With the stunning announcement that Disney will open a brand-new theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi, one of the most immediate questions has been: how will it even work in such a hot climate? Now we know—Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be mostly indoors.
In a recent interview with Dubai Eye, Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral Group—the developer behind Yas Island’s other major theme parks—confirmed the approach.
“As you know, we have done all of our theme parks indoor, so Disney will be an indoor theme park,” said Zaabi.
It’s not a total surprise given the extreme heat in Abu Dhabi, where average summer highs can exceed 110°F—significantly hotter than Disney’s other parks. The concept art released by Disney suggests a blend of indoor and outdoor elements, though the scale of the indoor components is likely to be unlike anything we’ve seen from Disney before.
Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, hinted at the scale of the project in an interview with CNBC, calling the architecture “incredibly ambitious” and praising the waterfront location. D’Amaro also mentioned that the park will creatively use both indoor and outdoor space, allowing water to be drawn into the resort in ways not possible at other Disney properties.
Despite no confirmed opening date, CEO Bob Iger said during a recent earnings call that the project is still more than five years away—but emphasized Abu Dhabi’s rapid construction capabilities and the significant funding available for the project.
But Critics Are Concerned: Disney’s Values vs. Abu Dhabi Law
As Disney leans into its global expansion strategy, not all fans are celebrating. The Abu Dhabi project has already come under fire from some Disney fans and human rights observers who note a troubling contradiction: Disney’s brand is built on inclusion and acceptance, while Abu Dhabi’s laws and cultural restrictions often stand in stark contrast—particularly when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights.
Disney has been increasingly vocal about its support for diversity and inclusion, publicly supporting the LGBTQ+ community through Pride events, inclusive workplace policies, and on-screen representation. In contrast, homosexuality is criminalized in the United Arab Emirates, and strict limitations exist on freedom of expression and gender identity.
Critics online have questioned how Disney will uphold its values in a country where those very values are not legally protected. Others have asked whether Disney will self-censor content or experiences in the Abu Dhabi park to comply with local laws.
“You can’t wave the rainbow flag in Florida and then pretend that’s not a core value when you build in Abu Dhabi,” wrote one user in a viral thread on X (formerly Twitter).
For now, Disney has not directly addressed how it plans to navigate this cultural tension. Iger called Abu Dhabi “a perfect location” for Disney’s next theme park, but many remain skeptical that Disney can maintain its inclusive identity while operating within a system that restricts those freedoms.
As more details emerge, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely—not just for the architecture and attractions, but for how Disney handles cultural and ethical questions that could define its next chapter as a truly global brand.
For a company that’s long positioned itself as a leader in inclusivity, Disneyland Abu Dhabi could be the ultimate test of how far Disney is willing to go to balance profit with principle.
