BREAKING NEWS Disney announces location of new theme park
Walt Disney announced plans on Wednesday to open a Disney theme park in United Arab Emirates' capital Abu Dhabi in collaboration with regional developer Miral Group, representing its first major new theme park in nearly a decade and its first in the Middle East.
The planned Disney waterfront resort will be located on Yas Island, a popular tourist destination that is home to other family-friendly attractions, including Warner Bros World Yas Island, SeaWorld Yas Island and Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi.
The city of Abu Dhabi has a population of about 2.5 million, but Yas Island recorded more than 34 million visits in 2023, a 38% rise compared to the year before, Miral has said.
"We've always been interested in this part of the world - to bring our Disney stories to new, younger fans," Disney's Experiences unit Chairman Josh D´Amaro told Reuters, adding, "Abu Dhabi was an ideal location for us."
Miral, the Abu Dhabi-based leisure and entertainment group responsible for developing Yas Island, will finance, build and operate the resort. The creative and technical professionals who design Disney's theme parks, known as Imagineers, will lead creative design and provide operational oversight.
The U.S. entertainment company will earn royalties based on the park's revenue, according to a regulatory filing.
The Disney park "will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati - an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment that is at the crossroads of the world," Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a statement on Wednesday.
Abu Dhabi is known for its oil wealth, though last year it announced plans to invest more than $10 billion in infrastructure to grow its tourism business. The international airport in UAE's commercial hub Dubai aims to boost its capacity to accommodate 120 million passengers a year by 2026.
Disney did not announce the opening date for the new park, though D´Amaro said a project of this scale could take a year or two to design, and another four to six years to build.
Once complete, the resort will offer Disney-themed attractions, dining and retail experiences, in a way that blends the Burbank entertainment company´s storytelling and Abu Dhabi´s heritage, D´Amaro said.
The Abu Dhabi park, Disney´s first since Shanghai Disneyland opened in 2016, represents a continuation of the company´s plans to "turbocharge" its Experiences unit, which includes its six global theme park resorts, a cruise ship line and a family resort in Hawaii.
In 2023, Disney announced it would commit $60 billion over a decade to double the size of its Disney cruise ship fleet and invest in its theme parks. It also took a minority stake in Epic Games, creator of the online game Fortnite.
Miral initially approached Disney to talk about their plans for creating a tourism hub in Abu Dhabi, said D´Amaro. That conversation led Disney executives to visit the prospective theme park site last September.
"We saw where our potential park might go, and had some serious conversations about what this could mean to our 'turbocharging'," D´Amaro said.
After a return trip to the region in February, D´Amaro said the parties entered into serious discussions that culminated in a deal. The amount of Miral's investment was not disclosed.
Miral Group CEO Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi issued a statement hailing the addition of a Disney theme park to Yas Island as a "historic milestone" in the company´s efforts to build the island into a global entertainment destination. (Reporting by Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter Henderson and Muralikumar Anantharaman)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
37 minutes ago
- BBC News
Dawn French sorry for 'one-sided' Gaza war video
Dawn French has taken down a video she posted on Instagram about the war in Gaza, saying she apologised "unreservedly" for video sparked a backlash, with critics accusing the actress and comedian of appearing to "mock" the 7 October 2023 Saturday, French acknowledged on Instagram that the video "appeared one-sided", and said she never meant to "mock, or dismiss, or diminish the horror" of that day."I hope you will understand my intention was not to offend, but I clearly have. For which I am sorry and I have removed the video," she added. In the 40-second video, posted earlier this week, the Vicar of Dibley star shared her views on the ongoing war, saying: "Complicated, no, but nuanced. But [the] bottom line is no."Adapting her tone, she went on to say: "Yeah, but you know they did a bad thing to us, yeah but no. But we want that land... and we have history… No. Those people aren't really even people, are they really? No."On social media, people were quick to criticise her, with actress Tracy-Ann Oberman saying she was "so saddened" by the post."This mocking voice 'bad thing' of October 7 that Dawn (who I revere by the way) appears [to] be mocking involved the most horrific terrorist attack involving rape, sexual violence, burning alive, child mutilation and taking of civilian hostages," she wrote."Why would Dawn seem to deny that which has affected so many of us personally in the most painful way possible."MP Rosie Duffield commented on Oberman's post, writing: "One can, and should hate what is happening in Gaza and also condemn the hideous events of October 7th."It is agonising to see events unfold, and requires extremely careful, measured and well-considered comments and actions. This is not that."Meanwhile, screenwriter and activist Lee Kern called her video "sneering mockery".Responding to the backlash, French said that she had posted a video in the style that she has been using for social media "in an effort to convey an important point".She added that she had "clumsily used a mocking tone"."My intention was NEVER to mock, or dismiss, or diminish the horror of what happened on 7 October 2023 and what continues to unfold from that brutal unthinkable, unforgiveable, savage attack," she said her intention had been "to mock and point the finger of shame at the behaviour of the cruel leaders on all sides of this atrocious war"."THEY were my target, but clearly I failed to do that, and that's on me. I apologise unreservedly, and I'm particularly sorry that my disgust at Hamas didn't figure. It appeared one-sided and that is wrong."Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led cross-border attack almost 20 months ago, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken 54 of those captured during the attack remain in captivity, including 31 the Israeli military says are least 54,607 people have been killed in Gaza since then, including 4,335 since Israel resumed its offensive on 18 March, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Dawn French apologises for ‘Oct 7 attacks' video
