Author: Charlie

What can we expect to see at Disneyland Abu Dhabi?

With last week’s announcement of a new Disneyland park coming to Abu Dhabi, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about what Disney’s seventh theme park might look like. From attractions to park pricing, here’s everything we could potentially see at Disneyland Abu Dhabi.

Location and Size

At first glance, it seems simple – Disneyland Abu Dhabi (DAD) will be located on Yas Island. But of course, it’s not quite that straightforward! The exact location of DAD has yet to be revealed, so there’s no clarity on how big the park will be. There has been a fair bit of speculation online as to how big the park will be, but nothing officially confirmed.

Putting on my digital detective hat, it looks like there may only be one possible location on Yas Island for DAD, if you look closely at Google Maps. Located on the north of Yas Island, there is a huge area next to the waterfront which looks suspiciously empty at this moment in time. We know DAD is on a waterfront, could this be the park location?

Could this empty stretch of Yas Island be the future home of Disneyland Abu Dhabi?

With regards to the size of the park, looking at the available space mentioned above, this looks roughly 4 or 5 times larger than the size that Warner Bros. World currently occupies. Warner Bros. World is 15.3 hectares in size, meaning the Disneyland Abu Dhabi park could be anywhere from 60 to 100 hectares. For context, the Disneyland Park in California is only 40 hectares in size, meaning DAD could potentially be double the size of this.

Pricing

I expect Disneyland Abu Dhabi’s pricing to be similar to other Yas Island theme parks and broadly aligned with global Disney parks. Below, I’ve compiled an overview of single-day adult ticket prices at Disney parks worldwide alongside the current Yas Island theme park prices (pricing and currency conversions accurate as of time of writing this blog post!).

Disney Theme Parks – 1-Day Adult Ticket Pricing

Theme Park	Local Price Range	USD Range	GBP Range	EUR Range	Notes
Walt Disney World (Florida)	$139–$199	$139–$199	£110–£157	€128–€183	Prices vary by park and date; Magic Kingdom is typically most expensive.
Disneyland Resort (California)	$104–$179	$104–$179	£82–£141	€96–€165	Pricing varies by day and park.
Disneyland Paris	€63–€123	$68–$134	£54–£106	€63–€123	Prices vary by season and park access (1 or 2 parks).
Tokyo Disneyland/DisneySea	¥7,900–¥10,900	$58–$80	£46–£63	€53–€74	Prices vary by date; Tokyo DisneySea is often considered a better value.
Shanghai Disneyland	¥475–¥799	$66–$110	£52–£87	€61–€101	Four-tier pricing: Regular to Peak Plus.
Hong Kong Disneyland	HK$639	$82	£65	€75	Standard adult 1-day ticket price.

Walt Disney World is the most expensive globally, with prices ranging from $139–$199.

Theme Parks on Yas Island – 1-Day Adult Ticket Pricing

Theme Park	Local Price Range	USD Range	GBP Range	EUR Range	Notes
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi (Yas Island)	AED 375	$102	£81	€94	Fixed price; includes 8 immersive realms and 15+ rides.
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi (Yas Island)	AED 345	$94	£74	€86	Home to the world’s fastest roller coaster.
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi (Yas Island)	AED 295	$80	£63	€74	Fully indoor park with six themed lands.

Yas Island parks are generally more affordable, with ticket prices averaging around $86.

Looking at these figures, the average single-day ticket for Yas Island parks is around $86 (approximately £68 or €79). Interestingly, international Disney parks outside the USA tend to be slightly cheaper, averaging about $81 (£64/€75). Adjusting for inflation and the premium expected from a Disney-branded park, I speculate Disneyland Abu Dhabi tickets might be priced around $106 (£80/€95). Of course, this is just an estimate.

It’s also worth noting that all Yas Island parks offer fixed ticket prices regardless of the day of visit. Hopefully, Disneyland Abu Dhabi will follow this model, sparing visitors from the steep price surges often seen during peak seasons at other Disney parks!

Emirati Inspiration

Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be ‘authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati,’ according to the official announcement. This means the park is likely to feature Emirati-inspired architecture – think modern, geometric designs that reflect Abu Dhabi’s contemporary skyline – while still capturing the magic and storytelling Disney is known for.

