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Forbes
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Disneyland Abu Dhabi Would 'Never Work' Outdoors Says Park Boss
Disneyland Abu Dhabi looks set to be at least partly indoors The operator of Disneyland Abu Dhabi has put an end to months of speculation by confirming that the upcoming theme park would "never work" outdoors. Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be developed and run by Miral, the Abu Dhabi government-backed leisure operator behind the region's leading theme parks – Warner Bros. World, SeaWorld and Ferrari World. These three parks on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island hold their own against the best in the business even though all of them are indoors due to the scorching hot climate where summer temperatures soar above 110 degrees. "We know from our experience that an outdoor theme park would never work," said Miral's trailblazing chief executive Mohamed Al Zaabi in a revealing interview with the the Middle East's local edition of Forbes. It will be a first for Disney as all of its other theme parks are largely outdoors. In contrast, it is familiar territory for Al Zaabi as he is an industry pioneer. As he explained in a LinkedIn post about the Forbes Middle East feature, 'everything we do here, we do differently.' He added that he is 'proud to see Yas Island becoming the capital of theme parks in the world; a true global destination that continues to attract the most iconic international IPs, and now the future home of Disneyland Abu Dhabi. This recognition is a testament to Abu Dhabi's visionary leadership and the unwavering dedication of the Miral team.' Al Zaabi told Forbes Middle East "we know for sure that Disney will be hybrid, it will be indoor and outdoor. At this stage, it is too early to decide, but I reckon a good percentage of it will be indoor." This follows the model of some of Miral's existing attractions such as Ferrari World where the outdoor roller coasters cover a footprint which is almost as large as the park itself. Summer temperatures in Abu Dhabi typically pass 110 degrees each day (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP ... More via Getty Images) Zipping around outside on a roller coaster is one of the best ways to beat the heat in Abu Dhabi which billows from all angles like it is coming from a huge hairdryer. Often it isn't even possible to cool down with fans which spray mist as the water warms up the moment it hits the air. In winter, it can hit 90 degrees but that's nothing compared to summer. Over the past week alone it has been more than 100 at night in nearby Dubai with humidity of more than 70%. During the day the mercury regularly soars above 110 in Abu Dhabi giving it a 'feels like' temperature of more than 130. To put that into context, at Walt Disney World in Orlando the National Weather Service only issues "excessive heat warnings" when it feels like more than 113 degrees. In Abu Dhabi and Dubai the sidewalk can get so hot that it melts shoes causing soles to get ripped off when they stick to the floor. It can be a particular problem in the region's many water parks as the pathways are often so hot that it stings to walk on them bare foot which is why some operators give complimentary aqua socks to all visitors. To beat the summer heat, Miral is keeping its Yas Waterworld park open until at least 9PM every day until the end of August. The park recently swung open the doors to a new expansion which is purpose-built for late night operations with tiny lights under the handrails. Sun loungers are also lined up under the artificial fort at the heart of the park and a new restaurant has indoor seating. Al Zaabi told Gulf News that Miral 'tailored and designed this on feedback we received from our customers.' This has all contributed to Miral becoming known as the world's leading operator of indoor theme parks and its specialism has paid off. As this author reported in the local Khaleej Times newspaper, Warner Bros. World is the first theme park in the Middle East to appear on the Global Attractions Attendance report with 1.8 million visitors streaming through its turnstiles in 2023. In turn, this has had a magic touch on Yas Island's hotels. Yas Island's hotels, including the iconic W, are experiencing high occupancy (Photo by Clive Mason - ... More Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images) Talking at the Hotel Show 2025 in May, Paul Fanning, Miral's executive director of asset management, said that last year 'average occupancy for 12 months was 83%. In the summer it was 82% and in August 2024 we were at 