UAE Theme Parks Often Fail. Can Disneyland Abu Dhabi Succeed?

Massive theme parks get announced in the UAE every decade or so, but what sets Disneyland apart is an operator with a track record for building busy parks in the desert.

Abu Dhabi has high hopes for the new Disneyland, but the track record for theme parks in the UAE is mixed. Typically, large-scale, outdoor parks have not done well in the emirates, though Miral, the owner, operator and developer of the Disney project, has bucked the trend with its string of indoor parks.

Bollywood Parks closed permanently in 2023. Others like Motiongate have struggled with footfall and seasonality, particularly during the summer months, when outdoor attractions become less viable.

The most high-profile casualty was Universal Studios Dubailand, which was unveiled at the Arabian Travel Market in May 2007. The park was to span more than two million square meters and include numerous Universal Studios attractions. A ceremonial gate was erected in 2008 to mark the groundbreaking, but little