‘Its potential and its dreams’: Why Abu Dhabi won Disney’s first Middle East theme park resort
Dubai: Disney Abu Dhabi may still be an expanse of largely empty land, but Disney boss Bob Iger is already imagining what could rise from it. In newly released documentary Disney Worldbuilders , now streaming on Disney+, Iger stands at the future site of Disney’s first theme park resort in Abu Dhabi and talks about the thinking that led one of the world's biggest entertainment companies to the…
Disney Abu Dhabi is set to become the Middle East's first theme park resort, as revealed by Disney CEO Bob Iger in a newly released documentary. Iger, who stands at the future site of the resort, discusses the reasons behind Disney's decision to expand into the UAE. According to Iger, the location was a significant factor, as one-third of the world's population can reach Abu Dhabi within four hours.
He describes Abu Dhabi as an "oasis of the world" with qualities that make it a compelling setting for Disney's next chapter, including its design ethic and potential for limitless growth. The documentary also highlights Abu Dhabi's willingness to dream big and its ambition to develop a creative economy. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Miral, emphasizes the emirate's investment in the creative industries and its belief in the transformative power of storytelling.
The partnership between Disney and Abu Dhabi is seen as a mutually beneficial one, with Disney bringing its world-class storytelling and Abu Dhabi offering a vast audience, a design ethic, and a commitment to creativity. While the documentary does not reveal specific details about the rides or characters that will be featured in the Abu Dhabi resort, it underscores Disney's vision of turning an empty stretch of land into a magical place.
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