I’m excited to see dining options that blend authentic Emirati flavours with classic Disney fare. Imagine something like the Agrabah Café at Disneyland Paris, but serving genuine Emirati dishes. That fusion could be a real highlight for visitors.

Of course, we can’t discuss the Emirati inspiration of the park without mentioning the local customs of the United Arab Emirates. While Disney parks generally have a relaxed dress code, in Abu Dhabi, there will likely be an emphasis on encouraging modest attire. Likewise, it’s likely that during the holy month of Ramadan, the park’s operating hours, dining options, and entertainment might be adjusted to respect those observing the fast.

There has already been a huge amount of criticism around Disney’s stated commitment to LGBTQ+ rights in other regions and its decision to build a major theme park in a country where same-sex sexual activity is criminalised. I think it’s safe to assume that LGBTQ+ visitors should not expect any specific recognition or celebration of LGBTQ+ identities within the park. I plan to explore this complex topic further in an upcoming blog post.

Attractions

The topic everyone has been waiting for: attractions! Now there is a lot to unpack here, so I am going to break it down into three subsections: the audience, the announcement video and the concept art.

The Audience

According to the press release, the UAE is home to the largest global airline hub, with 120 million passengers traveling through Abu Dhabi and Dubai each year. This makes the UAE a gateway for visitors from the Middle East, Africa, India, Asia, and Europe. It’s mentioned several times that this diverse audience will likely influence the park’s design and attractions.

Given the film’s Middle Eastern setting, I’d be surprised if Aladdin doesn’t feature prominently at Disneyland Abu Dhabi. The Magic Carpets of Aladdin ride already appears at three Disney parks worldwide, including Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, Tokyo DisneySea, and Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris. So, a variation of this attraction is almost a given.

Backing this up, the 2019 live-action Aladdin remake is the highest-grossing film of all time in the Middle East, breaking records for the best Ramadan opening in the UAE and Jordan. As a fan myself, I hope to see immersive rides inspired by iconic scenes—imagine a journey through the Cave of Wonders! And of course, plenty of Aladdin-themed merchandise too (fingers crossed!).

Looking at some of the other box office data for the region, there are a number of films which I can definitely imagine seeing having an influence at Disneyland Abu Dhabi. These include, Frozen, Moana, Toy Story, Finding Nemo, The Jungle Book and somewhat surprisingly, Elemental (one of my favourite Pixar films!). Given the waterfront location, nautical-themed movies could be a natural fit.

Another franchise likely to feature heavily is The Lion King. Like Aladdin, its 2019 live-action remake saw massive success across the Middle East and Africa. Given the UAE’s proximity to Africa and the film’s setting, I expect rides, merchandise, and shows – perhaps even The Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands – at Disneyland Abu Dhabi.

I can’t move on from this section without mentioning the Marvel franchise, given its HUGE popularity in the Middle East and Africa. Avengers: Endgame holds the record for the UAE’s highest box office, and Black Panther is the highest-grossing film across the combined region. Black Panther also marked a milestone as the first film publicly screened in Saudi Arabia after a 35-year cinema ban. I already have ideas brewing about what Disney Imagineers might create for a Marvel-themed area at Disneyland Abu Dhabi – but I’ll save that for later!

Announcement Video

There’s a lot to unpack in the announcement video, but a few key moments stood out to me as strong clues about what Disneyland Abu Dhabi might feature.

One segment, lasting about five or six seconds, focuses on Moana and the Journey of Water attraction, while highlighting that the park will be “anchored by a beautiful waterfront that will allow us to tell our stories in brand new ways.” Water will clearly play a pivotal role at DAD, and Moana’s inclusion suggests it will have a significant presence. I strongly suspect that instead of traditional fireworks behind the park’s central icon, we’ll see spectacular water fountain projections. These are very popular in the Middle East – the Burj Khalifa hosts one of the world’s largest fountain shows, for example.

Later in the video, Bob Iger says Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be “authentically Disney,” just as Anna and Elsa appear on screen. This feels like a not-so-subtle hint that Frozen will feature prominently at the park. It seems increasingly likely that the main castle will be Frozen-inspired, and the timing of that statement alongside the visual pretty much confirms it.

