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

[Sparrow'sLady]

Jasmine in a burka?

A hijab for all princess, for Minnie and Daisy, halal food for visitors, guest cannot show up in shorts and short sleeves, especially women. Homosexuals will not be able to show their "pride" like they do elsewhere.

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

I must say I am more than shocked by this. I believe homosexuality is outlawed in Saudi Arabia. Just doesn't seem like a very Disney like place to be.

This is why it's important for a progressive company like Disney to go into these regions. Also, the park will be built in the UAE (United Arab Emirates), not Saudi Arabia.

Islam as a whole shuns homosexuality. The country/region does not matter. The difference is, most of the ME will put you to death over it, where that does not happen elsewhere (with the exception of a few cases that have hit MSM).

 

[Minnie1222]

A hijab for all princess, for Minnie and Daisy, halal food for visitors, guest cannot show up in shorts and short sleeves, especially women.

I hope you're joking! I have been to Dubai (which is in the same country as Abu Dhabi), female tourists wear short dresses, tube tops, crop tops, mini skirts, etc. You can see for yourself on social media.

You only need to cover up at religious places.

Homosexuals will not be able to show their "pride" like they do elsewhere.

Not yet! But being exposed to us will hopefully speed up this process.

 

[imbelle]

Might as well ship all of the old non-PC Pirates of the Caribbean audio-animatronics over there so the "Rascals and Scoundrels" can go back to their female abusing, human trafficking ways.

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

Not yet! But being exposed to us will hopefully speed up this process.

You do not know much about Islam. Trying reading the Quran. It is a real eye-opener.

FYI - the very word Islam means submission. It is not a religion, it is an ideology.

 

[FanforDisney]

This is why it's important for a progressive company like Disney to go into these regions. Also, the park will be built in the UAE (United Arab Emirates), not Saudi Arabia.

How has it worked out in China? Seems like the issues in China still remain.

 

[Einstein509]

Jasmine in a burka?

Throw in Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Elsa.....

Overall, this is extremely hypocritical of Disney and another money grab. Money wins out over principles.

Notice my disapproval of Iger. This only reinforces it.

 

[Minnie1222]

How has it worked out in China? Seems like the issues in China still remain.

Progress takes time. Things could be much worse had China closed the country just like North Korea.

 

[Suger Mag]

You do not know much about Islam. Trying reading the Quran. It is a real eye-opener.

FYI - the very word Islam means submission. It is not a religion, it is an ideology.

the Bible is also an eye opener when you take it word for word. I would be careful about the very broad brush you are painting all of Islam with... unless you do the same with all religions... and assume that everyone follows everything to the word.

 

[Minnie1222]

You do not know much about Islam. Trying reading the Quran. It is a real eye-opener.

They are not bringing their ideology to us, we're bringing ours to them. Also, I think you're confused the UAE with other areas. In a country that is predominantly Islam, they allow the entire city of Dubai to be decked out in Christmas decorations. If that's not progress, I don't know what is.

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

the Bible is also an eye opener when you take it word for word. I would be careful about the very broad brush you are painting all of Islam with... unless you do the same with all religions... and assume that everyone follows everything to the word.

Such a lack of education. I am not even going to entertain this anymore.

 

[Suger Mag]

Such a lack of education. I am not even going to entertain this anymore.

Oh please....You make an ignorant statement about all of Islam and then want to run away and throw out an insult on your way out the door. I would be very happy to put my education against yours any day.

Islam is no more a monolith than Christianity. To pretend otherwise is displaying an astonishing amount of bias and bigotry.

I would be glad to continue this discussion in an appropriate forum like the controversial board where it belongs.

 

[jazzsmith]

it will be iconic.

 

[BrightMorningStar]

Disney will not own the Abu Dhabi theme park. Miral, a company based in Abu Dhabi, will fully own and operate the park. Disney will be involved in the design and creative oversight, but will not invest any capital. Disney's involvement will primarily be through licensing its intellectual property and earning royalties from the park's revenues.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Disney will not own the Abu Dhabi theme park. Miral, a company based in Abu Dhabi, will fully own and operate the park. Disney will be involved in the design and creative oversight, but will not invest any capital. Disney's involvement will primarily be through licensing its intellectual property and earning royalties from the park's revenues.

Thank you for repeating. This was said at the start of the thread. Disney is just expanding market share by licensing, and giving the people who live in The Middle East access to a Disney Park.

Theres a huge migrant population from Europe, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand in the Middle East. They are there for a few years to make money. Many of them most likely have never been to a Disney Park. But a Disney Park in The Middle East will give them a taste, and then like what happened with The UK market and the staycation cruises, they then convert to other Disney parks and other Disney products.

 

[LAS2AMS]

Such a lack of education. I am not even going to entertain this anymore.

I wouldn’t argue with people who believe Disney Magic is going to normalize homosexuality in the UAE… that’s some strong pixie dust someone’s inhaling!

 

[LAS2AMS]

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.

Gotta wonder how badly Disney regrets building in France and not Spain…