Dawn French has apologised 'unreservedly' after she posted a 'one-sided' video in which she appeared to dismiss the Hamas terrorist attacks of October 7. The 67-year-old comedian and actress was accused of belittling the attacks in a clip she put on social media in which she claimed the murder of 1,200 people was 'a bad thing'. In the video, posted on X on May 5, she mimics apparent defences of Israel's huge military campaign in Gaza. She was accused of appearing to belittle the Hamas-led murders of 1,200 people and adopting a 'mocking' tone. On Saturday, she removed that video and issued an apology, adding that she was 'sorry' her 'disgust at Hamas didn't figure'. The message, also on X, says: 'Ok, it's important to address this. I posted a video in the style I've been using for social media in an effort to convey an important point. I clumsily used a mocking tone. 'My intention was NEVER to mock, or dismiss, or diminish the horror of what happened on 7 October 2023 and what continues to unfold from that brutal, unthinkable, unforgivable, savage attack.' She said her 'heart broke' for the innocent people 'killed, tortured, r@aped [sic] and kidnapped', adding that it was 'appalling' that hostages were still being held. She insisted that her 'intention was to mock and point the finger of shame at the behaviour of the cruel leaders on ALL sides of this attricious [sic] war, who have continued to behave like the worst, dangerous, sickening bullies and seem to relish the tyrannical and childish one-upmanship of violence.' She added she was 'feeling increasingly helpless and hopeless as we witness the carnage and destruction worsen', adding how she was 'haunted … day and night ' by 'images of starving children.' The Vicar of Dibley actress wrote: 'History has taught us never to stand by and allow this kind of inhumane violence to be wrought on anyone, especially innocent children. 'I have felt my silence is complicit or even somehow sanctioning. So in my small way, I wanted to voice my desire to say NO - to both sides - to any further violence. 'I hope you will understand my intention was not to offend, but clearly I have. For which I am sorry and I have removed the video.' She was accused of adopting a baby-like face in the original 40-second video. She filmed herself saying: 'Complicated, no, but nuanced. But [the] bottom line is no.' She went on: ''Yeah, but you know they did a bad thing to us'... Yeah, but no. ''But we want that land and there's a lot of history…'. No. 'These people are not even people, are they really?' No.' The video was viewed more than half a million times in the 24 hours after it was posted. Tracy-Ann Oberman, an actress who has appeared in numerous West End shows, accused the comedian of adopting a 'mocking' tone. Comedy writer and self-described 'champion of Jewish rights' Lee Kern wrote: 'What you sneeringly mock as a 'bad thing' included the grieving children I met in hospital whose friends and family had been murdered, kidnapped and raped and who themselves were coming to terms with their own life-altering injuries. 'It also includes the 1,200 people murdered and tortured on October 7th… you proactively broadcast – with misplaced pride – a wicked glee in your mockery and dismissal of Jewish suffering, pain and death.' Israel began its ground offensive in Gaza in response to Hamas's terrorist attack, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. There are now 56 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza, at least 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Israel was criticised by Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, for its recent 'appalling' military action, describing the conduct of Benjamin Netanyahu's government as 'intolerable' following claims that more than 50,000 people, including many women and children, had been killed by Israeli forces.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Miley Cyrus wears daring mesh gown after detailing how she hid drug purchases from her accountant
had all eyes on her as she arrived to the premiere of her new visual album, Something Beautiful, in New York City on Friday. The singer, 32, dazzled in a see-through mesh gown at the event, held during the 2025 Tribeca Festival at The Beacon Theatre. Underneath the dress, which featured a dramatic fringe, the superstar wore a nude bustier. Loosely wrapped around her shoulders was a dramatic fringe shawl. The star — who recently took a subtle swipe at her famous ex-husband Liam Hemsworth — wore her brunette tresses in bouncy locks, accessorizing with chic drop earrings. The outing comes after the former Disney star candidly shared how she kept her past drug purchases hidden from her accountant. While appearing on Friday's episode of The Ringer's Every Single Album podcast, Miley explained: 'The drugs were the biggest cost, which to hide those from my accountant, we called them vintage clothes.' 'And so she would get these checks. That happens on touring all the time.' The star admitted her accountant would wonder about the 'vintage clothes' costs. 'And every time she saw me, she'd be like, "Where's that, like, $15,000 original John Lennon T-shirt that you bought?" It's like, "Oh, it's upstairs."' 'We just really want to protect it. It's really delicate. The fabric got to take care of it. So I bought a lot of vintage clothes that year,' she added. Miley admitted she's grateful for how much she's grown since that period. 'I'm so glad I survived that time in my life.' 'I would definitely not encourage anyone else to go this hard, but the fact that I got through it, I'm very glad I got to do it.' Underneath the dress, which featured a dramatic fringe, the superstar wore a nude bustier Cyrus has been open about her sobriety journey over the years. Notably, in a 2017 interview with Billboard, she shared that she was 'evolving' after deciding to give up marijuana. 'I haven't smoked weed in three weeks, which is the longest I've ever [gone without it],' she said. 'I'm not doing drugs, I'm not drinking, I'm completely clean right now! That was just something that I wanted to do.' Something Beautiful, Miley's ninth studio album, was released on May 30 and has been largely promoted as the singer's 'psychedelic' music era. The Beautiful That Way singer - who quit touring in 2023 - recently gushed: 'This album has to start with me loving it and then the love that I have for it, whether you know it or not, it's gonna be coming through the speakers when you're listening.' The album has received mixed reviews from critics, with Rolling Stone awarding it four out of five stars.