90% occupancy in our hotels which is a pretty staggering number and really shows that we have turned that around completely so now we are a year-round destination. Now of course it helps when you have covered theme parks.' Bearing that in mind, it is completely logical that Disneyland Abu Dhabi will follow its counterparts and won't be outdoors. However, there has been a cloud of uncertainty over this from the moment that the park was announced in May as as the concept art of it looked like it was uncovered. Seemingly endorsing an outdoor format, Disney's chief executive Bob Iger told CNBC that "we're not talking about anything small or anything in a box" and added that 'this will be a significant theme park that we're putting here.' Al Zaabi then told the DubaiEye radio station that his 'priority is to create convenient and unique customer experiences for our guests. We really want them to enjoy their time and have the best experience here in Abu Dhabi. And it has to be as convenient as we can. As you know, we have done all our theme parks indoor. So Disney will be an indoor theme park.' This was initially reported by hospitality trade title Skift which was picked up on the same day by The Sun, one of Britain's most widely-read newspapers. That brought it to the attention of a string of theme park fan websites such as Inside The Magic and WDW News Today. Sources inside Miral later explained that Al Zaabi wasn't referring to the whole park when he told DubaiEye that "Disney will be an indoor theme park." The radio station has since edited that comment out of its interview but it's what actually happens that really counts. Disney's theme parks are designed by its Imagineers who are named after their imaginative use of engineering. Their head office is in Glendale, California, which is where the parks are usually designed. Al Zaabi recently posted on Instagram that he has visited the office but it seems far more important for Imagineering to spend more time in Abu Dhabi. In his recent interview with Forbes Middle East, Al Zaabi said that the Disney team only made its first visit to Abu Dhabi in 2024. "For some of them, it was their first time ever to visit this region," he added. They may need to spend much more time there than that in order to get a true sense of the scale of the hurdle they are up against with the climate. Some observers have suggested that it gets hot in Orlando and that doesn't prevent Walt Disney World from being outdoors so why does the park in Abu Dhabi need to be indoors? That is like saying that Disneyland Paris is outdoors and it snows there so why not build an outdoor park in Iceland. It does indeed get hot in Orlando but not on a par with Abu Dhabi and if the parks weren't indoors there they wouldn't be viable. Temperatures in Orlando are usually lower than Abu Dhabi (Photo byfor ... More Disney Dreamers Academy) Given how many hours visitors spend walking from ride to ride at a Disney park, with some guests doing it in a mobility scooter, it could be extremely dangerous if Disneyland Abu Dhabi was outdoors. Some dedicated Disney fans make a point of visiting all of its parks and Miral would not want even one of them to suffer in the brutal heat which is precisely why Al Zaabi said that 'an outdoor theme park would never work.' Guests are in safe hands with him. The INSEAD-educated manager began his 25-year career in business working for the UAE government before switching to ALDAR Properties, Abu Dhabi's biggest listed property developer where he rose to the role of director of strategic investment. This gave him high-level experience of the role that real estate plays at the heart of the UAE's economy and it also brought him into contact with Mohamed Al Mubarak, the chairman of Miral and Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT). A graduate of Northeastern University in Boston, Al Mubarak is one of Abu Dhabi's most prominent business figures having been chief executive of ALDAR before becoming chairman of the DCT where he has turned the city into a global cultural powerhouse. His pioneering approach brought the Louvre to Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Island cultural district with a Guggenheim, a Natural History Museum and a National Museum also under construction. As this author has reported, they all played a key role in convincing Disney to plant its flag in Abu Dhabi. However, it wouldn't have been possible if it wasn't for Al Zaabi's vision of making Yas Island a hub for the world's leading theme parks. Disney is the crown jewel but it will still follow the same model as the other parks with Miral funding, developing and building