NYT: Disney to Build a Magic Kingdom Theme Park in the Middle East

[irlandaise]

This bit of news got buried in the stockholders thread:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/07/...e_code=1.FU8.ZsMS.dv5s5FDybcmn&smid=url-share

 

[CarolynFH]

There’s quite a discussion going on already, starting page 22 of this thread: https://www.disboards.com/threads/disney-news-discussion-an-element-of-fun-2025-edition.3959700/

 

[irlandaise]

There’s quite a discussion going on already, starting page 22 of this thread: https://www.disboards.com/threads/disney-news-discussion-an-element-of-fun-2025-edition.3959700/

Well, okay, but that's such as wide-ranging thread that topics that deserve their own discussion in the Disney Rumors and News forum can get buried there. An announcement about an all-new Disney Parks site is certainly one such news item.

 

[HopperFan]

Well, okay, but that's such as wide-ranging thread that topics that deserve their own discussion in the Disney Rumors and News forum can get buried there. An announcement about an all-new Disney Parks site is certainly one such news item.

In all honestly we only have an announcement that Disney made a deal with whoever in UAE for a park with a rendering that looks like an abstract artist created it in a day. I don't believe it will be a traditional Disney Park without considerable changes (which I don't support). I don't believe they will be leaking anything substantial until they have gotten a fully approved design plan. We have nothing else. It will likely take years for them to agree on what can be built there and how to design it. We likely have nothing to discuss about the park the foreseeable future EXCEPT for the concerns regarding the location ... which belong on the Controversial Board.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

I posted this on another thread and reposting here

While I 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 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. 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 Bahama Disney cruises.

Despite all the various concerns about UAE, they are a major destination for huge amounts of people. Seaworld Abu Dhabi opened 2023 so Disney have seen there is a market. Whatever we may think about their culture, people there have the want and are willing to pay for an American style themepark.

 

[Karin1984]

What I find interesting is the difference in reactions:
1. Mainly Americans seem upset about the money going to the Middle East while Tomorrowland is breaking down.

Not really understanding that Miral will do the heavy lifting, they basically sold Disney to the Middle East. Maybe money will go to Disney because of this. Silver lining, perhaps

2. The reactions on social posts by EU Disney content creators from probably EU Disney fans are mainly about human rights.
Maybe that is because EU people are more used to travel and the Middle East is relatively close by. Closer than WDW.
Basically everyone from the LGBTQ community all say they want to go, but it is too dangerous. And even when some replies argue that it is not dangerous for tourists, it is about the principle to go back in the closet on holidays.

For me personally my concern are the stories about female tourists. Yes, in generally it is safe for me to travel there. But there have been cases where foreign female tourists have been SA'ed or worse, and they have been thrown in jail for premarital intercourse. Chances are small, but still.

And what I finally find interesting, China also has its human rights issues, but in 2010-2015 when announcing Shanghai the outrage was less than it is now. Maybe because the issues in the Middle East are better known than the issues in China. And/or the world has changed.

 

[BostonEd]

I don't believe it will be a traditional Disney Park without considerable changes (which I don't support).

Jasmine in a burka?

 

[HopperFan]

Jasmine in a burka?

Not what I meant but I do think character meets in the traditional Disney way probably won't happen. I've seen long term Disney CMs state that entertainment will likely have to happen on a different level and perhaps minimally from what is common now.

What I meant was I don't want to see attractions (rides) that are already established in other parks redesigned and changed from their story to fit. I would rather completely new attractions be developed for this park.

But in terms of your character choice I think the castle should be Jasmine's castle. Each new park should have new character castle.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Maybe that is because EU people are more used to travel and the Middle East is relatively close by. Closer than WDW.

Leaving aside all the other concerns, this I think is one big draw for Disney to this region. Im seeing more and more that this region is becoming a European holiday destination. Its got the sun, its got the resorts, its got the shopping and now its getting themeparks. Its also a gateway destination, between Australia / New Zealand and China / Japan. Thats a huge deal which I dont think Americans understand.

Also, all the outside America Disney Parks have made local changes, to cater for their local domestic market. A quick look at the Disneyland Paris section on here will show all the questions and complaints from Americans not expecting the French / European culture in a Disney park.

Disney parks outside America are not built and designed for Americans, they are for the the people who live there. Disney are just being very smart and expending to a new market.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Not what I meant but I do think character meets in the traditional Disney way probably won't happen. I've seen long term Disney CMs state that entertainment will likely have to happen on a different level and perhaps minimally from what is common now.

And whats so wrong about that? Thats what should happen, when you go to a different country you respect their culture and adapt and change your product for the local people.

What I meant was I don't want to see attractions (rides) that are already established in other parks redesigned and changed from their story to fit. I would rather completely new attractions be developed for this park.

But thats just not how it works. The park is not for you, its for the local people, so of course things which are one way in America should be changed to fit in with the local culture. Why would money be wasted on a perfectly good product that just needs a minor change? Why should the local people miss out on something from a different Disney park, that can be easily adapted for their culture?

 

[HopperFan]

And whats so wrong about that? Thats what should happen, when you go to a different country you respect their culture and adapt and change your product for the local people.

Never said at all that there is anything wrong with that. I actually would support Disney not attempting most traditional entertainment there.

