From Abu Dhabi to Anaheim
From Disney's seventh theme park resort to Disneyland's 70th anniversary, here is the week in theme park news.
It's been a busy week. I started it in Abu Dhabi, for last week's news that Disney would build its seventh theme park resort on Yas Island in the United Arab Emirates. One 16-hour flight later, I was back in Southern California, where this week I am in Anaheim for the press preview of the Disneyland Resort's 70th anniversary celebration.
From Abu Dhabi
Disney celebrates Abu Dhabi with ultimate nighttime spectacular: Before an invitation-only crowd on Yas Island, Disney and Miral commemorated their new partnership with a musical celebration. Grammy winner Steve Sidwell conducted an orchestra of more than 100 members, accompanied by a choir. Lang Lang performed on piano, joined by West End star Kerry Ellis as well as Disney on Broadway's Sonya Balsara and Emirati singer Rashed Al Nuaimi. And, oh yeah, there were fireworks... and 9,000 drones forming Disney castles in the sky.
Why did Disney choose Abu Dhabi for its next theme park? To answer that question, I think we need to back up and consider what led Disney's brain trust to choose to build in the Middle East. And from there, we can see why the company chose to go with Abu Dhabi... and what that decision says about Disney.
What is next for Disney Abu Dhabi? Let's look at those next steps for this ambitious theme park resort development, starting with a hiring spree by Walt Disney Imagineering.
How the Disney Abu Dhabi announcement came together: Let's do the 'insider' thing and talk about my crazy week. It actually started April 30, when I received an email from Miral's press relations agency, inviting me to a celebration of Miral's 15th anniversary on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi - in five days.
How will Universal respond to Disney Abu Dhabi? So what happens next in the theme park industry's ongoing sibling rivalry? Now that Disney has chose Abu Dhabi and the UAE by partnering Miral for its next theme park, surely Universal will have some response, right?
And on to Anaheim
Disneyland gets ready to celebrate its 70th birthday: Yesterday was day one of Disneyland's press preview for its 70th anniversary celebration. Follow along here for the celebration entertainment at Disney California Adventure, including the premiere of World of Color Happiness. But before that show bows, Disney is offering a fun "safety spiel" pre-show, starring the last characters who should be entrusted with anything involving safety - The Muppets.
Disneyland's new show for kids will entertain Disney adults, too: There's a new show for kids and their families at the Disneyland Resort. Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! will debut on Friday in the Disney Theater at Disney California Adventure, and we got a first look last night. [With video]
There's a new way to experience this Haunted Mansion tale: BTW, the debut novel from former Walt Disney Imagineering President Bob Weis - which was inspired by Disneyland's Haunted Mansion - now is available as an audio book.
Coming up
Vacation season heats up with May's new theme park attractions: Let's round-up the major new attraction debuts happening this month.
Universal reveals more about its Las Vegas horror experience: Universal Destinations & Experiences has released a new behind-the-scenes teaser video for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre experiences in its upcoming horror attraction in Las Vegas.
Walt Disney World announces fall festival dates: Disney has announced the 2025 dates for its Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom, as well as for the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.
Financial reports this week
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