Anyone else super disappointed...

[Dug720]

...at the Dubai announcement??

Given the criminality of homosexual activity in Abu Dhabi I'm very disappointed that a company who has been pretty visibly pro-LGBTQIA+ rights would enter into an agreement to build a park there.

What's next? Chick-Fil-HATE at Disney Springs??

 

[OKW Lover]

No more disappointed than the stance that FL is taking on LGBTQ issues

 

[Dug720]

They were already established in Florida before it went nuts.This is them choosing to go somewhere with a new build.

 

[OKW Lover]

They were already established in Florida before it went nuts.This is them choosing to go somewhere with a new build.

Lets hope its a foot in the door towards expanding rights for all.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Disappointed? Yes. Surprised? No. Disney is a spineless corporation who values money above all (and yes, I know this isn't exclusive to Disney but they're the subject of this thread).

 

[gsdweller]

They are after Market Share. Most travelers in the Middle East are afraid to vacation in the West. It is unfortunate, but that's the way it goes.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

They are after Market Share. Most travelers in the Middle East are afraid to vacation in the West. It is unfortunate, but that's the way it goes.

Agree, while I am an ally and personally have decided against visiting that part of the world, from a business point of view it makes great sense. Also this venture will not be 100% The Walt Disney Company, it is a licensed park , the same as in China with The Oriental Company.

What they are doing is giving the Disney themepark experience for a local market, for the local people, those who live and work in that region. The target market are not Americans and most definitely not the American LGBTQ+ community.
Disney is a global corporation, and the majority of their expansion and projects outside of America are not for Americans.

I remember back in 2022 When Disney Cruise Line announced the staycation cruise on The Magic for UK residents. Everyone here on Disboards said it was stupid and they wouldnt sell and it would be a disaster without the American tourists. Well not only were the staycation cruises a complete success, UK people now make up the majority of passengers on the August cruises and many now do the Caribbean and Bahmama Disney cruises.

 

[OKW Lover]

Also this venture will not be 100% The Walt Disney Company, it is a licensed park , the same as in China with The Oriental Company.

Minor clarification here: The Oriental Company is for the two parks in Japan.

 

[PurplePencil]

Agree, while I am an ally and personally have decided against visiting that part of the world, from a business point of view it makes great sense. Also this venture will not be 100% The Walt Disney Company, it is a licensed park , the same as in China with The Oriental Company.

What they are doing is giving the Disney themepark experience for a local market, for the local people, those who live and work in that region. The target market are not Americans and most definitely not the American LGBTQ+ community.
Disney is a global corporation, and the majority of their expansion and projects outside of America are not for Americans.

I remember back in 2022 When Disney Cruise Line announced the staycation cruise on The Magic for UK residents. Everyone here on Disboards said it was stupid and they wouldnt sell and it would be a disaster without the American tourists. Well not only were the staycation cruises a complete success, UK people now make up the majority of passengers on the August cruises and many now do the Caribbean and Bahmama Disney cruises.

Except it’s not just American LGBTQ+ individuals that won’t go to the new park. Any LGBTQ+ individual won’t feel welcome in the country. Additionally, there’s not the best track record for Women’s Rights, so I’m sure many European Women will have reservations about visiting.

 

[gsdweller]

They are not interested in any Western tourists.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I think it's disappointing, but not surprising.

 

[DL1WDW2]

Disney is brave enough to support everybody All Welcome at the happiest place on earth…Every year I am delighted to attend the live performance of religious holiday music at EPCOT .
We won’t experience change without being brave through-out the history of the World …We don’t have to travel there to create the Force

 

[gsdweller]

I think it's disappointing, but not surprising.

Why do you think it is disappointing?
It is not Disney's money paying for the park.

 

[kylenne]

I’m not surprised at all tbqh as Disney has done a lot of questionable things for money in the past but this announcement has really exposed the hypocrisy and selective outrage of the theme park community. None of this seemed to be a problem for folks when they paid to line up for hours to ride that Hagrid ride or buy butterbeer, directly funding crusades to stripping trans people of their rights in the UK. It’s funny to me where people draw their lines in the sand.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

I’m not surprised at all tbqh as Disney has done a lot of questionable things for money in the past but this announcement has really exposed the hypocrisy and selective outrage of the theme park community. None of this seemed to be a problem for folks when they paid to line up for hours to ride that Hagrid ride or buy butterbeer, directly funding crusades to stripping trans people of their rights in the UK. It’s funny to me where people draw their lines in the sand.

Agreed. As an ally, I also find it very interesting how the new EU is such a big deal and everyone is falling over themselves to be at previews, show the merch and ride the rides. Yet, the Middle East Disney Park is causing all sorts of pearl clutching.

The cognitive dissonance is just something to behold, how there is no correlation between the excitement and hype for EU and the person who created The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and what she is using the money for in The UK.

Its been over 10 years since I went to The Harry Potter Studios in London. I would love to go back and see the updates, as they have created something really cool and unique with the original movie sets and props, but I have drawn a line in the sand and I am not prepared to give any more money to that franchise.