Announcing Disney Abu Dhabi
It's official and it is happening. Miral and Disney have announced plans for a new Disney theme park resort on Yas Island in the UAE.
In a press conference at the W Hotel on Miral's Yas Island this afternoon, Disney and Miral announced an agreement to develop Disney's seventh theme park resort, on Yas Island. We were there and have all the details for you, in an updating story.
Miral is bringing a Disney theme park to Abu Dhabi: There’s no timeline yet, but Disney’s seventh theme park resort will be joining the Middle East’s most popular and creatively success themed entertainment destination.
Meanwhile, it’s not like the competition is just letting Disney claim the region….
Report - Universal eying expansion in India: A news publication in India is reporting that Universal Studios is in talks to open a theme park in a new indoor mall near the Delhi airport.
While the industry’s leaders are expanding around the world, others are looking to sell off property.
Six Flags to close one of its parks after this year: And there it is. The first park closure announcement has hit, following last year's merger of Cedar Fair and Six Flags. Six Flags America in Maryland will close following the 2025 season, the company has announced.
Looking for clues to Six Flags America's demise: Who killed Six Flags America? Let's play a twisted game of theme park 'Clue' and consider our suspects.
New attraction review
The stars are waiting after the show on Expedition Odyssey: As the Central Florida theme park market heats up this month, SeaWorld Orlando is freezing over with Expedition Odyssey. The Mack flying theater attraction opens May 9, but we got an early look during a press preview. Here is our review.
Back at Disney…
Imagineers work to bring Walt Disney back to Disneyland: Disney will premiere what Imagineers are calling their most life-like animatronic ever this summer at Disneyland. And I got a sneak peek last week into the development of this new attraction, called "Walt Disney - A Magical Life."
'Andor' star leads Star Wars celebration at Disneyland: Disneyland celebrated May the Fourth this week by welcoming its guests into the Rebellion. And Star Wars' rebel leader of the moment was there in person to join them - Diego Luna, the titular star of the "Andor" series on Disney+
Live the pirate's life in Walt Disney World's new pirate pub: The Beak and Barrel will open later this year, across from Pirates of the Caribbean in Adventureland. Disney's backstory for the land casts a new character, Captain Meridian "Merry" Goldwyn as the pub's founder and proprietor. But the star of this show likely will be her first mate, a parrot named Rummy.
Disney to offer new trips to Switzerland and Greece: Disney is offering something extra for fans of the Matterhorn Bobsleds and the animated film, Hercules - an opportunity to visit the real-life places that inspired them, via new Adventures by Disney trips.
More news of the week
Busch Gardens sets date for The Wolf's Revenge: Busch Gardens Williamsburg will open its new Bolliger & Mabillard Family Inverted Coaster, The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf's Revenge, on May 23, with member previews beginning one week earlier.
Efteling welcomes a new fairy tale princess this month: Efteling is expanding its Fairytale Forest again. Opening May 14 will be The Princess and the Pea, featuring the first sung narration in the park's iconic collection of fairy tale installations.
In other stories:
We also have some new discussion threads for you, too.
Remember, if you have travel plans anywhere in the world in 2025, you can help support Theme Park Insider while saving money on discounted theme park tickets by following the links to our international and U.S. attraction ticket partners.
For assistance in planning a Disney or Universal vacation, please contact our travel agent partner for a free, no-obligation vacation quote.
Thank you for supporting the Theme Park Insider community,
Robert Niles
An unabashed move. Disney has been courting the LGBTQ community since the 90s. This shows how the company’s values have changed. Or- it was only about the money the whole time.