Latest news with #WaltDisneyImagineering
The Star
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Abu Dhabi set to have its own Disney park at Yas Island
An artist's rendering of a Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi. — Walt Disney Imagineering/Reuters Disney will build its seventh theme park, this time in the United Arab Emirates, the entertainment company said recently. The waterfront resort will be built on Yas Island on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, already home to Formula One's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Ferrari and Warner Bros amusement parks, SeaWorld, and a waterpark. Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula. Home to nine million people, it has leveraged its long-haul carriers Emirates and Etihad Airways to bring in more tourists over the years. A real-estate boom and the city's highest-ever tourism numbers have made Dubai a destination as well as a layover. Disney and Miral, the Abu Dhabi developer overseeing the project, hope to capitalise on the 120 million airline passengers that travel through Abu Dhabi and Dubai each year. While long viewed as more buttoned up than the beaches and raucous nightlife in neighbouring Dubai, Abu Dhabi also is home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi and there are more museums currently under construction. The theme park announcement is being made ahead of a visit by United States president Donald Trump to the region. Trump has promised a series of business deals with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE. The theme park will be built and operated by Miral, but Disney will handle the design and development. Disney will also license its intellectual property and provide development and management services, according to a regulatory filing. The California company will not be providing any capital for the project. It will earn royalties based on the resort's revenues. It will also earn service fees. Miral has been involved in the development of almost all of the entertainment complexes built on the island. A projected opening date has not been announced. – AP
American Military News
10-05-2025
- Business
- American Military News
Disney planning theme park resort in Abu Dhabi
Walt Disney Co. is planning a theme park resort for Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, the company confirmed Wednesday. The attraction will be on the waterfront of Yas Island, already a leisure travel destination. The new resort will be built, financed and operated by Miral, an Abu Dhabi-based developer. Walt Disney Co. and Walt Disney Imagineering will lead creative design and operational oversight. It will use Disney-licensed properties. 'Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati. It will serve as an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment for millions and millions of people in this crossroads of the world, connecting travelers from the Middle East and Africa, India, Asia, Europe and beyond,' Disney CEO Robert Iger said from the UAE during a call with market analysts Wednesday. Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, touted the opportunity. 'The location of our park is incredibly unique – anchored by a beautiful waterfront – which will allow us to tell our stories in completely new ways,' D'Amaro said in a news release. 'This project will reach guests in a whole new part of the world, welcoming more families to experience Disney than ever before.' 'What we are creating with Disney in Abu Dhabi is a whole new world of imagination — an experience that will inspire generations across the region and the world, creating magical moments and memories that families will treasure forever,' said Khalifa Al Mubarak, Miral's chairman. Iger said Imagineers are already working on a design for the Abu Dhabi resort. 'Disney will oversee design license, our IP and provide operational expertise, while Miral will provide the capital construction resources and operational oversight,' Iger said. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi (licensed by Orlando-based United Parks & Resorts), Warner Bros. World, Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld parks currently operate on Yas Island. The announcement does not affect the $30 billion commitment planned for Disney parks in Florida and California, Iger said. Iger, in an interview with CNBC, said it takes about two years to develop a park and five years to build 'but we're not making any commitments right now.' The announcement came on the heels of Walt Disney Co.'s quarterly earnings report, including increases in revenue and operating income for its parks and destinations division. Revenue for domestic parks was up 9% with a 13% increase in operating income. International parks revenue was down 5%, which was attributed to lower attendance and increased costs at Shanghai Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland. Iger was cautious about theme park visitation moving forward. 'Despite questions around any macroeconomic uncertainty or the impact of competition, I'm encouraged by the strength and resilience of our business, as evidenced in these earnings and in the second-half bookings at Walt Disney World,' he said. Overall revenue for Walt Disney Co. increased 7% to $23.6 billion in the company's second fiscal quarter. ___ © 2025 Orlando Sentinel. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Chicago Tribune
07-05-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Disney planning theme park resort in Abu Dhabi
