Latest news with #JoshDAmaro
The Independent
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Disneyland to close Monsters, Inc. ride to make way for new attraction
Disneyland is closing the Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! ride in early 2026 to make way for a new Avatar-themed attraction. The Monsters, Inc. ride, which has been operating since 2005, takes guests through Monstropolis in a taxi as they help Mike and Sulley return Boo to her home. Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro announced the new Avatar destination, based on Avatar: The Way of Water, at the D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. The Avatar attraction will allow guests to experience the world of Pandora, including its natural wonders, beauty, and dangers, with a focus on the seas of Pandora. Disneyland will also begin construction on a new Coco-themed ride near Paradise Gardens Park and Pixar Pier in the fall, though an opening date has not been released.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Disneyland set to close popular ride to make way for new attraction
Disneyland is set to close a popular ride to make way for a new Avatar -themed attraction. The resort will be saying farewell to Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! The ride will close in early 2026, Disney announced in a blog post on Thursday. The soon to be shuttered ride is based on Disney and Pixar's hit animated film Monsters, Inc., and has been around since 2005, according to D23, Disney's official fan club. For 20 years, guests have zipped around in a taxi in the fictional city of Monstropolis as they helped monsters Mike and Sulley return little girl Boo to her home. While Disney fans will no doubt be sad to see the ride go, a new adventure awaits with the California resort's Avatar destination. Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro revealed the new attraction at Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. The destination is based on the second installment in the Avatar film series, Avatar: The Way of Water. Guests will experience the fictional world of Pandora, an exomoon where the film is set. A Disney blog post from last August said guests 'will go on the adventure of a lifetime in search of majestic natural wonders that can only be found on Pandora and the beauty – and danger – that come along with the journey.' 'This new and thrilling excursion will bring all the action, excitement, and wonder of Avatar, taking guests all the way to the wide-open seas of Pandora.' It's unclear when construction will end for the attraction, as Disney has stated that it's still in the early stages of development. Coco fans will also be pleased to know Disneyland will be creating a new ride based on the 2017 Pixar animated film. The ride will be built near Paradise Gardens Park and Pixar Pier, using space that is predominantly out of guests' view at the moment. The resort said construction will begin this upcoming fall, but has yet to release an opening date.
Condé Nast Traveler
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Condé Nast Traveler
Disney Is Opening Its First Theme Park in the Middle East, Here's Everything You Should Know
Disneyland Abu Dhabi is officially happening. Disney has announced plans for its first theme park in the Middle East, sparking much excitement from fans in the region and beyond. Disneyland Abu Dhabi is being built on Yas Island, joining existing theme parks, Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, and Yas Waterworld. It will become Disney's seventh theme park globally alongside Florida, California, Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. From when it will open, to which rides it might have, here is everything we know about Disneyland Abu Dhabi so far. When will Disneyland Abu Dhabi open? The first thing many fans want to know is when Disneyland Abu Dhabi will open. While there is no official date yet, construction on the resort hasn't started, so it will be a few years before fans can don their Mickey Mouse ears. Speaking to news agency Reuters following the announcement on May 7, Disney Experiences chairman Josh D'Amaro suggested it would be at least six years before the park opens, saying a project of this scale could take a year or two to design, and another four to six years to build. So, at the very earliest, Disneyland Abu Dhabi could open between 2030 and 2033. What will be at Disneyland Abu Dhabi? Disneyland Abu Dhabi is still in its design phase, so there has been no confirmation on which rides and attractions from current Disneyland resorts we might see in Abu Dhabi. However, we do know that the park will be home to a selection of Disney hotels, shops, rides, and restaurants. It was also confirmed that Disneyland Abu Dhabi will contain specific cultural references that celebrate the UAE capital. In its statement, Disney said the park would feature 'storytelling in a way that celebrates both the heritage of Disney and the futuristic and cultural essence of Abu Dhabi." An artist impression of how Disneyland Abu Dhabi will look, including a reimagined castle Courtesy Miral Disney's most futuristic park yet While we don't have details of exactly which rides and attractions will be coming to Disneyland Abu Dhabi, we do know that it will be Disney's most high-tech, interactive theme park to date. We also know that the famous Disney castle, a staple at all Disneyland resorts, will be reimagined for Abu Dhabi. 'The concept for this resort will push the boundaries of theme park design, showcasing groundbreaking technology, and visionary architecture, including a modern castle unlike anything we've ever created," D'Amaro said.
