Disney announces an Abu Dhabi theme park and resort
CNBCMAY 8
Disney to Build Theme Park Resort in Abu Dhabi
Above: The Shanghai Disney Resort with new Year of the Snake-themed decorations on Jan. 19, 2025 in Shanghai, China. Image copyright: VCG/Contributor/Visual China Group via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Disney's choice of Abu Dhabi represents brilliant strategic foresight. By leveraging Miral's deep pockets without risking capital, they've secured a gateway to 500 million income-qualified customers within four hours' flight. This Tokyo-style licensing model delivers pure Disney magic to a region hungry for premium experiences while generating royalty streams to fuel domestic expansions — a masterclass in risk-free global growth.
Establishment-critical narrative
Disney's breathtaking hypocrisy stands nakedly exposed as it courts Abu Dhabi — a regime that imprisons members of the LGBTQ+ community — after righteously battling Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill. While championing LGBTQ+ rights domestically, Disney eagerly sacrifices these principles for profit. This moral bankruptcy reveals corporate activism as merely performative when billions are at stake.