That’s why Bob Iger, the CEO of Disney, recently made a totally unprecedented announcement. As such, the announcement frenzy began when he announced shared Disneyland/Disneyworld development in Abu Dhabi. This cutting-edge reincarnation of the classic theme park is so utterly determined to produce unforgettable experiences and grins for each person who walks through their gates. The decision to build in Abu Dhabi positions the United Arab Emirates’ capital as an emerging destination for global entertainment.
The new Disneyland would be anchored by a new, state-of-the-art castle, making it the first truly modern castle ever constructed by Disney. Iger was openly effusive in his enthusiasm for the project. He thinks it signals a new chapter for the company and the community. “I am excited for the UAE and Abu Dhabi. Bringing a Disneyland to a land in the world is, I think, a big deal and it makes a big statement and it’s just a great moment,” he said.
Focusing on quality and innovation, Iger touted this new effort as something that would “take the Disney brand to a new level.” To give you a taste of that, he mentioned that the new park will feature the most technologically advanced attractions that Disney has ever built. “So this will give us an opportunity to build something very, very high quality as evidenced by so much of what’s already been built here, but the most technologically advanced theme park that we’ve ever built,” Iger explained.
What you might not know is that Abu Dhabi has been selected as the next site for a Disneyland! In part, because of its strategic position as a crossroads of the world. That decision makes sense given Iger’s ambitious plans to extend Disney’s business and cultural tentacles around the world. He repeatedly underscored the ambitious and exciting vision of Abu Dhabi’s leadership for building the long-term capital of the future. This ended up being a key factor in Disney’s decision-making.
Miral, an Abu Dhabi government-owned developer, will manage the design and development of the new theme park. Chairman H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak said he was dedicated to delivering this project “as quickly as possible.” As a result, he emphasized Miral’s commitment to developing world-class attractions that truly connect with their visitors.
“At our core, our business is about developing smiles,” said AL Mubarak, underscoring Miral’s dedication to making visitor experiences unforgettable. He added that his continued support for this appropriations project really gulps. I’m very much about creating something for the next generation,” he explained. It’s a backwards legacy piece – but we are a part of something wonderful.
It was clear from Al Mubarak’s remarks that quality mattered. He promised that the new Disneyland would provide a uniquely enjoyable and unforgettable experience for each and every visitor. And, of course, no watering down on quality – not on our end, or on yours. We’re going to make sure that what we build here in Abu Dhabi is going to be special and it’s going to create everlasting smiles and memories for every visitor to come here,” he said.
With this announcement, Disney is poised to open its seventh such destination around the globe. This step will help entrench its leading role as a global entertainment powerhouse. This partnership between Disney and Miral reaffirms our commitment to bringing world-class, immersive experiences to Abu Dhabi.
