EXCLUSIVE How Abu Dhabi's Disney will look VERY different - from 'banned' characters to the Little Mermaid's bikini - and what visitors will be expected to wear to Middle East theme park

Daily Mail​

08-05-2025

Mickey and Minnie Mouse excitingly welcoming visitors at the entrance, a parade of fan-favourite characters dancing through the crowds each day and an astounding fireworks extravaganza to finish off a day of fun.
All this and more can likely be expected at Walt Disney Company's newest theme park in the United Arab Emirates.
However, announcing plans for the waterfront resort located on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island on Wednesday, Disney CEO Robert Iger said the tourist attraction will be 'authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati'.
As such, it perhaps wouldn't be surprising to see the Middle East's first theme park take a slightly different approach to what visitors from the UK, America and Europe usually expect when touring the Paris and California or Florida resorts.
From Minnie Mouse swapping out her mini dress for a maxi to the Little Mermaid ditching her bikini for 'more coverage', a culture expert has revealed the possible changes Miral - the Abu Dhabi developer overseeing the project - might consider.
Speaking to FEMAIL, Corina Goetz, a Middle East Specialist who focuses on helping companies and entrepreneurs understand the nuances of the Gulf market, also said Disney's LGBTIQ+ characters would be banned from the park.
Similarly, the filming giant's live remake of Snow White could be excluded due to Gal Gadot's appearance in the movie - after Lebanon banned the production from its cinemas nationwide because of the Israeli actress' past service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and her vocal support for Israel in its war against Hamas.
Read below for more changes Corina claims could be embraced by Abu Dhabi's Disney resort due to its conservative nature...
'Outfit changes' for the Little Mermaid and Minnie Mouse
It's an outfit known by little girls all over the world - but The Little Mermaid's Ariel could sport something entirely different when in the UAE, according to the expert.
'It is very likely that Ariel's iconic shell bikini top would be redesigned to offer more coverage, in line with modesty norms in many Middle Eastern countries,' said London-based Corina, who runs her own company Star-CaT (www.star-cat.co.uk).
'A version with a longer top or a full-body aquatic outfit (similar to her look in some animated series or toys) could be used to maintain the character's identity while respecting local dress codes,' suggested the specialist.
But it's not only King Triton's daughter who could get a wardrobe change; Minnie Mouse's dress might be swapped from a mini to a maxi to avoid offending locals.
'She would probably be in a dress although the dress might be a maxi dress,' suggested Corina.
'Ban' on Disney's LGBTIQ+ characters
Disney is no stranger to having its content banned from Middle Eastern countries due to the inclusion of LGBTIQ+ characters and references.
The UAE, like many other countries in the wider Middle East, is a Muslim-led nation that criminalises same-sex relationships.
As such, it has banned films like Disney and Pixar's Toy Story spin-off Lightyear, which includes a lesbian couple kissing.
Corina said that LGBTQ+ characters or storylines (such as those included in Marvel's Eternals, the live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast and Pixar's Onward) 'will be omitted from public displays, merchandise, or park performances'.
'Many Middle Eastern countries have laws or cultural restrictions against the promotion of LGBTQ+ content,' explained the expert.
Meanwhile, 'attractions based on banned or censored films might be excluded, altered or replaced. Disney would likely emphasise action/adventure elements over controversial content,' said Corina.
Asad Khan, CEO of Invest Dubai Real Estate (IDRE), told FEMAIL that any LGBTQ+ characters or references will '100 per cent not be included'.
'Ditch 1992 version of Aladdin's Arabian Nights'
The 1992 animated movie Aladdin contained a line in the opening song, Arabian Nights, that many considered to be racist against Arabs.
'Oh, I come from a land / From a faraway place / Where the caravan camels roam,' the lyrics read. 'Where they cut off your ear / If they don't like your face / It's barbaric, but hey, it's home.'
When Disney released a new, live-action version of the movie in 2019, they changed the line to: 'Oh, I come from a land / From a faraway place / Where the caravan camels roam.
'Where it's flat and immense / And the heat is intense / It's barbaric, but hey, it's home.'
Corina said: 'The original 1992 animated film's song 'Arabian Nights' included lyrics that were criticised as offensive previously.
