What Are People Saying About Disney’s New Theme Park?
Do you know how you’re not supposed to read the comments when you’re online? Yeah, that phrase may have started with me.
No, I’m not narcissistic enough to believe that I’m the one who popularized the expression, but I was saying it all the way back in the 1990s.
Photo: Pexel.com
And let’s just say that the comments were a LOT better back then. Still, sometimes, you really should read what everyone else is saying.
That’s the best way to determine a baseline for something big like an American Pope or a team with one percent odds winning the NBA Lottery.
Image: The Healthy Mouse
So, let’s apply that dangerous practice to Disney as well. You’re probably wondering, “What are people saying about Disney’s new theme park?”
I’ve compiled a few of the comments I found most engaging and will add some further context when appropriate.
A Strategic Move
Photo: Disney
Here’s a quote from CNET’s article about Disneyland Abu Dhabi.
“Some fans are seeing this as a strategic move, especially after Universal announced its UK expansion. It feels like Disney is responding by establishing a major presence in a region where it’s had limited reach until now.”
First of all, the fact that CNET is covering the story says a lot. Disney is receiving international coverage about this decision.
Everyone knows that Disneyland turns 70 years old in July, yet there are only six Disney theme parks in the world. Adding a seventh one is huge.
As for the quote itself, it actually comes from the founder WDWMagic, a site I’ve read at times over the years and always enjoyed.
The premise is that Disney wouldn’t have done this move if not for the Universal Studios project in the United Kingdom.
Photo: Universal
Coincidentally, I recently wrote this article about whether Universal’s decisions pressured Disney. Here’s my conclusion:
“So, I’m of the opinion that Disney shouldn’t follow Universal Studios to any of these places.”
Photo: Universal
Later, I added, “That’s not Disney’s style. The company is more likely to build something in the middle of nowhere.”
What I meant by that was Disney would pick somewhere with cheap land. That is most assuredly not Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
Experience Abu Dhabi
Of course, since Disney isn’t paying for it, an unexpected development, the comparison isn’t apples to apples. But the larger point remains.
Disney is a leader in this industry, never a follower. The company wouldn’t ever choose the location of a theme park based on what the competition is doing.
For whatever reason, nobody ever likes to admit the market share reality of the theme park industry. But Universal is barely a bug on Disney’s windshield.
A Slap in the Face?
YouTube
I watch a lot of YouTube videos from Disney influencers while I write. I don’t have the DSNY channel in my rotation, but I’m familiar enough with it.
In my experience, I have noticed the host to be bright, fair, and articulate as a rule. That’s why I was a bit surprised by their alleged response.
The Thrillist has cited DSNY as describing the move as a “slap in the face.” But that’s not actually the case. It’s someone replying in THOSE comments.
Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom
Still, the argument involves the (perceived) pressing need to perform upgrades and maintenance on existing attractions.
When people make these comments, they often cite infamous upkeep incidents that get blown way out of proportion, which is what happened here.
Disney
In reality, Disney remains the gold standard in theme park maintenance, which anyone who has visited any other park recently can confirm.
Still, that’s not even the point. The viewer replies to a video that pointedly explains why this concern is a non-issue.
Disney
Since Disney won’t commit a single dollar to the project, it’ll have no negative impact whatsoever on Disney’s current parks.
If anything, Disneyland Abu Dhabi helps the other parks because it ensures a steady flow of capital during a time of economic uncertainty.
Disney
I have no idea whether there is a tariff conversation happening on the day you read this, but I know that there was one on each of the past 75 days.
Disney just got the United Arab Emirates to agree to finance the entirety of a Disney theme park and PAY for the privilege.
Photo: skillastics.com
This project makes money for Disney rather than draws resources away from other expansions and/or maintenance.
“You Won’t Even Be Able to Drink There!”
Photo:Rappler
I’m somewhat fascinated by all the sudden hope about the viability of AI, and I’ve come to realize the underlying hope.
People are hoping that AI will cure lazy and/or stupid people who aren’t willing to do their own research.
Photo:seoclerk.com
Why am I thinking about that right now? Well, the above quote is a real argument being espoused on the internet.
Folks who don’t know much about the Middle East apparently presume that alcohol is banned there.
Wikipedia
This makes me want to pull out a map and show people that the Middle East isn’t just one country but rather a series of nations, each with individual laws.
Disney is building in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Photo: Disney Abu Dhabi
In 2020, the UAE loosened its laws to entice more tourism, a strategy that is obviously working.
One of those changes involved the legalization of alcohol, albeit with some specific guidelines.
Photo: Disney
So, should Miral, the company in charge of Disneyland Abu Dhabi, want a Haunted Mansion Parlor or The Beak and the Barrel, it totally can!
Anyone telling you that UAE is a dry country is factually wrong.
Not Trying to Be Political, But…
Photo: Disney
I’m going to clean up the language on this one, but here’s a generally accurate quote published on Pride:
“Why…would you open up a park in Abu Dhabi where being gay and trans is illegal, and women have to sometimes ask a male guardian for approval. How is that Disney magic?”
Image Credit: Gay Star News
Later, the frustrated person adds, “As a rule, I don’t like to go to countries where they wish death upon me or people I love…”
Frankly, there are thousands of comments along these lines, and I get it.
Photo: Disney
I’m one of the few people on this planet who is unerringly hetero, but I went to my first gay wedding more than 30 years ago.
Many of the friends with whom I’ve vacationed are LGBTQ+. So, I’m not sure they’d even want to go, and the timing of this announcement strikes me as bizarre.
Disney
I say this because we’re only a couple of weeks away from Pride Month, which Disney will happily monetize with tons of merchandise.
Would Disneyland Abu Dhabi even be capable of hosting Pride Month events or stocking such merchandise? Sharia law technically applies here, too.
Photo: Disney
So, out of the many complaints I’ve heard, this is the one with the most teeth to it.
A gay South Asian Reddit user does counter this thought process, though.
Photo: Berardi Immigration Law
The individual points to “passport privilege,” noting that many people in the region dream of visiting Disney.
They cannot do so due to weak passports and currency issues, and the person argues that Abu Dhabi is cheaper and more convenient.
This person makes a fair point and one I admittedly hadn’t considered previously.
State Sponsored?
Finally, we have this criticism. “This whole thing leaves an incredibly sour taste in my mouth, I can’t lie. Half of this video is just a state-sponsored ad for Abu Dhabi…”
This one surprised me in that I’ve read the press release, watched many of the interviews with Disney and UAE officials, and studied many articles
miral
At no point did I consider Disneyland Abu Dhabi any sort of state-sponsored ad.
I mean, yes. Miral, the company constructing the theme park, receives funding from the UAE.
Photo: Disney
However, that business model is no different from the existing ones at Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland.
When a company like Disney negotiates with local authorities, a partnership ensues. And that’s what this theme park project strikes me as being.
Photo: DIsney
I see nothing nefarious to this deal, unlike events like LIV Golf and the WWE’s PPVs in Saudi Arabia, which many describe as “blood money PPVs.”
United States citizens have ample reason to question the leadership of Saudi Arabia. The UAE, on the other hand, is simply trying to get into tourism.
I didn’t consider the Dubai scenes in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol to be state-sponsored, nor would I consider this.
If anything, Abu Dhabi is merely a thriving tourist destination with ample resources to build more attraction spots. If anything, it’s akin to Las Vegas.
Photo: Playbuzz.com
Do you disagree with me about this or anything else I’ve said here? Did any of the quoted comments resonate with you?
Let us know, as I’m genuinely curious to know how you feel about Disneyland Abu Dhabi.
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Feature Photo: Disney