Beyond Moana and Frozen, the video also includes clips from The Lion King, Tron, Avatar, Zootopia, Cars, Marvel, and Star Wars. While some of these might be purely aesthetic for the trailer, I can easily imagine all these franchises having some presence at Disneyland Abu Dhabi. Disney tends to be very intentional with these kinds of choices!

Concept Art

The concept art for DAD may give us the largest number of clues as to what we may be able expect. First and foremost, we have to talk about the castle. Castles are undeniably iconic to the Disney brand and Disney theme parks and it looks as if DAD is going to be no different with a striking castle as the main centre of focus for the theme park. The one big difference to the standard Disney castle is the striking architectural difference.

Featuring a striking combination of white and blue colours with a spiral curvature, the castle unmistakably resembles Elsa’s ice palace from Frozen. Nestled on the waterfront, this icy design will undoubtedly be the focal point of Disneyland Abu Dhabi. The contrast between a shimmering ice castle and the surrounding desert landscape promises a visually stunning and unique centrepiece for the park. While Moana’s water themes also fit naturally with the waterfront location, the castle’s architecture clearly signals a strong Frozen influence.

Disney Abu Dhabi Concept Artwork Castle — Image Credit: Disney

One area that really grabs my attention on the concept art is at the very back right of the artwork. There is what appears to be two towers next to each other which I think hold a similar resemblance to that of the city of Wakanda in Black Panther. Given Black Panther’s popularity in the region, I’m confident in saying I think we can expect a few homages to the Marvel film and I wouldn’t at all be surprised to see the fictional African country brought to life. Whilst the concept art doesn’t appear to show the iconic gigantic Black Panther stone statue that appears in the films, don’t be at all surprised if the Disney imagineers are keeping a few tricks up their sleeves!

Given Abu Dhabi’s extreme summer heat, the popularity of fully indoor parks like Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi makes it likely that DAD will also incorporate significant indoor areas. Whilst I don’t think Disney necessarily want the full park to be indoors, I think it’s fair to say we can expect some indoor areas and this is what I think the two building type areas on the left of the concept art will be. While the artwork offers few concrete clues to their themes, I have a hunch that one of these could be a climate-controlled cityscape inspired by Zootopia.

Disney Abu Dhabi Concept Artwork Park — Image Credit: Disney

The concept art gives us a few more clues as to what we might expect to find at Disneyland Abu Dhabi including:

A snowcapped mountain on the left of the artwork – could this be an Expedition Everest style ride?
To the right of the castle and nestled into the waterfront, there is what looks to be a large tree, half submerged into the water. Could this be one of the many symbolic trees we see in the Avatar franchise?
To the very left of the castle we see what looks to be an enclosed lagoon which, if you zoom in closely, appears to have a boat on it. Could this be Moana’s boat? Or perhaps a Pirates of the Caribbean inspired boat ride?

Of course, this concept art is an early look, so these predictions should be taken with a pinch of salt. But I definitely think Disney is already teasing some exciting ideas!

Nothing is officially confirmed yet, but I’m confident that Disneyland Abu Dhabi will draw heavily from its local culture and audience, shaping its attractions and theming throughout the park.

What are your predictions for Disneyland Abu Dhabi? Let me know in the comments!

20/05/2025

Lounge Lightspeed announced at Disneyland Paris!

Disneyland Paris has announced a brand-new seasonal outdoor terrace, Lounge Lightspeed, coming to Discoveryland from 31 May to 17 September 2025. Guests will be able to enjoy refreshing drinks or Star Wars-themed snacks before their journey “to a galaxy far, far away.”

According to the news article released on the Disneyland Paris news website, the lounge will have a capacity for 50 guests and will offer a unique view of the X-Wing, as well as the wider Discoveryland. The article goes on to say that the lounge will be directly linked to the attraction Star Tours: The Adventures Continues, and guests will be able to meet BDX droids, as well as other Star Wars characters.

It’s so refreshing to finally see some innovation and new ideas coming to Disneyland Paris! Discoveryland has for too long been at severe risk of becoming one of the blander areas of the Disneyland Park, so I’m very happy to hear of this new lounge, especially with it being Star Wars themed!

