A Wednesday morning surprise announcement! Disney announced its plan to build its first park in the Middle East. Disneyland Abu Dhabi! Now, United Arab Emirates has the distinction of hosting the first Disney branded themed destination in the region.Boasting a Yas Island waterfront location, Disney Imagineers are hot on the plans creating something very unique for this market. What will the park look like? What will be in it?
In Disney's official press release, Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Experiences, states “This groundbreaking resort destination represents a new frontier in theme park development".
The concept art by Imagineering is intentionally vague. But you can bet it will be bigger and more elaborate than what was once planned for Dubai Disneyland!
Long rumored, hinted at, finally announced, and not built. At least not yet. With a property as precious as Marvel, the Disney Imagineers- and more importantly, the suits that run the show- had better do a great job with the Avengers Campus E Ticket attraction for California Adventure and Hong Kong Disneyland. (Will it come to Avengers Campus at Walt Disney Studios Paris? Probably not but you never know.)
However... I have a feeling that the BATMAN: Knight Flight attraction at Warner Brothers Adu Dhabi might have beaten Disney to the punch. The ride system is used to full effect in this cutting edge attraction. Incorporated with full sets and a thrilling storyline, I believe this to be the ride system or a variant that we'll soon find in the Disney Parks.
The competition is still for tourist dollars- and Disney can't afford to try to recover from either the lack of opening day enthusiasm for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge or Spider-Man Web Slingers attractions. Can they do it or will they blunder it big time?
You decide for yourself if they've already been beaten. Look at the video below and determine the thrill factor for yourself... including whether or not you'll journey to the Arabian Peninsula to ride it for yourself.
