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Thoughts on this major announcement? https://www.npr.org/2025/05/07/nx-s1-5389601/disney-park-abu-dhabi
I did get a chuckle researching Abu Dhabi. This answer was the first thing on a Google Search: In Abu Dhabi, “People of Determination” (those with disabilities) are recognized and supported through various initiatives and services.
I have seen “People of Determination” on “do not say” lists about disability because people find it patronizing, but I never saw it actually said or written anywhere… until now!
npr.org
Disney's newest theme park will be in Abu Dhabi
The company's theme parks and cruises make up a fast-growing section of its profits. The new park will be located on Yas Island with a number of existing attractions.
tabifolk6 Comments-
Hoping that PWD have some representation within the planning stages with the imagineers to make absolutely every single ride accessible.There’s no excuse for inaccessibility with today’s technology and all the current accessible rides throughout other parks prove this.
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@vickster absolutely! I hope they have full-time staff focused on making this accessible from the start! In general I feel like the infrastructure of the parks tends to be better than most major cities. However, I agree that they should do more to make each experience accessible. I tried to email them to add hoyer type lifts for the boat rides (like Frozen Ever After), but they don’t accept suggestions 😒 (got an email from a Disney lawyer saying something like “we didn’t read this based on our policy”
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@daniellevates I’ve read that it will be owned by Miral, but licensed by Disney. It will be the similar ownership structure as Tokyo Disney. (Disney doesn’t own that, either.) So, we can see how accessible Miral’s other theme parks (Ferrari, Warner Bros., etc) are. Hopefully, those are very accessible.
As for getting Disney to hear you, you have to know the right people. Being a gay man here in Los Angeles, I’ve spoken to a few Disneyland ‘power gays’ about accessibility. Mostly, they just give ‘lip service’ and corporate answers. Disney will do what Disney wants, unless there’s a lawsuit.
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@carmitch that is a great point to look at other Miral ventures! I agree that a small circle controls all of Disney and an everyday person has no influence on their thinking and choices
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Seems they need to change their “policy “ as well.
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@vickster absolutely! should be interesting because as @carmitch mentioned, it is licensed but not owned by Disney. This is a similiar model to Paris which actually has the best disability policy in my opinion! Not only is it a straightforward “doctor’s note” approval, but they give a discount to the person with a disability and guest. I want to go so bad in part to support that policy!
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