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Disney To Build Park In Abu Dhabi

Disney To Build Park In Abu Dhabi

A few years back, Disney took center stage in America’s cultural battleground, slamming Florida’s Parental Rights in Education law. Branded by critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, the legislation simply restricted classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity for children in kindergarten through third grade.

But to hear Disney tell it, you’d think Florida had banned rainbows. Then-CEO Bob Chapek phoned Governor Ron DeSantis to express the company’s “disappointment and concern,” and the public relations fireworks began. Disney, the legacy empire of family fun, chose to step into the political spotlight — not with subtlety, but with fury.

Fast forward to 2025, and the tune has changed. This time, Disney isn’t picking a fight. It’s picking a partner: Abu Dhabi.


Yes, Abu Dhabi — capital of the United Arab Emirates, where homosexuality is not just frowned upon, but illegal, with laws rooted in Sharia that include prison terms for same-sex relationships and criminal penalties for cross-dressing or “impersonating” another gender. In other words, it’s the kind of place where the issues Disney once claimed to champion are actively suppressed. And yet, this is where the company has chosen to build its first new theme park in fifteen years.

Why? Because Abu Dhabi means business — and in Disney’s world, business trumps everything.

The official announcement of “Disneyland Abu Dhabi” was wrapped in glitter and buzzwords. CEO Bob Iger called it a “thrilling moment.” The project would, he promised, be both “authentically Disney” and “distinctly Emirati.” There was talk of “vibrant culture,” “stunning shorelines,” and “breathtaking architecture.” Not a whisper about human rights. No declarations of solidarity with marginalized groups. Just the quiet hum of profits being prioritized over principles.

It’s not that Disney was ever truly apolitical — no major corporation is. But the contrast here is glaring. In the U.S., Disney publicly challenged elected officials over legislation with limited scope in early childhood education. In the UAE, where real legal penalties hang over LGBTQ citizens, Disney sees nothing but “immersion,” “magic,” and “new horizons.”

The company’s parks division, to be fair, is a financial powerhouse. It raked in $8.9 billion last quarter alone. But even that strength hasn’t protected Disney’s stock from tumbling 17.2% this year. Perhaps that’s what makes Abu Dhabi such an appealing bet: a fresh market, fat incentives, and an audience far removed from the messy culture wars of American politics.

Written by Mark Stevens - May 8, 2025