Disneyland Abu Dhabi was announced on Wednesday, and one big question Skift had about the project was how it would manage heat.
Disney has other parks in hot climates, such as Orlando, but the emirate is on another level. Temperatures often surpass 100°F in the emirates, and can even reach 120°F in the summer months. Many outdoor parks in the country, such as Global Village in Dubai, have to close during these hotter periods.
Local developer Miral Group, which will develop and operate the Disney park, runs several other attractions and all are indoors: Ferrari World, SeaWorld, and Warner Bros World.
But Disney Parks chairperson Josh D’Amaro said in an interview on CNBC when the project was unveiled Wednesday that it would be a hybrid. âWe’re being incredibly ambitious in terms of the architecture, use of indoor and outdoor space,â he said. âOne of the great things about the piece of land that we’ll be building on is it’s right up against the water and so we’ll be pulling water into this resort.â
Miral Group CEO Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi told local radio station Dubai Eye Thursday that the park would be indoors. “Disney will be indoors,” he said Thursday. “As you know, we have done all our theme parks indoors.”
Al Zaabi said that the Disney park would be the most advanced in the portfolio. “I would say itâs too early to share details about the design, but I will say itâll be the most advanced Disney theme park in the world. Expect local tech companies to be involved, as well as Disney’s experience from around the world. Itâs a resort, so itâll include so many features and so many elements.â
On the topic of heat management, Abu Dhabi does have some tech. In March this year, the capital unveiled what it dubbed the world’s first air-conditioned street. In Dubai, a resort claims to have built the first outdoor street where it can make rain on command.
The Disney park will be on Yas Island. Asked whether the island would have to be expanded to fit a Disney park, Al Zaabi couldn’t give a firm answer. âThat will be considered. There will be an upgrade to services and infrastructure,â he said.
No timeline or budget has been given for the project yet, but Disney chief Bob Iger told CNBC that once construction begins, it would take at least five years.
Correction: The article has been updated to add comments from the chairperson of Disney Parks, who noted the park in Abu Dhabi would make use of indoor and outdoor space.
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