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By Nick Mordowanec
Staff Writer
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The newest Disney theme park will be set in Abu Dhabi, marking the company's first foray into the Middle East.
Why It Matters
Disney currently has theme parks and resorts in six different global locations: Walt Disney World Resort (Florida, United States), Disneyland Resort (California, United States), Tokyo Disney Resort (Japan), Disneyland Paris (France), Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (Hong Kong), and Shanghai Disney Resort (China). The locations in total feature 12 theme parks.
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What To Know
The Walt Disney Company and Miral, a development company involved in entertainment and destination attractions, announced a deal Wednesday to create a new Disney park resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Disney's newest offering will be a waterfront resort on Yas Island that officials say will connect global travelers from continents and countries including the Middle East, Africa, India, Asia and Europe. The deal "will combine Disney's iconic stories, characters and attractions with Abu Dhabi's vibrant culture, stunning shorelines, and breathtaking architecture," according to officials.
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"This is a thrilling moment for our company as we announce plans to build an exciting Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, whose culture is rich with an appreciation of the arts and creativity," The Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger said in a statement. "As our seventh theme park destination, it will rise from this land in spectacular fashion, blending contemporary architecture with cutting-edge technology to offer guests deeply immersive entertainment experiences in unique and modern ways.
"Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati—an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment at this crossroads of the world that will bring to life our timeless characters and stories in many new ways and will become a source of joy and inspiration for the people of this vast region to enjoy for generations to come."
Newsweek reached out to The Walt Disney Company for additional remarks.
The park development is not part of the $60 billion that Disney aims to invest in its theme parks over the next decade, according to CNBC.
"We're not pinning down a date yet," Iger told CNBC's David Faber on Wednesday morning regarding the timeline for construction. "It typically takes us between 18 months and two years to design and fully develop and approximately five years to build but we're not making any commitments right now."
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Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, said in a statement that "Abu Dhabi is a place where heritage meets innovation, where we preserve our past while designing the future."
"The collaboration between Abu Dhabi and Disney demonstrates the remarkable results of combining visionary leadership and creative excellence," Al Mubarak said. "What we are creating with Disney in Abu Dhabi is a whole new world of imagination—an experience that will inspire generations across the region and the world, creating magical moments and memories that families will treasure forever.
"Through the development of unique attractions and experiences, Abu Dhabi continues to be a destination of choice for the world."
Abu Dhabi is fitted to meet the expected tourist demand, officials add, considering the UAE being about a four-hour flight within one-third of the world's population. The UAE is also home to the largest global airline hub in the world, with approximately 120 million passengers traveling through Abu Dhabi and Dubai each year.
Miral will fully build, develop and operate the new park resort, while Disney "Imagineers" will lead creative design and operational oversight.
What People Are Saying
Josh D'Amaro, chairman, Disney Experiences: "This groundbreaking resort destination represents a new frontier in theme park development. Our resort in Abu Dhabi will be the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio. The location of our park is incredibly unique—anchored by a beautiful waterfront—which will allow us to tell our stories in completely new ways. This project will reach guests in a whole new part of the world, welcoming more families to experience Disney than ever before."
Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO, Miral: "Bringing a Disney theme park resort to Yas Island marks a historic milestone in our journey to further advance the island's position as a global destination for exceptional entertainment and leisure. Together, we are creating a place of boundless innovation, where the vision of our leadership continues to inspire the world."
What Happens Next
Upon completion, the park will offer Disney entertainment, themed accommodations, dining and retail experiences "that celebrate both the heritage of Disney and the futuristic and cultural essence of Abu Dhabi."
Disney executives made the announcement following good financial news for the company, which saw a successful second quarter in which its parks, cruises, resorts and consumer products showed 6 percent year-over-year revenue growth.
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