Okay, so by now you’ve definitely heard the happiest news on earth, Abu Dhabi is getting its very own Disney Theme Park Resort project. That’s right, Disney is bringing its iconic, thrilling and just insanely fun family attraction to the Middle East and the UAE has been selected as the host site. 

Abu Dhabi will be one of only seven destinations across the world with a Disney-themed Park following its parks in California, Florida, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong and Shanghai. It will also be the first Disney-themed anything in the entire Middle East. 

Needless to say, there’s a lot of enthusiasm and excitement around the project and its potential impact on tourism for the UAE but also the entire region. We’re excited, you’re excited and even, His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council is excited! 

“The collaboration between Abu Dhabi and Disney demonstrates the remarkable results of combining visionary leadership and creative excellence,” His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said at the announcement led by The Walt Disney Company and Miral, the same company behind Abu Dhabi’s SeaWorld, Warner Bros. World, Etihad Arena and more. 

“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 reinforce its position as a leading global destination for cultural and family tourism.”

The announcement follows a recent survey on 7,000 young travellers (aged 5-12 years) that revealed their truest desires when travelling. According to the survey conducted by Experience Abu Dhabi (the destination brand of the Department of Culture and Tourism), 90% of children want holiday activities that help them make new friends! This is vastly different from their day-to-day life that’s filled with screens and streaming. 

The survey also found that 89% of children describe their ideal holiday as one that lets them experience their favourite video game or movie in real life! Something those children will soon be able to do when Disney brings their favourite animation movies to life at the new Abu Dhabi theme park. 

Although it’s still early days, The Walt Disney World Company and Miral revealed that the Disney Theme Park Resort project will be developed on Yas Island waterfront, where you can currently find a wide range of dining, nightlife, entertainment and leisure activities. 

We also know that Miral will operate the park upon completion, and that it will push theme park design boundaries.

“The concept for this resort will push the boundaries of theme park design, showcasing groundbreaking technology and visionary architecture, including a modern castle unlike anything we’ve ever created,” Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, said. 

“Abu Dhabi’s position as an international crossroads, its embrace of global culture, and its ambitious vision for the future make it a perfect location for Disney to reach millions of new families and captivate guests for generations to come,” Bob Iger, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, added. 

Okay, so now that the formalities are out of the way, it’s time for some imagionation and fun! 

Here are four ‘lands’ and attractions we’re hoping Miral and The Walt Disney Company bring to Abu Dhabi’s Disney theme park: 

A Jasmine-themed ‘castle’ 

The castle, as any Disney fan will tell you, is the centre and main attraction of any Disney theme park. It stands tall, it stands grand and it’s an absolute must for social media pictures.

Given this is the first Disney-themed attraction in the Middle East, it would only make sense that the castle be The Sultan’s Palace, the home of the only Middle Eastern princess, Jasmine (don’t start South Asia, one of the first major moments in Aladdin is literally the song “Arabian Nights”). 

Much like the Palace in Aladdin, it could be multi-towered and mainly white in colour but with golden domed roofs. It could also be surrounded by a large garden filled with native Middle Eastern plants and flowers, and it could have a fountain out front!! So pretty and perfect! 

An Aladdin-themed land (and definitely, ride) 

I mean, aren’t we all expecting that the only Disney theme park in the Middle East will have a land (or at least a ride) inspired by the only Middle Eastern Disney animation?! 

We picture the land to be very Arabian Coast which is the Aladdin-themed land at Tokyo DisneySea. We see it being very Agrabah-esque with a bazaar, characters selling (fake) spices, rugs and other Middle Eastern goods, guards with golden weaponry walking about, and it could even have a daily parade inspired by the ‘Prince Ali’ scene!!  

For the ride, we’re pictured something very much inspired by the 1993 Disney’s Aladdin Sega game that follows the adventures of Aladdin and his trusty friend Abu as they escape the Cave of Wonders, fly across Agrabah’s rooftops and evade the guards – all on Carpet of course. 

It would be amiss to not have an Aladdin-themed land (or ride). 

A Fantasyland 

Fantasyland may be part of the Disney theme park starter pack but it’s an absolute must for the Middle Eastern attraction.

For those who don’t know, Fantasyland is a land inspired entirely by Disney’s fairy tales such as Cinderella, Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, etc. The rides are gentle and full of storytelling, making them perfect for park goers of any age. 

A Tower of Terror or Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind 

Abu Dhabi’s Disney theme park must have a ride that operates much in the same way as the former Tower of Terror or current Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. 

Slightly terrifying but ultimately an incredible experience, these rides take participants up, drop them down, lift them up again, drop them down and it continues for what feels like minutes. That is, until the ride travels all the way to the top of the building, a door opens and participants get a view of the entire Disney theme park – it’s an incredible moment that only lasts a second before the ride drops again and it all comes to an end. 

We’re heavily pitching for this one!