DISNEY IN ABU DHABI: A MILESTONE IN THE UAE’S NEW GLOBAL ERA
By
The confirmation of the construction of the first Disney park in the Arab world, in Abu Dhabi, is more than an unprecedented achievement in entertainment history — it is a symbolic and strategic consecration of the unique moment the United Arab Emirates is experiencing on the international stage. The choice of the country's capital as the site for the new operation of the world’s most influential entertainment company is, above all, a clear signal of global confidence in the UAE’s stability, ambition, and long-term vision.
In the words of Rodrigo Paiva, president of LIDE United Arab Emirates:
“Disney’s arrival is a direct reflection of the leading role the country has been gaining. The UAE has established itself as a global hub where business, culture, tourism, and innovation converge. The world is looking here not just as a destination, but as a platform for the future.”
Disney’s move is not an isolated one. It joins a sequence of strategic decisions by multinational companies, sovereign wealth funds, and cultural institutions that, in recent years, have strengthened the pillars of the UAE brand: trust, infrastructure, legal security, and a vision of sustainable economic transformation.
A NEW CENTER OF GLOBAL INFLUENCE
What we see today is a real boom in global positioning. The United Arab Emirates has radically expanded its influence beyond oil, investing wisely in sectors such as tourism, education, clean energy, technology, and economic diplomacy. The country hosts high-level international events like COP28 in Dubai and is preparing to launch space missions, artificial intelligence initiatives, and expansions in the advanced healthcare sector.
The Disney announcement comes amid great acceleration. According to data from the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, the number of international visitors has increased by more than 25% over the last two years, and investments in tourism infrastructure exceed the $10 billion mark.
For Mohamed Al Rais, chairman of LIDE UAE and one of the region’s top authorities in the tourism sector, this move is natural:
“Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as the capital of cultural and touristic experience in the Arab world. Disney’s presence reinforces our vocation to welcome the world with quality, safety, and innovation. This is a new chapter for tourism in the Gulf.”
Mohamed, who leads major operations in the hospitality and travel sectors, also notes that the announcement drives development in adjacent areas such as education, transportation, entertainment, and high-end real estate — all elements connected to the Vision 2030 economic diversification plan led by the Emirati government.
A HIGH-TRUST ECOSYSTEM
It is no coincidence that the country has become the new home for dozens of regional headquarters of multinational companies and, at the same time, a destination for families, talent, and global investors. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are now home to internationally recognized financial centers, technology clusters, and cultural hubs.
This reputation has been built on three fundamental attributes: institutional stability, strategic ambition, and pragmatic international relations. The UAE engages with both the West and East through diplomatic skill, maintaining a position of balance and economic openness.
For LIDE UAE, this moment represents a clear opportunity for Brazilian companies seeking internationalization:
“We are connecting leaders and promoting access to this new center of economic and cultural power. Disney’s presence is just the beginning of a new phase for Abu Dhabi, and Brazil can be part of this story,” says Rodrigo Paiva.
A SIGNAL TO THE WORLD
Disney’s choice of Abu Dhabi over other Middle Eastern metropolises reveals a carefully strategic decision. The emirate offers not only land and capital but also a secure and predictable long-term platform — something increasingly rare in a geopolitically and economically unstable world.
As the ultimate symbol of global culture, Disney rarely missteps. By establishing itself in the UAE, it sends a clear message: the future of entertainment, tourism, and influence runs through here.
