Disney Goes to Abu Dhabi: What We Know, and the Controversy

Our cover image was generated using ChatGPT this week. We think it didn't do a bad job of imagining Cinderella's castle in an Arabian style. We also don't think the castle in Abu Dhabi will look like this, given the concept art below.

Earlier this month, Disney announced the location of its seventh theme park complex, and it's depressingly far away.... for me.

That location, as you might have guessed if you read titles, is Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This makes this Disney's first theme park in the Middle East. The park will be located on Yas Island, nestled along the Persian Gulf, which is already a prominent entertainment destination, home to attractions like Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi.

The UAE has grown in tourism popularity in recent decades, with destinations like Abu Dhabi and Dubai, known for glamorous lifestyles, expensive shopping, and cutting-edge technology and architecture, so it isn't difficult to see why Disney would choose this fast-growing location for its next theme park. The strategic placement also puts this theme park within a four-hour flight or less for one-third of the world's population, meaning easy access for approximately 500 million potential visitors.

What Do We Know About the Park?

The project is a collaboration between The Walt Disney Company and Miral, an Abu Dhabi-based developer, and arm of the Abu Dhabi government, known for creating immersive destinations and experiences. While Miral will fully fund and operate the resort, Disney will provide creative oversight through its Imagineering team, and earn royalties.

While it may at first seem alarming that Disney itself is not operating a park, this type of partnership is not actually new for Disney, and is very similar to how its theme parks in Shanghai and Hong Kong are owned and operated. In Shanghai, Disney owns 43% of the park while the state-controlled Shanghai-Shendi group owns the other 57%. In Hong Kong, Disney owns 48% and the government owns the remaining 52%.

As far as the park itself, CEO Bob Iger has made statements similar to those made when Disney Shanghai was built, saying the park would be "authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati". So... what does "distinctly Emirati" mean?

On the positive side, our thoughts go to technology. Of all the places on Earth, the United Arab Emirates represents a boom in technology when it comes to tourism. In fact, in Dubai, tourists are getting what any Walt Disney World tourist has always asked for.... an air-conditioned outdoors. Well, sort of. Through creative architecture, Dubai is building an air-conditioned street, soon to be an air-conditioned outdoor shopping center where ventilation is strategically placed along with shade, encouraging airflow that cools guests. While this isn't a promise that Disney Abu Dhabi will be air-conditioned, we do know that several tourist attractions in the area are either indoors or closed during the hottest months of the year, when temperatures can reach 110-120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Concept art is so far somewhat non-descript and vague, but we think we see a castle that appears different than any castle we've seen before... Is it an air-conditioned version of Elsa's hide-away? We see at least one coaster, at least one mountain, and other spires in the distance as well. We're also picturing underwater rides in these coves we see in the foreground.

Concept art of Disney Abu Dhabi - copyright Disney

Controversy

The United Arab Emirates is one of the countries that banned Disney's latest movie, Lightyear, over a same-sex kiss. There is simply no tolerance in the UAE for this. In fact, consensual same-sex relationships are illegal and can face punishment including imprisonment if reported in the UAE.

Additionally, while the UAE does better than some of its neighboring Arab countries, women's rights, or lack thereof, are still a matter of concern. While men can divorce unilaterally there, women need a court order. While extra-marital affairs are illegal there, claims will only be punished if the male partner brings it forward. Women may need their husband's permission to work outside the home, travel internationally, or own property, though some say reforms are underway (We'll believe it when we see it).

All in all, on the Human Freedom Index, UAE is ranked 119 out of 165 countries (the United States is number 17 in comparison). This does raise some concerns for Cast Members at the new Disney theme park. Disney seemed, in previous years, to be very concerned with inclusion of their cast members and the different lifestyles their cast members may live, but there is no room in the United Arab Emirates for this.

In fact, Disney flat-out refused to build in the United Arab Emirates for years, though this was likely due to economic considerations more than a sense of moral obligation. Yeah, we said it and we're sorry. But Disney is a corporation as it has proven time and again. And this, too, isn't a first. Consider Shanghai and Hong Kong, the two most recent parks prior to this new one. While Hong Kong is ranked 50 on the Human Freedom Index, Shanghai is ranked 150 (Again, out of 165).

Does all that mean we support Disney's decision to build in the UAE? No. We're concerned for cast members. But then again, they won't really be Disney employees. They'll be Miral employees. And for Disney, as a corporation, to choose any other location to build doesn't make as much sense right now, economically or technologically.

Also, if they don't name it Disney Dhabi, they're missing a golden opportunity.

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What do you think of the announcement of the new location for Disney theme parks? Does it put Disney closer to you or anyone you know? Tell us about it over on our Facebook page, where you can follow us to see when new posts drop. Until next time...