Just said that those who work/worked for the company said that people should not expect the same as all the other parks.

But thats just not how it works. The park is not for you, its for the local people, so of course things which are one way in America should be changed to fit in with the local culture. Why would money be wasted on a perfectly good product that just needs a minor change? Why should the local people miss out on something from a different Disney park, that can be easily adapted for their culture?

It's funny because Disney doesn't build for local people, other than the OG DL. They build to bring in tourists, to fill hotel rooms, to fill restaurants, to sell lots of merchandise. I think one reason they are building this park is to tap in to money for the long term since the US parks are losing tourism.

Iger already said they are building this because of (1) it's central location to Europe and Asia and their ability to tap in to those middle class markets that can't make it to the US (2) the capital is being provided to them.

It is not being built as a local park but will have to comply with local standards. My issue is that if you can not maintain the integrity of an IP, a story, a character - then that should not be built there. Build what you can maintain and then look for other IPs that can be developed there within local standards.

 

[fatmanatee]

In all honestly we only have an announcement that Disney made a deal with whoever in UAE for a park with a rendering that looks like an abstract artist created it in a day. I don't believe it will be a traditional Disney Park without considerable changes (which I don't support). I don't believe they will be leaking anything substantial until they have gotten a fully approved design plan. We have nothing else. It will likely take years for them to agree on what can be built there and how to design it. We likely have nothing to discuss about the park the foreseeable future EXCEPT for the concerns regarding the location ... which belong on the Controversial Board.

I don't think there's anything wrong with having a thread about a fairly major news item, I know most of the focus is on the main thread but we have a whole board meant for this stuff. That said, it already toed the line into Controversial Board territory over there.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

I don't think there's anything wrong with having a thread about a fairly major news item,

Exactly. Its a business decision by Disney to expand their global market share. Of course its not going to be a traditional Disney park, non of the outside America Disney parks are. All have adapted and changed from the American cultural aspects to the cultural aspects of where they are located.

For example, one of the biggest changes Disney made when Disneyland Paris then Euro Disney was opened in the 1990's was the sale of alcohol throughout the parks. When the park opened, the restaurants did not sell alcohol , which at the time was how the American parks were. But very quickly they had to change and sell alcohol, as its very much part of French culture to have a drink with a meal.

Also with the design of Disneyland Paris, they had to adapt to the local weather and climate, put a roof over The Teacups, have an indoor corridor behind the shops on both sides of Main Street, as well as make a covered walkway from Main Street all the way to the back of the park and Pirates of The Caribbean.

So of course with this new park, they will adapt and change to the local climate and weather.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

What I find interesting is the difference in reactions:
1. Mainly Americans seem upset about the money going to the Middle East while Tomorrowland is breaking down.

Not really understanding that Miral will do the heavy lifting, they basically sold Disney to the Middle East. Maybe money will go to Disney because of this. Silver lining, perhaps

2. The reactions on social posts by EU Disney content creators from probably EU Disney fans are mainly about human rights.
Maybe that is because EU people are more used to travel and the Middle East is relatively close by. Closer than WDW.
Basically everyone from the LGBTQ community all say they want to go, but it is too dangerous. And even when some replies argue that it is not dangerous for tourists, it is about the principle to go back in the closet on holidays.

For me personally my concern are the stories about female tourists. Yes, in generally it is safe for me to travel there. But there have been cases where foreign female tourists have been SA'ed or worse, and they have been thrown in jail for premarital intercourse. Chances are small, but still.

And what I finally find interesting, China also has its human rights issues, but in 2010-2015 when announcing Shanghai the outrage was less than it is now. Maybe because the issues in the Middle East are better known than the issues in China. And/or the world has changed.

I don't think you're paying enough attention to people outside your sphere. If you think that being American means you only care about your first point then you're not paying attention. Your second point was the very first thing I even thought of as is every single other person I've talked with about this. You really think that being in Europe means you're the only one who thinks about these things?

The agreement is much like Tokyo but it's also a relatively unknown aspect so you'll have to forgive people for not understanding about an arrangement where it's strictly licensing being done and control and financing is not in the hands of Disney.

 

[Karin1984]

It is not being built as a local park but will have to comply with local standards. My issue is that if you can not maintain the integrity of an IP, a story, a character - then that should not be built there. Build what you can maintain and then look for other IPs that can be developed there within local standards.

I agree with that it is not going to be a park for locals as the true local community is relatively small. It will be attractive to the Indian community, over 1 billion people is an attractive market.

I am not as concerned about the integrity of the IP. I think they can find ways around it. In Tokyo there was a Little Mermaid show where Ariel stays under the sea as respecting your parents is a big thing in Japanese culture. Not exactly what Ariel did in her movie.

I assume they will either not have princes in the park with their princesses, unless marital status in the movie is clear or indicated. Those couples can probably hold hands, but Anna & Kristoff probably will not touch each other.

If they have a show like Beauty and the Beast in Hollywood Studios, they will probably not kiss at the end (although, did the kissing return after covid?)

You probably won't be able to meet Ariel in mermaid form, but also the other parks have been covering up their princesses. The advice for female tourists in UAE is to cover their shoulders and legs, and most female characters already adhere to this.