Walt Disney Co. is planning a theme park resort for Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, the company confirmed Wednesday. The attraction will be on the waterfront of Yas Island, already a leisure travel destination. The new resort will be built, financed and operated by Miral, an Abu Dhabi-based developer. Walt Disney Co. and Walt Disney Imagineering will lead creative design and operational oversight. It will use Disney-licensed properties. 'Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati. It will serve as an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment for millions and millions of people in this crossroads of the world, connecting travelers from the Middle East and Africa, India, Asia, Europe and beyond,' Disney CEO Robert Iger said from the UAE during a call with market analysts Wednesday. Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, touted the opportunity. 'The location of our park is incredibly unique – anchored by a beautiful waterfront – which will allow us to tell our stories in completely new ways,' D'Amaro said in a news release. 'This project will reach guests in a whole new part of the world, welcoming more families to experience Disney than ever before.' 'What we are creating with Disney in Abu Dhabi is a whole new world of imagination — an experience that will inspire generations across the region and the world, creating magical moments and memories that families will treasure forever,' said Khalifa Al Mubarak, Miral's chairman. Iger said Imagineers are already working on a design for the Abu Dhabi resort. 'Disney will oversee design license, our IP and provide operational expertise, while Miral will provide the capital construction resources and operational oversight,' Iger said. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi (licensed by Orlando-based United Parks & Resorts), Warner Bros. World, Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld parks currently operate on Yas Island. The announcement does not affect the $30 billion commitment planned for Disney parks in Florida and California, Iger said. Iger, in an interview with CNBC, said it takes about two years to develop a park and five years to build 'but we're not making any commitments right now.' The announcement came on the heels of Walt Disney Co.'s quarterly earnings report, including increases in revenue and operating income for its parks and destinations division. Revenue for domestic parks was up 9% with a 13% increase in operating income. International parks revenue was down 5%, which was attributed to lower attendance and increased costs at Shanghai Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland. Iger was cautious about theme park visitation moving forward. 'Despite questions around any macroeconomic uncertainty or the impact of competition, I'm encouraged by the strength and resilience of our business, as evidenced in these earnings and in the second-half bookings at Walt Disney World,' he said. Overall revenue for Walt Disney Co. increased 7% to $23.6 billion in the company's second fiscal quarter.
Time Out Abu Dhabi
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
There's a Disney theme park resort coming to Abu Dhabi
Pack your Mickey ears and get ready for a whole new world, because Disney Abu Dhabi is officially coming to Abu Dhabi. Yes, you read that right. The happiest place on earth is setting up shop on Yas Island and it's going to be unlike anything we've seen before. Set to be the seventh Disney theme park destination in the world, it isn't just a wish upon a star, Disney CEO Bob Iger himself came to Abu Dhabi to make the big announcement, confirming that the dream is becoming reality. It's set to be the most advanced and interactive Disney destination ever built. Big words? Sure. But if anyone can deliver on the magic, it's Disney. Behind the scenes, the Walt Disney Imagineering team and those at Miral are already hard at work designing the park, dreaming up rides and experiences that will blow your socks off. And thanks to Yas Island's stunning waterfront setting, Disney Abu Dhabi will be able to tell stories in bold, new ways *shrieks with excitement*. But it's not just about tech and views – it's about celebrating where we are. Disney Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney but it will also feature distinct Emirati themes woven through the entire experience. Expect stories, characters, and design elements that reflect the UAE's culture, traditions, and future-facing energy – all brought to life in true Disney style. From new takes on beloved characters to dazzling new worlds built just for this region, the park promises to bring Disney's storytelling to life in ways we've never seen before. Yas Island has never been one to do things by halves, and we're betting this Disney debut will be just as over-the-top, family-friendly, and utterly fabulous as the rest of the island's offerings. Whether you're a Marvel mega-fan, a Star Wars loyalist, or someone who still cries when they hear 'Let It Go', your dream vacation spot just got even cooler. Bob Iger, chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company said: 'This is an extraordinary opportunity for Disney to bring its renowned storytelling to yet another region of the world with a completely new theme park experience that will be a cultural, entertainment and technological marvel. 