First insight into building of Disneyland Abu Dhabi to come in new documentary
What goes into making a Disney theme park ? That's the question explored in Disney Worldbuilders , a new feature-length documentary that will be released on Disney+ on August 20. For audiences in the UAE, it will also offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse at Disneyland Abu Dhabi , as Disney continues work on its seventh theme park resort and first in the Middle East. The documentary's trailer…
Disney Worldbuilders, a feature-length documentary set to premiere on Disney+ on August 20, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the construction of Disneyland Abu Dhabi, the seventh theme park resort and first in the Middle East. Directed by Oscar and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Leslie Iwerks, the film features interviews with key Disney figures such as former chief Bob Iger, current CEO Josh D'Amaro, filmmaker James Cameron, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, animator Pete Docter, "Disney Legend" Jon Favreau, and former Disney Animation Studios chief creative officer Jennifer Lee.
The documentary trailer showcases Iger visiting the future Yas Island resort, where he shares his vision of creating a "wildly imaginative" theme park. Iger's comments, worn in the same attire as seen in his Instagram photographs from the site visit, emphasize the importance of dreaming big. The film delves into how Disney stories come to life, from screen to immersive attractions, and explores the development of new lands and resorts worldwide, including Disneyland Abu Dhabi.
As part of Disney's "capital-light" business model, Miral will fully fund, build, and operate the resort on Yas Island while Disney oversees creative development and receives royalties. Despite regional instability, Disney reaffirmed the project's progress in a letter to shareholders, maintaining that the strategic logic remains unchanged. The documentary highlights the long-term nature of such projects, with potential openings in the 2030s, and how Disney stories evolve from screens into real-life experiences.
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