The National
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Timeframe: Yas Island's theme parks, from Ferrari World to Disneyland Abu Dhabi
The announcement of Disneyland Abu Dhabi, the first Disney theme park in the Middle East, is another major milestone for Yas Island. A barren island in 2007 when the first foundation was laid, Yas Island is now one of the UAE's largest tourism projects, home to some of the world's biggest theme parks and record-breaking attractions. Last year, the island had over 38 million visitors, 10 per cent more than the previous year. Disneyland Abu Dhabi 'will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati', said Bob Iger, chief executive of the US entertainment conglomerate, at the unveiling in Abu Dhabi. It will be the company's first all-new location since Shanghai Disney Resort opened in 2016, and the seventh Disney theme park resort destination in the world. Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be the 'most advanced and interactive destination' in the company's portfolio, said Walt Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Josh D'Amaro. 'The location of our park is incredibly unique, anchored by beautiful waterfront, which will allow us to tell our stories in completely new ways,' he added. Yas Island developer Miral will build the theme park. While an opening date is yet to be announced, here's a look the theme parks already open on Yas Island. One year after Yas Island hosted the inaugural Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2009, it opened its doors to the general public with the world's first Ferrari-branded theme park. Offering rides, attractions and experiences inspired by the Italian luxury sports car brand, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi set the tone for the island. That same year, the Formula Rossa was certified by Guinness World Records as 'the fastest rollercoaster made of steel', a title it still holds. The Formula Rossa can accelerate up to 240km per hour and 52 metres upwards in 4.9 seconds. The one-minute ride remains a star attraction at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. The theme park has earned three more Guinness World Records, and a new 'record-breaking' roller-coaster ride is to be added soon, developer Miral announced last month. This Emirati-themed water park opened in 2013, offering more than 45 rides, slides and attractions. Designed to honour the UAE's pearl-diving heritage, it has become a popular family destination, with six Guinness World Records to its name. The rides are based on The Legend of the Lost Pearl, which follows Dana, a young Emirati girl who voyages across the desert to bring back a legendary pearl that can grant prosperity to her village. Along the way, she faces greedy bandits and obstacles as she discovers hidden treasures and secret passages woven within the attractions. Yas Waterworld recently announced a 16,900-square metre expansion, due to open in the summer, with 12 new rides and slides. An additional Lost City theme will be introduced, which will continue the waterpark's original story. The park's record-breaking feats include the most nationalities in a swimming pool, the most water moved using a sponge in one minute, and the fastest time to topple 10 targets using a water pistol. The region's largest indoor theme park opened in 2018, combining superheroes and cartoon characters from the movie studio with thrilling rides and adventures. In six immersive zones – Warner Bros Plaza, Metropolis, Gotham City, Cartoon Junction, Dynamite Gulch and Bedrock – fans can step into the world of their favourite characters and the blockbuster films they inspired. A Harry Potter-themed land, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, was announced in 2022. The world's first and only Warner Bros hotel opened next to the theme park in 2021. The launch featured Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and many more much-loved characters from Warner Bros' vast entertainment dynasty. In 2019, Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi set a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people wearing capes. The event was organised to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Batman. In 2023, more than 900 superhero fans, aged from four to 79, attended the first Superman Run at the theme park. The region's first marine life theme park opened in 2023, featuring eight themed realms and 68,000 marine animals. Spanning five indoor levels over 183,000 square metres, the outpost of the American theme park tells a One Ocean story, blending learning and fun. There are animal displays and presentations, more than 35 interactive experiences and rides, plus 17 dining options and 13 retail outlets. There is also roaming entertainment across the realms. Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Centre, an additional 8,602-square metre facility, focuses on marine conservation and education. The centre, whose staff include scientists and vets, works with the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi to help injured marine life in the region.
Fast Company
07-05-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
Disney heads to Abu Dhabi with new park as earnings beat expectations
The Walt Disney Company's stock price soared on Wednesday, up by 10% at the time of publishing, as the company surpassed earnings expectations and unveiled its first new theme park development in 15 years. Following Disney's second quarter earnings report, the entertainment giant announced an agreement to build a new resort and theme park in Yas Island, United Arab Emirates. 'As our seventh theme park destination, it will rise from this land in spectacular fashion, blending contemporary architecture with cutting edge technology to offer guests deeply immersive entertainment experiences in unique and modern ways,' Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a statement. While no opening date or project timeline has been released yet, the Abu Dhabi–based experiences company Miral Group is set to develop and build the new shoreline resort, with Disney imagineers leading operational oversight and creative design. 'Our resort in Abu Dhabi will be the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio,' said chairman of Disney Experiences Josh D'Amaro. Prior to the theme park announcement, Disney also released its favorable second quarter earning report, recognizing 'that uncertainty remains regarding the operating environment for the balance of the fiscal year,' the company said in the report. Disney reported a 7% increase in revenues this quarter in comparison to the same period last year, increasing to $23.6 billion. Notably, Disney's entertainment saw significant growth, with a 2.5 million subscription growth for Disney+ and Hulu from this years first fiscal quarter. 'We have a lot more to look forward to, including our upcoming theatrical slate, the launch of ESPN's new DTC offering, and an unprecedented number of expansion projects underway in our Experiences segment,' Iger said in the report. 'We remain optimistic about the direction of the company and our outlook for the remainder of the fiscal year.'
