Disney just dropped a major bombshell: it’s building an all-new theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi. Yes, that Abu Dhabi. And while Disney execs are hyping up the design (indoor rides! waterfront vibes! futuristic architecture!), the internet is busy side-eyeing a much bigger issue.
First things first: yup, it’s (mostly) indoors
Let’s talk logistics. Abu Dhabi is hot. Like, melt-your-Mickey-ears hot. So how is Disney planning to run a theme park there?
According to Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral Group (the team behind Yas Island’s mega attractions), the plan is to keep it largely inside.
“As you know, we have done all of our theme parks indoor, so Disney will be an indoor theme park,” Zaabi told Dubai Eye.
Think climate-controlled lands, massive indoor showbuildings, and some outdoor areas that concept art hints might exist—but don’t expect Main Street to be open-air like in Anaheim or Paris. Disney Experiences chairman Josh D’Amaro also teased that the park will pull in water from the waterfront for a unique look unlike anything they’ve done before. Honestly? Sounds kinda cool.
But that’s not what people are upset about.
The backlash is already brewing
Almost immediately after the announcement, fans took to social media to call out Disney’s decision to build in a country where LGBTQ+ identities are criminalized and freedom of expression is severely restricted.
Let’s be real: Disney has spent years marketing itself as a company that stands for inclusion, diversity, and love is love. From Pride celebrations in the parks to diverse characters onscreen, it’s become part of their brand. So naturally, fans are asking:
How can Disney wave the rainbow flag in Orlando… and open a park where being queer could get you arrested?
That’s the tension. While Disney is saying this is about expanding their global footprint (and yes, Abu Dhabi has money), the cultural clash is impossible to ignore. Critics are worried that Disney will either have to tone down the inclusion it’s known for—or risk facing censorship and political pressure.
So what now?
The project is still at least five years out, and Disney hasn’t even shared the exact spot on Yas Island yet. But insiders say this is moving fast—this is Abu Dhabi, after all, where mega-projects get greenlit and built at record speed.
Still, no matter how fast it rises, Disneyland Abu Dhabi is already being built under the weight of some very big questions.
Will Disney change the way it presents itself in this market? Or will it try to challenge local norms from inside the magic castle? Either way, fans are watching—and they’re not afraid to hold the Mouse accountable.