Image Credit: Disneyland Paris News

Looking at the concept art and images by DLP, it appears as if the lounge is going to be primarily based on the terrace area which sits above the Starport, underneath the large X-Wing model and next to the Star Tours: The Adventures Continues ride. Most recently, the Starport was being used as a Darth Vader character encounter, but looking at the digital DLP map, it appears as if this is no longer there (note, the Disney Photopass Service is still showing on the map there).

I do wonder if the Starport’s base will serve as the bar before guests take their drinks to the terrace. Of course, this is just speculation, but I’m keen to see how the lounge integrates with the Star Tours: The Adventures Continues experience and how Disney Imagineers utilise the existing space around the ride.

There’s no news yet on what to expect with the drinks or snack menus, but hopefully, this can match some of the unbelievable themed Star Wars offerings available at Galaxy’s Edge. The article does state that the lounge will be hosted by Coca-Cola – Wompa Cola anyone?

The only downside? Lounge Lightspeed is currently only planned as a seasonal offering. Here’s hoping it proves popular enough to become a permanent addition!

15/05/2025
Snow White (2025) Review

Live-action remakes are seemingly all the rage with Disney at the moment. Despite a host of mixed reviews over the last few years, Disney continues to give their films the live-action treatment.

At this point, it’s important to note that I am not at all opposed to live-action remakes. I think they can actually offer a really entertaining, fresh look at some of the classic Disney movies of old. One of my recent favourite live-action movies over the past few years is Cruella, and while it is more of a live-action prequel than a remake, it offers something new and entertaining, rather than simply a retelling of a story which no one really needs.

Unfortunately, the latter is precisely the case with 2025’s Snow White. In all honesty, there’s nothing particularly wrong with this live-action remake; it just doesn’t deliver anything new. It’s a straightforward retelling of the story, and sadly, that’s it. 2017’s Beauty and the Beast was also a direct retelling; however, it brought a level of charm and excitement to the story we all know and love, and this is where Snow White really fails to deliver.

At no point throughout the movie did I feel gripped or on the edge of my seat. There’s a hint of a darker undertone, particularly when focused on the Evil Queen’s tyrannical jealousy of Snow White; however, it always falls short and fails to strike a balance between a children’s movie and a more mature adventure. Despite a promising pace in the opening half hour, the film soon tails off. There were some scenes throughout the middle section that I wished would end quickly.

On a positive note, Rachel Zegler delivers a standout performance as Snow White. She brings fantastic depth to a character going through a very much coming-of-age journey, and I felt far more engaged whenever she was on screen. She is let down at times by some poor writing and dialogue, but I think it’s fair to say she has rightfully cemented her place as a Disney Princess.

The same cannot be said for Gal Gadot, however. Now, I’m not one to criticise actors or actresses (they do a hell of a job for our entertainment!), but her portrayal of the Evil Queen felt very wooden to me. Again, she is not helped by some terrible dialogue choices, but her entire delivery and on-screen persona fell very flat. It is worth noting that she more than looks the part – kudos to the costume department for that – it’s just a shame the performance doesn’t match.

One of the big controversies that surrounded Snow White prior to its release was the use of CGI to animate the infamous Seven Dwarfs, in their words, to “avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film.” I must admit, at first glance, I raised an eyebrow at the appearance of the CGI dwarfs; however, it didn’t take long for them to blend into the movie and for the characters to bring humour and charm to proceedings. Snow White does a great job of bringing out the varying personalities and characteristics of the dwarfs, and there are a few nods to the classic animations from the 1937 movie which fans of the original can certainly appreciate.

True to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, 2025’s Snow White is also a musical, and for the most part, it’s fairly enjoyable. In particular, there are a few ‘sing at the top of your lungs’ songs which I think will prove to be popular, such as “Waiting on a Wish” and “Good Things Grow.” “Waiting on a Wish” is perfectly suited to Rachel Zegler’s vocal range and will no doubt be considered a classic Disney song for many years to come.

The Verdict

Despite a stellar performance from Rachel Zegler as the titular character, Snow White is sadly not the fairest live-action remake of them all – it’s a technically polished film that ultimately struggles to find its own voice.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

3/5

13/05/2025
Lego reveal new Disney summer sets!

