Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun - 2025 Edition

[lowlight]

Lots of other beloved US companies operate in UAE. Pretty much every American company. Coca Cola does so under the business name of Coca-Cola Al Ahlia Beverges, and are enhancing and expanding their facilities there. These facilities were built with whatever local labor practices exist, yet nobody is outraged by this.

If we're separating theme parks from the equation for some reason, then we need to be outraged at SeaWorld for building there, and Warner Brothers too. That's not to say we shouldn't hope and advocate for, say, women's rights in the Middle East. I'm pointing out that Disney is just doing what pretty much all other American companies have done forever: going after international markets.

You would be correct, if TWDC and Coca-Cola exhibited the same level of virtue signaling. One company led a years long campaign against an entire state over a piece of legislature, and then decided to plop down their IP in, and I quote, "a great place" and a "perfect fit", Abu Dhabi. The country that not only doesn't recognize LBGTQ rights, but outlaws it and will imprison you for it. The country that invites you to work building infrastructure for them, only to take your papers and never allow you to leave. That just let women have the "right" to drive a few years ago. It's a terrible country, full stop. People boycotted Florida for much less, with dozens upon dozens of threads of people "fearing for their lives" if they traveled to Disney World as a marginalized group, and a full year later we have broken out the marching band parade to cheer Abu Dhabi on. The hypocrisy of it all is so intriguing.

 

[Minnie1222]

People boycotted Florida for much less, with dozens upon dozens of threads of people "fearing for their lives" if they traveled to Disney World as a marginalized group, and a full year later we have broken out the marching band parade to cheer Abu Dhabi on. The hypocrisy of it all is so intriguing.

The big difference is we believe UAE is trying to move forwards while Florida is definitely rolling backwards.

 

[fatmanatee]

Getting to the point where it might be better to take the discussion elsewhere.

 

[fla4fun]

Can we debate what rides we think might work in an indoor Disneyland instead?

It’s all pretty small rides, though. I wonder what they’d do for large coasters…thinking Tron and Space Mountain, side by side with both queues fully indoors. What portion of the other rides/etc in the current Yas theme parks is outdoors versus indoors?

I got curious and went on Google Earth to see what the other attractions look like. For the most part, the parks are completely enclosed, however, there are roller coasters which exit and reenter the buildings. I suppose the reasoning is that even if the temperatures outside are extremely hot, you aren’t out in them for very long on a coaster.

 

[Sir Pellinore]

You would be correct, if TWDC and Coca-Cola exhibited the same level of virtue signaling. One company led a years long campaign against an entire state over a piece of legislature, and then decided to plop down their IP in, and I quote, "a great place" and a "perfect fit", Abu Dhabi. The country that not only doesn't recognize LBGTQ rights, but outlaws it and will imprison you for it. The country that invites you to work building infrastructure for them, only to take your papers and never allow you to leave. That just let women have the "right" to drive a few years ago. It's a terrible country, full stop. People boycotted Florida for much less, with dozens upon dozens of threads of people "fearing for their lives" if they traveled to Disney World as a marginalized group, and a full year later we have broken out the marching band parade to cheer Abu Dhabi on. The hypocrisy of it all is so intriguing.

There are many parts of your statement with which I disagree, but we are never going to agree so I won't bother formulating a full response. Instead, I suggest we take that line of debate to the "elsewhere" that a previous poster suggested.
All I'll say here is that my curiosity for what might get built there is not a "marching band parade to cheer Abu Dhabi" -- I'm not sure I'll ever go to this new park, I haven't even been to Shanghai (have privacy concerns), but I'm still curious about what this theme park could be.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I got curious and went on Google Earth to see what the other attractions look like. For the most part, the parks are completely enclosed, however, there are roller coasters which exit and reenter the buildings. I suppose the reasoning is that even if the temperatures outside are extremely hot, you aren’t out in them for very long on a coaster.

And on a coaster, the high speeds will make it feel not so hot also.

I imagine that this park would have more outdoor areas still than that Ferrari park. With it being a Disney Park, there would have to be some place from which to watch fireworks and probably projections; but since those are at night perhaps the dry heat is more tolerable enough at that hour.

 

[fla4fun]

And on a coaster at high speeds, it's not going to feel as hot either.

I imagine that this park would have more outdoor areas still than that Ferrari park. With it being a Disney Park, there would have to be some place from which to watch fireworks and probably projections; but since those are at night perhaps the dry heat is more tolerable enough at that hour.

I wonder if they could do something along the lines of the former dancing lights at DHS (Disney themed, not holiday themed) with projections added to the ceiling? All of these attractions are so close together, and the only open areas I can see for new builds are very close to existing structures. It may not be safe to do fireworks unless they build right next to the water and launch them from barges. Have they released anything showing where on the island the park will be built?

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Have they released anything showing where on the island the park will be built?

I think the concept art or something else suggested it would be waterfront. I saw there was a patch of land on the NW side of the island... and maybe there would be more reclaimed land, too?

And yeah, I think fireworks might be from barges. I'm also expecting some drone technology like what they used in the outdoor show last night that commemorated the announcement.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

But the construction is definitely a concern. For that reason, I was trying to look up how other projects on Yas Island were built though there isn't a lot of info at a glance. I did see that the Warner Bros. Park, which is owned by Miral, was contracted out to the Belgium-based Besix group for construction. They have a Fair Labour & Migrant Workers statement on their website, which is something? My hope is that Disney will negotiate some kind of worker safety guarantee.

I think this concern and other concerns are very valid. I think it's also important not to denigrate an entire country and its people while voicing specific concerns.