it. This is very different to Disney's model in the United States which sees it designing, developing and owning its parks. If Disney wants to build an outdoor park in the U.S. then that's what it does. In contrast, Miral is calling the shots in Abu Dhabi and the end result should be all the better for it as the company is the region's foremost theme park expert. This is one of the reasons Disney chose it and now it has to take its advice on board which is thankfully exactly what seems to be happening. Al Zaabi recently told Gulf News that regular workshops are already taking place between Disney and Miral's development teams so clearly The Mouse isn't going it alone. Ultimately, if the park ends up being "in a box" as Iger put it, it doesn't actually matter. As Iger knows, just like the soundstages where movies are made, it's not what they look like from the outside but what happens inside that counts. Of course, just because the park isn't outdoors, that doesn't mean it has to be in a box-shaped building. As this author reported, there is evidence to suggest that Disneyland Abu Dhabi could be located inside an eye-catching series of spheres as were planned for California's Port Disney project. Developing a park which isn't outdoors will also enable Disney to create attractions which aren't possible at its usual parks. The Disneyland Abu Dhabi concept art showed that it will be home to a shimmering crystalline castle similar to the one in Disney's hit animated film Frozen. The film has already featured in several Disney rides but none have been set inside an actual snowy environment which would be possible in an indoor park. As this author has reported, indoor snow parks are highly popular in the Middle East and are one of the few genres of attraction which aren't already on Yas Island. Snow parks such as Snow Abu Dhabi are very popular in the United Arab Emirates (Photo by GIUSEPPE ... More CACACE/AFP via Getty Images) An indoor setting will also give Disney the flexibility it requires for its usual park format which can involve afternoon parades taking place in the summer between midday and 3PM. This wouldn't legally be possible if Disneyland Abu Dhabi was outdoors as the government imposes a ban on work under direct sunlight and in open-air spaces between 12:30PM and 3:00PM, from June 15 to September 15. An indoor park would make Disney's nightly fireworks displays more difficult to pull off though transparent spheres could address that. Likewise, an outdoor lagoon surrounded by air-conditioned corridors would give Yas Island the platform for a much-needed regular night time spectacular. Air-conditioned corridors are far from fantasy as Dubai recently announced that it will build 6,500 kilometers of them to ensure that 80% of residents can access essential services within a 20-minute commute. The city has already figured out a way to ease the strain on pedestrians as one of the main sidewalks leading up to the world's biggest waterpark on Dubai's palm-shaped island is lined with a rubbery red surface so that walking isn't stressful on your heels. Perhaps the best indication of the potential for Disneyland Abu Dhabi is that Dubai's Expo 2020, which featured theme park-quality pavilions, pulled in a staggering 24 million visitors during its six-month run. Although the site was largely outdoors it was held in the cooler months from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022. If it had been held indoors and had run for the entire year it could have cast an even more powerful spell. Miral really does have everything to play for.
Khaleej Times
16-07-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Abu Dhabi realty prices show resilience in first half of 2025
The Abu Dhabi property market has demonstrated exceptional resilience and growth in H1 2025, as listing prices for apartments in the affordable sector have risen by up to 7 per cent, while budget-friendly villa prices have increased by as much as 5 per cent, data showed on Wednesday. According to research by Bayut, the UAE's leading property portal, the emirate has established itself as one of the region's most attractive investment destinations. Budget-conscious property-seekers have focused on affordable areas such as Al Reef, Al Ghadeer, Khalifa City and Al Shamkha. Mid-tier investors have favoured Al Reem Island, Masdar City, Al Raha Gardens and Al Samha. Abu Dhabi's popular island communities, Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, have remained of significant interest to potential high-profile investors. The mid-tier segment has seen apartment prices appreciate by 6 per cent to 11 per cent. Mid-tier