, which will be located on Yas Island, will become Disney’s seventh global resort destination.
According to CNN, the new theme park, dubbed Disneyland Abu Dhabi, will be developed in partnership with Miral, an Abu Dhabi-based company. Disney Imagineers will lead the creative design and operational oversight of the project, which is expected to open in the early 2030s.
The theme park will be designed to reflect the local culture and will feature a unique castle that is different from the traditional fairytale-style landmarks found in other Disney parks. The castle will be a spiraling, crystal-like structure that will tower above the rest of the park.
Josh D’Amaro, the chairman of Disney Experiences, told CNN that the company is excited about the opportunity to bring a Disney theme park to Abu Dhabi. “Every time we open a new experience or a theme park… it’s really important not just to take a theme park that might exist somewhere else and plop it into the ground in that new area that we would be going into,” he said.
D’Amaro added that the park will be designed to be immersive and will incorporate the latest technology, including the use of Unreal Engine, a developer tool used in many Disney films.
The decision to build a theme park in Abu Dhabi is part of Disney’s strategy to expand its international presence. The company’s parks have been a key driver of its financial performance, representing 59% of its operating income in the 2024 fiscal year.
According to CNN, Disney’s parks have hosted more than 140 million guests globally in 2023, making it the largest amusement or theme park operator in the world. The company is also investing heavily in its streaming businesses, including Disney+ and Hulu.
In its earnings report, Disney reported a 7% increase in revenue to $23.6 billion and a 15% increase in operating income to $4.4 billion. The company’s entertainment streaming businesses performed strongly, delivering $10.7 billion in revenue and $1.3 billion in operating income.
The new theme park in Abu Dhabi is expected to be a major draw for tourists in the region. Yas Island, where the park will be located, is already home to several existing theme parks, including SeaWorld YAS Island Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, and Warner Bros. World.
Tom Bricker, co-founder of DisneyTouristBlog.com, told CNN that the new theme park will likely be a major success. “It stands to reason that, as with other such projects, Disney’s partners in Abu Dhabi will want to make a statement with this park, and have their Disneyland be the anchor that drives visits to Yas Island,” he said.
The development of the new theme park in Abu Dhabi is a significant move for Disney as it seeks to expand its global presence. With its focus on immersive experiences and cutting-edge technology, the park is likely to be a major draw for tourists in the region.
As CNN notes, the theme park industry is becoming increasingly competitive, with Universal announcing plans to build a new resort in the United Kingdom and Epic Universe opening in Central Florida.
Despite the competition, Disney remains confident about its prospects. “We continue to monitor macroeconomic developments for potential impacts to our businesses and recognize that uncertainty remains regarding the operating environment for the balance of the fiscal year,” the company said in its earnings report.
In conclusion, the new theme park in Abu Dhabi is a significant development for Disney as it seeks to expand its global presence. With its focus on immersive experiences and cutting-edge technology, the park is likely to be a major draw for tourists in the region. As reported by CNN, the park is expected to open in the early 2030s and will be a major addition to the theme park industry.
Source link
