Disney to Build Theme Park Resort in Abu Dhabi

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.

Metaculus Prediction


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© 2025 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.14.0

© 2025 Improve the News Foundation.

All rights reserved.

Version 6.14.0