It has been reported that the Walt Disney Company has decided to launch a new theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi, making this one of the most ambitious Disney projects in the past decade and the company’s first attempt in the Middle East region. This new destination, eventually planned as Disney Abu Dhabi, will be located on the Yas Island, a popular entertainment city that already has Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi.
A Strategic Expansion into the Middle East
The Master Franchise Agreement will focus on a strategic expansion on the Middle East region for the organization, and will involve key areas such as marketing, operations, development and training.
This would be Disney’s seventh international resort and following the opening of the first Disney park in China only in 2016. It is a joint project of the Walt Disney Company and Miral, an Abu Dhabi-based company popular for designing unique experience destinations. Miral will alone build and manage the resort while Disney will be responsible for the creative content through its Imagineering department and will receive a percentage of the profits and service charges.
Incorporation of Disney and Emirati Culture
The plans for this resort are to combine not just generic Disney elements, such as the fairy tale animals, but also the cultural and architectural tradition of Abu Dhabi. The details of the rides have not been disclosed, but the park will include thematic travelling, themed accommodation, and waterfront projects. The theme of the design is designed with both indoors and outdoors and would have to fashion a way of overcoming the desert weather conditions that are prominent in the area in its attempt to suit the local and international market palate.
A New Era for Yas Island
Yas Island has become an entertainment hub in very short order and offers guests amenities like Warner Bros. World, Ferrari World, and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. The planned construction of a Disney resort indicates that the island is set to gain status as more tourist from all over the world will be attracted to come. Abu Dhabi’s geographical position, which is within a four hour flying distance from 350 million people, means the it has the potential to attract at least 500 million visitors.
Timeline and Future Outlook
Despite there is no word on when the store can open, the plans are being developed and drafted; usually the construction may take a bout five years. This initiative complements the general goals of the UAE to diversify its economy through tourism in the framework of the “Tourism 2030” program in which the number of visitors is planned to increase from 24 million in 2023 to more than 39 million in 2030.
However, the contemporary Disney is expecting to develop a new resort in Abu Dhabi that will infuse both Disney and the best of Emirati culture for any tourist from across the world who will be fortunate enough to visit the site.