'So this was later changed. A UAE Disneyland would almost certainly use the revised version or an adaptation, which is more culturally sensitive.'
Gal Gadot's Snow White character 'excluded'
Gal Gadot plays the Evil Queen in Disney's controversial Snow White remake - a main character that fans would no doubt expect to see in the new resort, on merchandise or the like.
Yet 'depending on political developments, her portrayal in the movie could be controversial and might potentially be excluded', revealed Corina.
It comes after Lebanon banned the film from its cinemas nationwide because of the Israeli actress.
The Hollywood star is on the Middle East nation's boycott list because of her past service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and her vocal support for Israel in its war against Hamas.
Lebanon has previously banned other Gal Gadot movies including Wonder Woman and Death On The Nile.
Meanwhile, some Disney fans in the UAE reportedly boycotted the remake due to Gal Gadot's political stance, according to UAE state-owned English-language daily newspaper The National.
The specialist said that 'dress codes for visitors would likely reflect local norms'.
She added: 'While foreign visitors will not be expected to wear traditional clothing, they should follow local rules in regards to revealing clothing.
'Disneyland parks in other conservative countries already enforce respectful dress codes, so this would not be unprecedented.'
On the Disneyland Resort website, visitors are told to 'dress comfortably, wear good walking shoes and check the local weather report before you leave for the parks'.
The statements adds: 'Ensuring that the parks are family friendly is an important part of the Disney experience. In that spirit, we ask you to use your discretion and common sense.
'Attire that is not appropriate for the theme parks (and which may result in refusal of admittance or ejection) includes but is not limited to: Clothing with objectionable material, including obscene language or graphics,
'Clothing which, by nature, exposes excessive portions of the skin that may be viewed as inappropriate for a family environment, clothing with multiple layers are subject to search upon entry
'Visible tattoos that could be considered inappropriate, such as those containing objectionable language or designs, bare feet.'
Asad Khan added: 'Women won't be allowed to walk around in bikinis, only on the beach or poolside.'
MailOnline has contacted Miral and Disney for comment.
'Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati'
Disney stated that it aims to attract tourists from 'the Middle East and Africa, India, Asia, Europe, and beyond' with its newest resort.
'Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati,' said Disney CEO Robert Iger in a statement, promising 'an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment at this crossroads of the world.'
The company stated that the new resort will blend Disney's 'iconic stories, characters and attractions with Abu Dhabi's vibrant culture, stunning shorelines, and breathtaking architecture.'
Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be the seventh Disney resort since the original Disneyland opened in Anaheim, California in 1955.
Other Disney destinations are located in Florida, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Iger told analysts that the location was chosen to bring the Disney experience closer to hundreds of millions of customers for whom visiting its other six locations 'was pretty lengthy in nature and expensive.'
The Walt Disney Company will be earning royalties based on the park's revenue
He also noted the success of existing attractions in Abu Dhabi Miral group operates numerous hotels, resorts, and amusement parks in Abu Dhabi including Warner Brothers World, Ferrari World and Sea World.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Disney Experiences chairman Josh D'Amaro described the new park and resort as the company's most 'modern' and 'tech-forward' destination.
He added that in an unusual arrangement for Disney, the park would be funded, built, and ultimately operated by the Miral group 'with oversight of course from us'.
'But we're very confident in this part of the world, with this partner, that this is the appropriate business arrangement,' he added.
The new park announcement coincided with Disney reporting a robust increase in quarterly revenues, which sent its shares skyrocketing.
The company said overall sales increased seven percent to $23.6 billion in the January to March period.
Crucially, subscribers to its Disney+ streaming service grew to 126 million, adding 1.4 million new subscriptions, contrary to analysts' expectations of a decline.
The Experiences segment, which includes theme parks, saw revenue increase to $8.9 billion.