Rising Soon: A New Disney Park Is Opening in Abu Dhabi

(SPOT.ph) Disney has officially announced the location of their newest theme park.

It's long been speculated where the next Disney theme park will be located. You might even remember a rumor about a Disneyland rising in Pampanga back in the early 2000s. And while we're not closing the door on a Disneyland in the Philippines (read: we're still keeping our fingers crossed), Disney just announced that they're headed to the Middle East, with their seventh theme park opening in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Check out all the details dropped about Disney's first new park in 15 years. 

Here's what we know so far about the upcoming Disney Park in the UAE:

"Our resort in Abu Dhabi will be the most advanced and interactive destination in our entire portfolio," says Josh D'Amaro, Chairperson of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. 

Set to rise in Abu Dhabi's Yas Island, Disneyland Abu Dhabi is set to blend Disney magic with a distinctly Emirati experience. Although not a lot is known about the upcoming destination, D'Amaro, alongside Disney CEO Bob Iger, assures the public that the seventh Disney park will combine "Disney's iconic stories, characters and attractions with Abu Dhabi's vibrant culture, stunning shoreline, and breathtaking architecture." The entertainment company will partner with local Emirati developer and operator Miral.

Together with Disney Imagineers, Miral will be responsible for fully developing, building, and eventually operating the upcoming Disneyland. This includes the park's themed accommodations, unique dining and retail experiences, and other hallmarks of Disney park storytelling—a feat Miral is no stranger to. The Emirati developer already has a number of attractions on Yas Island, including SeaWorld YAS Island Abu Dhabi, Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, and Warner Bros. World, which will soon include a Harry Potter-themed land.

Specific details about the park's design, target completion date, and the rest of the nitty-gritty are still hush-hush. But D'Amaro let it slip that the park will have a vast and panoramic waterfront, which will greatly influence the type of attractions and shows they get to do. Could this mean we might get another DisneySea-type of theme park?

As to what can be found in the park is purely speculative at this point. Iger tells CNBC there's still a long way to go before we see Disneyland Abu Dhabi come to life. "We’re not pinning down a date yet‚” he said. “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.”

Once completed, Filipinos can experience Disney's seventh theme park by flying to the Middle East via direct 10-hour flights to Abu Dhabi or Dubai. Yas Island's strategic location is one hour from Dubai International Airport and roughly 20 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi. There are already two Disneylands right here in Asia, one in Hong Kong and the other in Shanghai, but TBH, for a whole new world of Disney experiences, we wouldn't mind hopping on a magic carpet to this brand-new destination any day—even if the travel time is much longer.

Check out Disney's announcement about their upcoming Disney theme park coming to Abu Dhabi:

Also read:
Hong Kong Disneyland Is Building a New Pixar-Themed Zone
Hong Kong Disneyland Is Getting a New Marvel-Themed Attraction

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