This is exactly why I think that those of us who are paying attention should communicate that we expect Disney to uphold the basic human rights of the people working on construction-- hopefully they would do it anyway, but if thousands of superfans remind Disney we care, maybe it marginally increases the odds they use a contractor with a real compliance program.

I have been to Dubai and this is very true. Lots of expats there as well. But they just want your tourist dollars, nobody is asking about lifestyles at the airport or anything. Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi are rather cosmopolitan (which doesn't excuse their laws, of course). Regardless I doubt few Americans will go as is the case with Disney's China parks.

I have actually wanted to visit Dubai (always been enchanted by the idea of an indoor ski slope in the desert), and if this somehow miraculously pushes the region towards more liberalization I would be thrilled to spend a week there and gladly eat my words (and apologize).

People boycotted Florida for much less, with dozens upon dozens of threads of people "fearing for their lives" if they traveled to Disney World as a marginalized group, and a full year later we have broken out the marching band parade to cheer Abu Dhabi on. The hypocrisy of it all is so intriguing.

I agree that there has been a major pivot (in an unfortunate direction) on Disney's part but I really don't think that the people who boycotted FL are the same people cheering Abu Dhabi. My guess is that many of the people most threatened/offended by Disney's politics are just spending less time at Disney (and here on the boards), so the people you have left are ones who aren't prepared to boycott Disney whether their politics shift one way or another.

 

[Minnie1222]

I have actually wanted to visit Dubai (always been enchanted by the idea of an indoor ski slope in the desert), and if this somehow miraculously pushes the region towards more liberalization I would be thrilled to spend a week there and gladly eat my words (and apologize).

Dubai has changed a lot in the past 20 years. If you visit during December, you'll be shocked to see the amount of Christmas decorations everywhere. What you see online is probably 5% of reality.

 

[wabbott]

I love this animal stuff. Reminds me of the old True Life Adventures movies from when I was a kid in the 50s.

https://eu.floridatoday.com/story/e...orld-otters-tigers-giraffe-addax/83509386007/

Disney celebrates Mother’s Day for all species. See video of adorable new additions at Animal Kingdom

Samantha Neely USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
5/9/25

• Walt Disney World is highlighting new animal mothers and babies at its Animal Kingdom theme park and lodge for Mother's Day.
• New additions include a giraffe calf, addax calves, a tiger cub, and otter pups.
• Animal Kingdom is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.

​

 

[fatmanatee]

Been a little while but Bioreconstruct is turning his attention towards WDW construction again.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1920885637613318281

 

[rotlex]

Extremely disappointing that Disney was such a force in fighting the "Don't say gay" stuff in Florida and is now happy about building a resort in a place where it is literally illegal to be gay. Getting harder and harder to give them our money.

 

[Gusey]

 

[Makmak]

Regarding the new park site choice, the first thing I thought of was how will they deal with the heat. But then I thought about many of the outdoor shopping areas I have been to in the region and they were open much later into the night and had air conditioned “streets” so perhaps that is the plan? I know they closed the beaches at Atlantis before midday because the heat made the sand a hazard….

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Regarding the new park site choice, the first thing I thought of was how will they deal with the heat. But then I thought about many of the outdoor shopping areas I have been to in the region and they were open much later into the night and had air conditioned “streets” so perhaps that is the plan? I know they closed the beaches at Atlantis before midday because the heat made the sand a hazard….

WDWNT reported yesterday that Miral confirmed that it'll be an indoor park

 

[Minnie1222]

WDWNT reported yesterday that Miral confirmed that it'll be an indoor park

That sounds wonderful! We won't have to worry about the heat and/or ride closures due to weather.
Did they mention hotels? I'd love to see an Agrabah-style beachfront resort.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

That sounds wonderful! We won't have to worry about the heat and/or ride closures due to weather.
Did they mention hotels? I'd love to see an Agrabah-style beachfront resort.

No idea. I imagine they will lean heavy on Aladdin stuff given that during the announcement celebration ceremony, they had an Emirati star do a duet of A Whole New World with a Broadway star. But afaik, all that's been announced is that the park will be indoor and that the castle will be the first modern Disney castle (makes me wonder if the Castle itself will be hotel, like a very stylized high-rise).

 

[Karin1984]

Yesterday in Disneyland Paris they reopened Studio 1, now named World Premiere. The big building/Main Street in the Studios.

Looking at the pictures, it is a nice new look. However, it is very dark in there, so great for people with nightblindness, because they want portray an evening in Hollywood. Cast members will always greet you with 'good evening'.

But overall, it was a cosmetic change. Still the same set up, 1 big store on the left, 1 big quick service on the right, with even the same-ish burger menu. The restaurant looks very nice, an outdoor terrace with fairylights, trees, etc. And it looks too nice to just serve burgers the menu could have been better, and mainly more modern. It feels like a themepark stuck in the 90s to open a burger restaurant.

I am also still a little baffled that they chose to model it to the Disney studios in California and putting all kinds of references in there a European audience will not know. A bit strange.

But it is good that it is open, because having a quick meal in the Studios was an issue during the refurb. Of a year. This cosmetic refurb took a year.

Finally what they didn't solve is guest flow. The building has quite a narrow walk way, and not a real issue now, as the Studios doesnt have a show at the end of the day. But guest flow is going to be a problem when the new area and the show opens. I hope they will create a new walk way out of the park.






Oh, also the statue and mural have been revealed at the back of the building. I would rather have it at the front to welcome people in. But with the sun light during the day, this is a better option.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Well isn't this lovely? And there are still DL CMs from the '50s and '60s, how neat.

Disneyland Cast Members Celebrate 70 Years of Happiness