'Abu Dhabi's position as an international crossroads, its embrace of global culture, and its ambitious vision for the future make it a perfect location for Disney to reach millions of new families and captivate guests for generations to come.' Speaking of the concept that Disney will bring to the UAE, Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, said: '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. 'This project, together with our ambitious expansion plans in Florida and California, will create thousands of new jobs in the US as we enter into a new era of expansion.' Stay tuned – we'll be updating faster than you can say Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo as soon as more magical details drop. In the meantime, we're already dreaming of castle selfies, churros, and spinning teacups… More going on in Abu Dhabi UAE residents can now save big time on flights thanks to a new Skyscanner feature No complaints here You can now get a robotaxi from Zayed International Airport Trips to the airport just got an upgrade Abu Dhabi's best restaurants: Everywhere you should eat at least once Your dinner inspo is sorted 20 incredibly fun ways to explore Abu Dhabi after dark The city is at its most fascinating once the sun goes down
Los Angeles Times
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
It ‘keeps Walt alive in the medium he pioneered': Imagineers defend new Walt Disney robot
'It's kind of fun to do the impossible.' That's one of Walt Disney's most popular quotes, often used in the context of the theme park marvels imagined by the company he created. Over the decades Walt Disney Imagineering, the secretive arm of the Walt Disney Co. devoted to theme park experiences, has dreamed up a room full of singing birds and flowers, brought to life a mini New Orleans, captured the idealism of space flight and re-envisioned modern transportation, to name just a few of its many varied accomplishments. For its latest trick, Imagineering will attempt to resurrect a life of sorts, that is to fully animate a highly accurate robotic creation of one of the most recognizable figures of the 20th century, Walt Disney himself. First unveiled last summer at the company's fan convention D23, the goal, said Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro at the event, is to capture 'what it would have been like to be in Walt's presence.' That means finding a middle ground between romanticism and realism. On Wednesday morning, Imagineering previewed for a select group of media the upcoming show 'Walt Disney — A Magical Life,' set to premiere July 17 to coincide with Disneyland's official 70th anniversary, when it will temporarily displace an attraction centered on a robotic Abraham Lincoln. An early sculpt of what would become the animatronic was revealed, one complete with age spots on Disney's hands and weariness around his eyes — Imagineers stressed their intent is faithful accuracy — but much of the attraction remains secretive. The animatronic wasn't shown, nor did Imagineering provide any images of the figure, which it promises will be one of its most technically advanced. Instead, Imagineering sought to show the care in which it was bringing Disney back to life while also attempting to assuage any fears regarding what has become a much-debated project among the Disney community. When D'Amaro unveiled 'A Magical Life' last summer, he did so noting he had the support of the Disney family, singling out Disney's grandnephew, Roy P. Disney, who was in the audience. Yet soon a social media missive critical of the attraction from Walt's granddaughter would go viral. It raised anew ethical questions that often surround any project attempting to capture the dead via technology, be it holographic representations of performers or digitally re-created cinematic animations, namely debates surrounding the wishes of the deceased and whether such creations are exploitative. 'Dehumanizing,' wrote Joanna Miller in her Facebook post on the figure. The animatronic somewhat represents a shift in thinking for the Walt Disney Co., as the majority of its robotic figures are representations of fictional characters or overly-saturated political figures such as those in Florida's Hall of Presidents, in which new politicians are added while they are living. Arguably, the Walt Disney Co. first tested the public's willingness to embrace a resurrected Disney via a holographic-like projection for its touring 'Disney 100: The Exhibition,' which initially raised some eyebrows. Longtime Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald, known for his work on beloved Disney projects such as Star Tours and the Guardians of the Galaxy coaster in Florida, said Wednesday that 'A Magical Life' has been in the works for about seven years. Asked directly about ethical concerns in representing the deceased via a robotic figurine, Fitzgerald noted the importance of the Walt Disney story, not only to the company but to culture at large. 'His life story had been told in these other formats already,' Fitzgerald says, referencing the film 'Walt Disney: One Man's Dream,' which currently airs at Florida's Hollywood Studios. 