villas reported a listing price increase of up to 2.68 per cent in Al Raha Gardens and a surge of up to 26.7 per cent in Al Samha, highlighting a sustained demand for family homes. Bucking the trend slightly, mid-tier villas in Baniyas have become cheaper by 1.45 per cent. According to the H1 2025 luxury property sales data, listing prices for luxury apartments in Yas Island and Saadiyat Island have increased by up to 17 per cent, an unsurprising surge when the announcement of Disneyland Abu Dhabi is taken into account. The luxury villa segment has experienced comparatively moderate increases of 5 per cent to 10 per cent. Villa prices in Al Jubail Island have recorded a significant 17.8 per cent decrease, most likely due to investor interest shifting towards Yas Island and Saadiyat Island. Rental yields In the affordable segment, Al Reef apartments have delivered lucrative yields of 9.33 per cent, followed by Al Ghadeer at 8.45 per cent. Mid-tier apartments have offered promising returns of 8.41 per cent in Masdar City and 7.59 per cent in Al Reem Island. For luxury apartments, Yas Island has recorded yields of 7.15 per cent, while Al Raha Beach has offered 6.58 per cent. Affordable villas in Al Reef have provided solid returns of 6.34 per cent. Mid-tier villas have yielded 6.17 per cent in Al Raha Gardens and 5.75 per cent in Al Samha, while premium villas in Yas Island have offered investors a 5.46 per cent return. Abu Dhabi's diverse off-plan market has continued to attract significant interest from both local and international investors. For affordable off-plan apartments, Al Reeman 1 in Al Shamkha and Bloom Living in Zayed City have garnered significant investor interest. Those looking for off-plan apartments in the mid-tier range have focused their interest on Yas Bay, whereas Nawayef Park Views on Hudayriat Island has emerged as the preferred choice in the luxury category. Investors eyeing villa purchases have favoured Bloom Living in Zayed City, Al Reeman 2 in Al Shamkha and Reportage Village Abu Dhabi in Khalifa City for affordable options. Off-plan villa buyers have shown a preference for Yas Acres and Al Jurf Gardens in the mid-tier segment. Nawayef West in Hudairiyat Island and Saadiyat Lagoons have garnered the most investor interest in the luxury category. Abu Dhabi's rental market strength has been driven by population growth and consistent demand for quality accommodation from expats: For affordable rentals, Khalifa City and Al Shamkha have remained popular for both apartments and villas, with tenants also considering Shakhbout City for family homes. In the mid-tier segment, tenants have favoured Al Reem Island and Al Khalidiyah for apartments, while Al Raha Gardens and Al Muroor have been popular choices for villas. Yas Island and Saadiyat Island have remained the top luxury picks for both apartments and villas. Rents for affordable apartments have increased between 2 per cent and 21 per cent, with the highest rental rises observed for 2-bedroom units in Al Nahyan, signifying growing demand for larger, budget-friendly units. Mid-range apartment rentals have mirrored this trend, with increases ranging from 3 per cent to 68 per cent; studio units in the Tourist Club Area have reported the highest surge following an increased demand for limited inventory. Asking rents for luxury apartments have reported moderate to major increases of 3 per cent to 14 per cent across popular districts. However, 2 and 3-bedroom units in Saadiyat Island have experienced marginal price reductions of 0.47 per cent and 2 per cent, respectively. In the affordable category, villa rentals have risen by up to 13 per cent in prominent districts. Asking rents for mid-tier villas have generally risen by up to 7 per cent. Luxury villa rentals have reported a mixed trend with up to 7 per cent price increases for 4-bedroom units in Saadiyat Island and Al Bateen, but a somewhat surprising 6 per cent decrease for 5-bedroom units in Saadiyat Island and Yas Island. Haider Ali Khan, CEO of Bayut, CEO of Dubizzle Group MENA and Board Member of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, said: 'Abu Dhabi's real estate market has been on a steady upward path this year, and the interest we're seeing speaks for itself with over 9.3 million visits recorded on Bayut's Abu Dhabi listings in just six months. With strong demand and smart initiatives such as ADREC's Madhmoun boosting transparency, the capital is shaping up to be a really exciting space for both homebuyers and investors. All signs point to Abu Dhabi emerging as one of the most exciting and future-ready real estate destinations in the region.'
