Disneyland to open region first Disney theme park in Abu Dhabi
That’s right: the UAE is set to welcome a new theme park; Disneyland. The park will be located in Abu Dhabi, which will serve as the regions first Disney theme park and seventh Disney resort worldwide. The theme park was announced in a special event on Yas Island, which will introduce the magical realm of Disney in the region.
“Throughout 102 years of the Walt Disney Company, there have been several defining milestones and achievements,” commented the CEO Bob Iger.
“One of them includes Disneyland's inauguration in the year 1955. In this remarkable location, we are ready to rejoice what we consider a fantastic moment, which is an announcement of an agreement to construct a Disney theme park in Abu Dhabi. Disneyland.”“I can see that everyone is very eager, and I am also very eager,” he added. “It will combine the cherished Disney stories and characters with the customs and flavors of this country and this region. It will act like a desert oasis of wonderous entertainment and experiences for millions of people at this crossroads of the world.”
The announcement came during the celebration of Yas Island’s 15th anniversary. “This is a extremely special day, an important milestone since the opening of Yas Island. We marked each and every one of the innovations developed across the years,” said Mohamed Al Mubarak, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism.
The new project dubbed ‘Disneyland Abu Dhabi’ will be the first Disney theme park in the Middle East, making Disney’s seventh overall after its parks in California, Florida, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.
Throughout the activity, Disney executives confirmed that the amusement park will be built within the Yas Island waterfront and will be easily accessed from major tourism hubs across the Middle East, Africa, India, Asia and Europe. This will also increase the number of theme parks at Abu Dhabi, following Ferrari World, Warner Bros World, and SeaWorld, shifting the island’s reputation toward a global entertainment centerpiece.Miral will manage the operations in conjunction with development, while Disney will handle the creative design and the development of the attractions to guarantee a world-class experience for guests. Iger described the venture as, “a cultural, entertainment and technological marvel,” remarking that the project situates Abu Dhabi as an ‘international crossroads’ and the ideal hub for Disney’s project.
Speaking at the opening of the development, Josh D’Amaro; Disney Experiences Chairman, noted that the resort would ‘push the boundaries of theme park design’ by employing cutting-edge technology and visionary architecture like a contemporary castle ‘unlike anything we’ve ever created.’
The expectation is that the resort will draw people from around the globe which will elevate Abu Dhabi's status as a premier cultural family tourism destination. Per the report by Business the new park is part of Disney’s aggressive $60 billion spending plan over the next decade on its Parks and Experiences division which shows the strategic importance that the company has earmarked towards expanding its global presence in key strategic geopolitical areas.
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