'What could we do at Disneyland for our audience that would be part of our tool kit vernacular but that would bring Walt to life in a way that you could only experience at the park? We felt the technology had gotten there. We felt there was a need to tell that story in a fresh way.' Disneyland, in contrast to the company's other parks around the globe, places a premium on historical attractions, in part because it's the only park Disney walked in. The park's patriarch even had a small apartment on Main Street, U.S.A., in which he would occasionally spend the night. After its initial run during the 70th celebration, 'A Magical Life' will play in tandem with 'Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln' thanks to a newly constructed revolving stage. A new pre-show gallery will feature a mini-re-creation of Disney's apartment and also unveil some never-before-seen artifacts, such as early master plans of Disneyland. The figure, essentially, was created in part to anticipate criticism. Fitzgerald notes modern audiences, with the ability to zoom in on a character via smartphone, are far more discerning. The animatronic will aim to represent Disney in 1963. Disney died in 1966 at 65. 'He needs to be able to speak with his hands. Hands, very important,' Fitzgerald says. 'When you watch Walt Disney talking, he's very expressive with his hands when he talks. He also has expressive eyebrows, which many of you had heard about. When he speaks, he speaks with his eyebrows. ... One of the things I discovered in watching the footage, he doesn't blink when he speaks.' Thus, when animating the figure's eye movements, Fitzgerald says, there was much discussion over his 'blink profile,' ensuring it matched up with filmed footage. Though the exact arc of the show, which will run about 17 minutes, wasn't revealed, Fitzgerald and fellow Imagineer Jeff Shaver-Moskowitz, who was instrumental in the recent reimagining of Disneyland's Toontown, noted that all dialogue will be taken directly from Disney's speeches. The setting will be in Disney's office, and for much of the show Disney will be leaning on his desk, although the figure was teased as being able to stand up. Fitzgerald and Shaver-Moskowitz note that they researched Disney's shoe size, looked at molds of his hands and even attempted — and failed — to find out which hair products Disney used. He will be wearing a tie emblazoned with the logo for Palm Springs' Smoke Tree Ranch, a favorite retreat of Disney's. 'We didn't order an animatronic to look like Walt,' Shaver-Moskowitz says. 'We built a Walt animatronic to deliver a performance that was specifically Walt.' Yet can any animatronic capture the essence of a human, even a theatrical interpretation of one? 'You could never get the casualness of his talking,' Disney's granddaughter Miller wrote in her post. While those who know the Disney family have confirmed the veracity of the post, attempts to reach Miller have been unsuccessful. Members of the Walt Disney family are said to be divided, with many supporting the animatronic and some others against it, say those in the know who have declined to speak on the record for fear of ruining their relationships. 'He was so fascinated with technology, and also the intersection between technology and art,' says Kirsten Komoroske, executive director of the Walt Disney Family Museum, of Disney. Multiple descendants of Disney's sit on various boards that the Family Museum is associated with, and Komoroske says those working with the institution have pledged their support of the animatronic. 'They really feel that he would have liked this project.' Others who knew Disney, such as legendary Imagineer Bob Gurr, the designer of the Disneyland Monorail, the Matterhorn Bobsleds and more, as well as a pivotal collaborator on the Lincoln figure, have confirmed that they have seen the animatronic but have chosen not to discuss it. 'I am embargoed,' Gurr told The Times, adding only that the public would have 'quite a reaction.' Imagineers were asked about Miller's comments. Dusty Sage, executive editor of Disney fan site Micechat, told the audience he has spoken with Miller and her primary concern was that Disney never wanted to be turned into a robotic figure. 'In all our research, we never found any documentation of Walt saying that,' Shaver-Moskowitz says. 'We know that it's anecdotal and we can't speak to what was told to people in private and we can't speak to Joanna's specific feelings about the project. But we have worked very diligently for many years with the Walt Disney Family Museum and members of the Disney and Miller family. ... We've taken care to make sure that the family is along the journey with us and we feel that we've presented a faithful and theatrical presentation that keeps Walt alive in the medium that he pioneered.' The Walt Disney Co. has made a significant effort over the years to mythologize Disney. Statues of Disney can be found at both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, and trinkets bearing his image, including an ornament of the latter, can occasionally be spotted for sale in the park's gift shops. The reality of who Disney was has arguably become obscured. 'Walt Disney — A Magical Life' will walk a fine line when it opens, attempting to inspire a new generation to look into Disney's life while also portraying him as more than just a character in the park's arsenal. 'Why are we doing this now?' Fitzgerald says. 'For two reasons. One is Disneyland's 70th anniversary is an ideal time we thought to create a permanent tribute to Walt Disney in the Opera House. The other: I grew up watching Walt Disney on television. I guess I'm the old man. He came into our living room every week and chatted and it was very casual and you felt like you knew the man. But a lot of people today don't know Walt Disney was an individual. They think Walt Disney is a company.' And now nearly 60 years after his death, Disney will once again grace Main Street, whether or not audiences — or even some members of his family — are ready to greet him.