Khaleej Times
14-07-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Tech-driven, experiential shopping redefines Dubai retail
Dubai's retail sector is undergoing a dramatic transformation as immersive experiences, digital innovation, and entertainment-led concepts take centre stage. With retail transactions worth Dh587 million recorded in the second quarter of 2025 alone, the emirate is underpinning its status as one of the world's most vibrant consumer markets. According to CRC Property's latest report, The CRC Edit, which tracks retail trends and commercial activity across the UAE, the future of retail is increasingly intertwined with storytelling, technology, and experience. With the announcement of Disneyland Abu Dhabi, the region is poised for an even larger leap into the realm of experiential commerce, positioning itself as a global hub for lifestyle, leisure and retail investment. 'Disneyland Abu Dhabi isn't just a tourism announcement — it's a turning point for how we think about retail and commercial development in the UAE,' said Behnam Bargh, managing director of CRC. 'It signals long-term growth across sectors like hospitality, food and beverage, real estate and especially experiential retail. We expect heightened investor interest, especially around Yas Island, and a ripple effect across Dubai and the wider region.' Retail industry watchers argue that as experiential design becomes the norm and digital fluency defines physical spaces, retail in the UAE is no longer just about shelves and storefronts. It is about 'stories, spectacles and unforgettable journeys — crafted not only to satisfy consumer demand but to shape it,' they said. CRC's Q2 2025 data offers a glimpse into the current strength of Dubai's retail property market. A total of 232 retail transactions were recorded, amounting to Dh587 million in value. The most active locations included Business Bay, Jumeirah Village Circle, Mohammed Bin Rashid City, Arjan, and Dubai Marina — areas that are witnessing strong population growth and evolving consumer demographics. One of the most defining characteristics of Dubai's retail evolution is the integration of technology into physical shopping environments. Nearly 90 per cent of UAE shoppers use digital tools while browsing in-store, and 71 per cent engage with features like augmented reality (AR), interactive kiosks, in-store mobile apps, and QR-activated promotions. The shift isn't just in what consumers buy, but how they want to feel while buying it. Dubai's community malls — once mere convenience centres — are now platforms for digitally enhanced journeys. Smart mirrors, AR fitting rooms, and interactive touchpoints are being introduced at a rapid pace, particularly in mid-sized lifestyle malls catering to younger audiences and families. Global consultancy McKinsey & Co. has observed similar shifts across major retail destinations, noting that 'digital integration and personalization are now critical levers for in-store growth.' In Dubai, this transition is happening faster than in many Western cities, driven by a tech-savvy population and a government pushing digital-first initiatives. Beyond shopping, the dining experience in the city has also evolved dramatically. CRC's report highlights the explosive growth of 'immersive dining,' where theatrical performances, art, and multisensory storytelling now complement culinary excellence. Concepts like Krasota — a 360-degree visual gastronomy theatre — and Le Petit Chef, with its animated 3D tabletop performances, are setting new benchmarks. 'Dubai is no longer satisfied with good food and service,' the report notes. 'It wants spectacle, it wants theatre, it wants story.' This shift reflects a broader trend in the UAE's post-pandemic consumer psyche — one that values novelty, emotion, and Instagrammable moments as much as the core product. Dining out has become about entertainment and engagement, and successful F&B concepts are those that blend taste with surprise. This is reinforced by Dubai's overarching economic strategy. According to a Dubai Chamber of Commerce study, the emirate's retail sales are projected to reach over $70.5 billion in 2025, fuelled by rising tourism, growing affluence, and a flourishing e-commerce ecosystem. Meanwhile, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism has outlined plans to make the city the 'experience capital of the world,' with retail playing a central role in that narrative. 'Dubai's retail landscape is no longer just about transactions,' said an industry analyst from CBRE. 'It's about destinations. Whether it's shopping, dining, or leisure, everything is curated, themed and infused with technology. That's where the future is headed — and Dubai is already there.' With developments like Disneyland Abu Dhabi, hyper-themed malls, and immersive retail zones in the pipeline, the trajectory is clear: Dubai is not just adapting to global retail trends; it is setting them.
