Disney to open park in Abu Dhabi
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Walt Disney has announced plans to open its first theme park in the Middle East. The resort, which will be in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island, is a collaboration between Walt Disney and local leisure and entertainment company Miral.
Read more from The BBC.
This is a bit of a head scratcher, I am sure that they have the numbers and research that says it makes sense - but that whole market in the Middle East is a mystery to me. I wonder if it's a project that Disney would have embarked on on their own, it seems the financial risk is all on Miral but the reputational risk is on Disney.
Each time I've been to any of the parks in the region they have been DEAD - not quiet ... DEAD. More employees than guests. I am not sure if it's a seasonal thing - but I've seen a lot of people say similar things at all times of year.
As well as Ferrari World, Miral also own SeaWorld, Warner Bros and Yas Waterworld in the vicinity and down the road in Dubai there is Motiongate, Legoland, Real Madrid World (formerly the Bollywood park), IMG Words of Adventure etc. A lot of development - so much development!
The most curious thing about the concept art is that a lot of it looks outdoors - that would be an interesting move in that climate. Perhaps in reality it will be less so.
Nothing to see here. Move along.
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