Arabic Inspirations: Characters and Locations for Disneyland Abu Dhabi

Disney is heading to the UAE capital. Today’s announcement revealed this news. Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be constructed on Yas Island.

This development signifies Disney's inaugural theme park in the MENA area, yet it represents another significant milestone in Disney’s enduring connection with the Arabian peninsula.

For almost a hundred years, this area has been a source of inspiration for properties owned by Disney, influencing cherished animated characters, worlds in a distant galaxy, and even well-known superheroes.

And Disneyland Abu Dhabi won’t merely be an exact replica of the other locations. Disneyland parks around the world , CEO Bob Iger confirmed. It will be inspired by Arab culture.

Iger stated that the park "will be genuinelyDisney-themed yet uniquelyEmirati, serving asa remarkable sanctuary for exceptional Disney amusement locatedatthe junctureofglobal cultures."

The new site will be constructed by Miral , with Disney heading both the creative design and operational supervision.

However, from which part of the brand's extensive history might Disney find inspiration? Let’s examine some of the most probable instances.

Disney's Aladdin

The 1992 film Aladdin , inspired by the timeless story in One Thousand and One Nights It is one of the most cherished animations in Disney’s extensive legacy. The 2019 live-action adaptation of this film earned over $1 billion at the box office.

Set in the fictional Arab kingdom of Agrabah, the story follows a boy who uses a magic lamp to transform himself into a prince in order to win the heart of a princess named Jasmine.

Disneyland Abu Dhabi will undoubtedly include elements of Aladdin Perhaps we'll see a roller coaster themed around Aladdin’s magical flying carpet, or alternatively, Disneyland's iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle could transform into the Sultan’s palace.

Aladdin -Themed attractions are already operational across Disney parks globally. In Florida’s Walt Disney World, you can experience "The Magic Carpets of Aladdin" within the Magic Kingdom. Similar suspended carnival-style rides include “Jasmine's Flying Carpets” located at Tokyo DisneySea and another titled “Flying Carpets Over Agrabah,” found at Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris. Additionally, Disneyland Park in Paris features an immersive walk-through attraction called "Aladdin's Enchanted Passage," which draws inspiration from the movie.

The Arabian Coast at Tokyo DisneySea draws its design inspiration from Aladdin and One Thousand and One Nights And includes attractions and eateries. Likewise, there is Adventureland Bazaar located within Adventureland at Disneyland Paris.

Visitors will also get the chance to meet and greet with characters from the movie—Aladdin, Jasmine, Genie, and the Sultan—at every park.

Marvel's Moon Knight

Although Moon Knight has often been regarded as one of Marvel’s lesser-known gems—a brooding, Batman-like anti-hero fueled by Egyptian deities—the character experienced a resurgence in 2022. This revival came with actor Oscar Isaac portraying him in the Disney+ show titled "Moon Knight."

Directed by the Egyptian filmmaker Mohammed Diab, the series concluded with a cliffhanger — bringing in actress May Calamawy like the superhero Scarlet Scarab.

It’s probable that both will show up in the park and might be part of some interactive engagement. Back in March 2022, Moon Knight had his first meet-and-greet event at the Avengers Campus within the Disney California Adventure Park.

Mickey in Arabia

In one of Mickey Mouse’s early escapades from 1932, the iconic Disney character was seen traversing the Arabian Desert alongside Minnie Mouse perched atop a camel. Mickey In Arabia laid the groundwork for Aladdin As they embarked on a perilous journey through the Sultan's palace.

Although certain elements of the animated show and portrayals of Arab culture may not stand up well over time, a revised edition tailored to contemporary tastes—possibly recreated with Arab animators—could turn into a great addition to Disneyland Abu Dhabi.

Tatooine from Star Wars

The desert planet of Tatooine is among the most easily identifiable locations in Star Wars Lore. It serves as the backdrop for iconic figures like Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jabba the Hutt, and Boba Fett – alongside the "scum and villainy" found within the Mos Eisley Cantina.

In the 1977 original movie, the scenes set on Tatooine were shot in Tunisia. In the 2015 installment, Star Wars: The Force Awakens , they were filmed in Abu Dhabi's Liwa Desert .

Disney’s Walt Disney World in Orlando includes a section known as Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, which is located on the imaginary planet of Batuu. Might Abu Dhabi similarly be converted into Tatooine, positioned on the outskirts of the galaxy?

An innovative character created by Emirati designers has been introduced.

It's difficult to conceive, particularly with Iger's remarks, that there won’t be a character created exclusively for the Disneyland Abu Dhabi theme park.

And such a character is not without precedent. In Disneyland Shanghai, a pink fox named LinaBell welcomes visitors to the park. And while LinaBell has never appeared on the big screen, she is a cult sensation in China.

It appears probable that Disney will collaborate with local talents to create a comparable character – possibly an Arabian leopard or red fox, or maybe something else entirely. houbara . Alternatively, it might not be an animal at all but rather a fresh avatar representing the Emirati people. Should this character become sufficiently popular, they might even land a role in an original Disney animated feature.

Given the numerous opportunities available, it appears certain that Disneyland Abu Dhabi will become a remarkable and distinctive attraction that visitors will enthusiastically return to time and time again.