On Wednesday, Disney confirmed a partnership with Miral, a state-backed developer, to build what will be the company’s seventh global theme park resort. The company said the park will incorporate “Disney’s iconic stories, characters and attractions with Abu Dhabi’s vibrant culture, stunning shorelines, and breathtaking architecture.”
“The Walt Disney Company and Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, announced an agreement to create a landmark Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates,” Disney said in a press release. CEO Bob Iger described the announcement as a “thrilling moment for our company,” adding, “Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati.”
Homosexuality in the UAE is punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The law also allows criminal charges for transgender people or anyone perceived as “disguising” themselves as the opposite sex. These laws are based on Islamic Sharia law.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism, said the city is a place “where we preserve our past while designing the future.”
The decision to open a park in the UAE follows Disney’s public clash with Florida officials over the state’s Parental Rights in Education law. Signed in 2022, the law limits classroom instruction on sexual orientation and radical gender ideology for young children. The Biden administration termed it the "Don't Say Gay" bill, which was both a misrepresentation and a fight Disney took up in earnest.
At the time, then-CEO Bob Chapek said he had contacted Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to voice concerns that the law could “unfairly target gay, lesbian, non-binary and transgender kids and families.”
In recent years, Disney has also faced criticism from parents for LGBT content in children’s media. The 2022 animated film Lightyear, which included a same-sex kiss, underperformed majorly at the box office. Disney’s parks division brought in $8.9 billion in revenue during the second quarter of this year.