Zawya
14-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Retail reinvented: AED 587mln in Q2 sales reflects Dubai's appetite for immersive, tech-led experiences
Dubai, UAE – As Dubai's retail sector races ahead, with sales projected to exceed $70.5 billion by 2025, the demand for curated, trend-savvy insights has never been greater. The CRC Edit — CRC Property's dynamic new retail mini-magazine that unpacks the stories, shifts and cultural moments shaping the region's fast-evolving commercial landscape. The lead story? One with global impact: Disneyland Abu Dhabi is going to be a catalyst for growth and tourism. This announcement is a milestone for regional tourism and signals the UAE's growing status as a global hub for retail, leisure and experiential commerce. However, it's just the tip of the iceberg. Behnam Bargh, Managing Director of CRC, commented: 'The announcement of Disneyland Abu Dhabi marks a defining moment for the region. This isn't just a boost for tourism, it's a long-term catalyst for growth across hospitality, retail, F&B and real estate. With global attention turning to Yas Island, we anticipate a surge in investor interest and commercial activity that will elevate Abu Dhabi's position as a global entertainment and lifestyle hub.' Retail by the Numbers – Q2 Insights from CRC Dubai recorded 232 retail transactions totalling AED 587M in Q2 2025, with top-performing areas including Business Bay, JVC, MBR City, Arjan and Dubai Marina. The appetite for well-positioned retail spaces shows no sign of slowing. Current trends on the forefront of the retail market include a heavy tech-driven customer journey, particularly in community malls across the city, where more retailers are incorporating augmented reality installations, smart mirrors and interactive touchpoints to create curated and immersive shopping environments. The magazine states that today, almost 9 in 10 UAE shoppers rely on digital tools while browsing in-store and 71% report interacting with features such as AR displays, in-store apps, kiosks and QR activations during their last visit. Dubai's Dining Goes Experiential: The Rise of Immersive Dining Concepts Forget just food. The CRC Edit shines a light on how Dubai is a city that demands the extraordinary. The culinary scene is no longer limited to taste alone. It has evolved into a stage, a story and a spectacle. From Krasota's 360° visual gastro-theatre to Le Petit Chef's whimsical 3D table-top performances, restaurants are transforming into immersive experiences that blend flavour, design, art and storytelling. In a city where expectations are constantly being redefined, experiential dining has become the new benchmark for success. About CRC Property CRC Property is the UAE's leading commercial real estate brokerage, offering expert guidance across retail, office, industrial and investment advisory. Backed by over decades of regional expertise and global standards, CRC is a trusted partner for landlords, tenants and investors seeking to navigate the dynamic commercial property landscape of the UAE. With a dedicated team of sector specialists and access to one of the largest commercial databases in the country, CRC delivers data-driven insights, tailored brokerage services and full-spectrum support. For more information, head to:
Arabian Business
08-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Abu Dhabi real estate: 5 trends driving the market as prices rise up to 35%
Abu Dhabi's real estate market has entered a pivotal phase in 2025, with residential property prices rising by up to 35 per cent and investor sentiment surging amid landmark infrastructure and lifestyle developments. According to Oia Properties, H1 2025 marked a 'defining chapter' for the emirate—one where vision has transformed into action. Riyad Magdy, Founder and Chairman of Oia Properties, said: 'While others talk about future potential, we feel strongly that the moment has presented itself. Whether it's new global partnerships, transport infrastructure, or sustainability-led communities, the vision is no longer abstract. It's concrete, funded, and under construction. 'Abu Dhabi has proven itself to be stable, secure, and increasingly sophisticated. These aren't speculative spikes, we're witnessing a market maturing in real time.' Abu Dhabi H1 2025 residential market highlights Price growth: Average price per square foot increased by 10–35 per cent year-on-year, driven by strong activity in communities such as Saadiyat Island, Yas Island, Al Reem, Al Raha Beach, and Al Hudayriyat Island Off-Plan Sales: Rose at a similar rate to ready property sales, signalling robust long-term confidence Oia Properties identified five trends reshaping Abu Dhabi's future real estate sector. From future transport to entertainment mega-projects these are the developments taking the city from vision and into execution. Disneyland Abu Dhabi: The first Disneyland in the Middle East will cement Abu Dhabi's status as a family-friendly lifestyle destination, driving demand for second homes and community-centric developments. Joby electric air taxis (eVTOL): Set to launch by 2026, these electric aircraft will cut travel time between Dubai and Abu Dhabi to just 20 minutes, creating new residential corridors and revolutionising commuter patterns Etihad Rail connectivity: The soon-to-be-completed Etihad Rail will connect Abu Dhabi to key UAE cities, making outer developments more accessible and attractive for residents and investors Rise of branded residences: Global luxury names like Ritz-Carlton, Nobu, and Six Senses are launching branded homes in Abu Dhabi, reflecting growing appeal among ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) Sustainability-led developments: Wellness-focused and ESG-compliant communities are outperforming traditional builds. Al Fahid Island, for example, has become the first island in the world to receive Fitwel certification and LEED Cities and Communities Platinum pre-certification
