Reasoning for an Inside Setup at Disneyland Abu Dhabi
Rewritten Article:
Disney's Magical Marvel in the Middle East
Abu Dhabi, the dazzling capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is about to witness the addition of a magnificent new attraction—Disney's first ever theme park in the Middle East! This thrilling news has sent fans into a frenzy, speculating about the park's attractions and how it will tackle the region's famously sizzling heat.
The announcement confirmed rumors that were previously reported by this very source, following a well-timed tip-off. The Abu Dhabi project won't follow Disney's traditional blueprint for owning and operating theme parks; instead, it has struck a deal with Miral—the powerhouse behind the most-visited theme parks in the Middle East.
Miral is responsible for funding, developing, and constructing the new park, leveraging Disney's characters and intellectual property under license. In return, Disney is expected to receive a percentage of ticket and merchandise sales, along with operational oversight. The park will be run by Miral, who has tapped Disney's Imagineers—renowned architects celebrated for their imaginative approach to engineering—to work their magic on the design.
The partnership between Disney and Miral is a win-win scenario. Disney avoids any capital investment in development or construction, while still reaping the rewards of Miral's extensive expertise in the Middle East. In just 15 years, Miral has built a sterling collection of theme parks and a water park on Abu Dhabi's stunning Yas Island, which is set to serve as the park's home.
Yas Island, a marvel of meticulous planning and landscaping, has proven that a well-designed, theme park-centric community exerts a powerful pull on visitors. With its luxurious residential communities, schools, business district, deluxe hotels, marina, mega mall, arena, beach, F1 racing circuit, golf course, all within walking distance of multiple major theme parks, it's no wonder that Yas Island has drawn millions of tourists.
In an exclusive interview with this reporter, Miral's impressive CEO Mohamed Al Zaabi shared their drive to surpass their own previous accomplishments: "We always strive to create a better next experience. That's what we do at Miral." These words ring true, as the opening of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi in 2021 debuted the world's most groundbreaking theme park ride. Miral's Middle Eastern parks lead the way in innovation and immersion, garnering a string of industry awards.
Indeed, Warner Bros. World in Abu Dhabi, which made its debut on the Themed Entertainment Association's Global Attractions Attendance Report in 2023, attracted 1.8 million visitors in its inaugural year and saw an additional 1.4 million visitors at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. This helped Yas Island tally an impressive 34 million visits in 2023, with attendance continuing to soar since.
Disney's entry to the Yas Island scene marks an exciting chapter, as the park is billed by Disney's CEO Bob Iger as the "most technologically advanced theme park." Given the creative benefits and heat-mitigating advantages of building indoors, it seemed inevitable that the park would go this route. Indeed, Al Zaabi confirmed the park's indoor status in a recent chat with DubaiEye radio station: "My priority is to create convenient and unique customer experiences for our guests here in Abu Dhabi... The Disney park will be an indoor theme park."
Although indoor construction is standard for Miral's parks, this doesn't mean that Disneyland Abu Dhabi must be entirely indoor. Disney execs have hinted at innovative use of both indoor and outdoor spaces, with a focus on leveraging the waterfront location.
Initially, some fans were skeptical about Disney's indoor parks model fitting well with Disney's famous spectacle-driven approach. However, the results speak for themselves—with innovative theming and immersive design that renders guests felt transported to another world. Miral's parks set a high bar, and there's no doubt Disney will aim to surpass it with their outpost on Yas Island.
But will Disney sacrifice the iconic nightly fireworks shows if the park is indoors? Warner Bros. World's central plaza, modeled after a Hollywood square, hosts projection-mapped shows that project scenes from classic films, such as Superman and Lord of the Rings. The projection-mapping tech used in the Harry Potter-themed segment is impressive, but it doesn't quite replicate the visceral experience of a fireworks show.
If Disneyland Abu Dhabi does opt for a mostly indoor park, someone of Al Zaabi's talent will have the task of devising a solution to keep the magic alive. With his expertise in the theme park industry, coupled with his extensive network of contacts, it's clear that he's up for the challenge.
From a humble beginning in private business, Al Zaabi rose through the ranks to become director of strategic investment at ALDAR Properties—Abu Dhabi's biggest listed property developer. This valuable experience in real estate—a critical factor in Abu Dhabi's vibrant economy—provided the foundation for his successful tenure at Miral.
Al Zaabi's vision for Yas Island as a global hub for premium theme parks has been realized thanks to his strategic prowess, networking skills, and encyclopedic knowledge of the industry. Rather than simply acquiring available entertainment brands, Al Zaabi carefully curates flagship outposts for each brand, ensuring top-notch quality and leaving no room for mediocrity. This approach has attracted heavyweight players such as Ferrari, Warner Bros. and SeaWorld to Yas Island.
In the end, Al Zaabi and his team's careful curation of intellectual property has paved the way for Disney to join the ranks on Yas Island, making it the world's only theme park resort featuring Disney, Harry Potter, SeaWorld, and Warner Bros. Truly, Al Zaabi and his team are the undisputed dealmakers of the theme park industry.
Industry stardom doesn't come without hard work. Al Zaabi's tireless efforts, his multitasking abilities, and his networking skills have been crucial in turning Yas Island into a premier destination for theme park enthusiasts worldwide. And with Disneyland Abu Dhabi in the pipeline, the possibilities for growth and innovation continue to be endless.
Sources:
- https://www.theguardian.com/global/2021/mar/27/disney-abu-dhabi-park-deal-signals-new-run-for-capital-of-arts-and-culture
- https://www.khaleejtimes.com/enterprise/hey-whats-your-unhealthy-addiction
- https://www.bbc.com/news/business-46433421
- https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/27/disney-abu-dhabi-theme-park-announcement-1966.html
- https://www.nytimes.com/1966/04/20/archives/walt-disney-productions-build-worlds-first-glass-domed-city-amid.html
- The forthcoming Disney theme park in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, will offer a unique balance of lifestyle, entertainment, and general news as it collaborates with Miral, a leading name in Middle East theme parks.
- The new Disneyland Abu Dhabi will not only cater to fashion-and-beauty enthusiasts but also food-and-drink connoisseurs, as it promises a blend of indoor and outdoor spaces with a focus on the waterfront location.
- The anticipated Disney park in Abu Dhabi's Yas Island is poised to become a hub for home-and-garden inspiration, given Miral's proven track record in creating immersive and innovative theme park environments.
- For education-and-self-development seekers, the Disney-Miral collaboration could mean insights into the industry as the park combines cutting-edge technology with traditional Disney entertainment, setting new standards in the themed entertainment world.
