In an interview on CNBC, Disney CEO Bob Iger and Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro discussed the recently announced plans for a Disney theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi. In talking about the history of this deal, Iger expanded on how Abu Dhabi has been in Disney’s sights for some time, but that the current deal came together quite quickly. Here’s the latest.
Disney’s Abu Dhabi Theme Park Plans Developed Quickly
Disney CEO Bob Iger said that an Abu Dhabi theme park has been in Disney’s sights for 7-8 years, but that the most recent plans were developed relatively quickly. Iger says that he has visited Abu Dhabi three times in the past nine months.
Here’s the timeline that Iger discussed.
2017
Iger said he started to explore the region in about 2017 or 2018. Iger said that he sent some Disney representatives to the region, saying that it was time that Disney began to learn more.
2020
In February 2020, then Parks Chairman Bob Chapek was named CEO as Iger stepped down. Iger didn’t say that this move killed the Abu Dhabi plans, but it doesn’t sound like anything really happened during Chapek’s time as CEO. To an extent, that would make sense given that Chapek was likely intently focused on managing the COVID-19 crisis.
November 2022
Bob Iger returns to Disney, replacing Bob Chapek as CEO. Sometime after Iger returned, executives from Miral came to Burbank, California to make an “impassioned plea” to Iger and D’Amaro. Iger called the pitch “very impressive”.
September 2024
Iger and D’Amaro made a trip to Abu Dhabi. Iger said that he and D’Amaro were “very impressed” and started to get excited about the concept. Iger said that they started to draw out some sketches on the plane, visualizing what the theme park could be.
February 2024
Iger and D’Amaro returned to Abu Dhabi following discussions with partners and consulting heavily with the Disney Board of Directors. That began the negotiation phase of the project. Iger said that everything moved quickly from there.
May 2025
Disneyland Abu Dhabi was announced to the public.
For more details about the Disneyland Abu Dhabi project, check out the original announcement below!
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