The Lego Group and Disney continue to expand their longstanding relationship with a brand new wave of Lego Disney sets which are set to release this summer. We are in for a treat too as there are some fantastic sets releasing, with sets covering Toy Story, Princesses and even 101 Dalmatians! Check out the details of each set below.

Toy Story Celebration Train & RC Car

Image Credit: Lego Group

Pieces: 206 pieces

Price: $39.99 / £34.99 / €39.99

I am a huge fan of this set! I think it’s a great tribute set for Toy Story’s 30th anniversary, encapsulating some of the charm of the first two Toy Story movies. The train itself really reminds me of the sort of train you’d see at a Disney park parade. Minifigure wise, it’s also really nice to get a Bo Peep minifigure in her dress from the early Toy Story films; previously, we’ve only had her refreshed Toy Story 4 look in the previous wave of sets. Plus, there’s a fantastic-looking Billy, Goat and Gruff print to accompany Bo Peep, which I think is a really nice touch.

Price-wise, $39.99/£34.99/€39.99 isn’t too bad in the scheme of things. Unfortunately, Disney sets often come at a premium compared to Lego’s own, but I think for the 4 minifigures, 3 army men, Billy, Goat and Gruff print, and the overall build, the price is justified.

It’s been a few years now since we’ve had a Toy Story set release, so it’s great to see that the Lego Toy Story license is continuing – does this also mean we will get sets when Toy Story 5 releases next year?!

Princess Castle & Royal Pets

Image Credit: Lego Group

Pieces: 787

Price: $129.99 / £109.99 / €119.99

This is another absolute standout set for me! Usually I don’t pick up any of the Princess sets (not a huge fan of the mini dolls, much more of a minifigure man!), however, I don’t think I can resist picking this set up!

Firstly, I think the castle itself is really impressive, with 5 different sections to the castle all being designed specifically for the 5 different princesses included in the set. From left to right, we have a water-themed tropical section for Moana, an Arabian-style castle for Jasmine, a standout tower at the centre of the set for Rapunzel, elements of traditional Chinese architecture for Mulan, and then finally another water section, this time focused on the ocean for Ariel. I feel that having these five different sections will help keep the build fun and also offer great play opportunity for younger builders.

However, the standout from this set for me is undoubtedly the pet mini-doll figures that accompany their Princess counterparts. We’ve seen some of the pet figures in various sets before; however, I believe this is the first time we have seen a Lego Mushu figure! Being a huge Mulan fan, this is definitely a day-one purchase! Whilst the retail price may be a little high to justify the Mushu figure alone, I think the set as a whole offers fair value for money and is perfect for Lego fans young and old.

Lucky & Penny 101 Dalmatians Puppies

Image Credit: Lego Group

Pieces: 268

Price: $24.99 / £19.99 / €24.99

This is the first of two 101 Dalmatians sets releasing as part of this summer 2025 wave, and it’s aimed at younger builders. However, despite the 6+ rating, I think this set is going to have huge appeal for Lego Disney fans of any age! Featuring brick-built figures of Lucky and Penny, plus a small TV with a nice little tribute to Thunderbolt from the original 101 Dalmatians movie, I think the build looks really smart overall. I do question the use of tan pieces on the underside of the two Dalmatians, as Dalmatians are typically white all over; however, this is only a minor concern I have. At a retail price of $24.99/£19.99/€24.99, I think this set is fantastic value – the only issue is I would want to buy 50 more sets to have 101 Dalmatians!

Minnie’s Pet Hotel

Image Credit: Lego Group

Pieces: 161

Price: $39.99 / £34.99 / €39.99

While I appreciate I’m not necessarily the target audience for this Minnie Mouse Pet Hotel Lego Set, the set overall just seems fairly lacklustre, particularly given the price. While there is some playability with the slide and there are some nice characters, Figaro and Creampuff in particular, I think the set is grossly overpriced. When you compare the price of this set to the Toy Story Celebration set, it’s a no-brainer which one to pick up, if you were given the choice!

Mini Arendelle Castle & Elsa’s Ice Palace

Image Credit: Lego Group

Pieces: 306

Price: $49.99 / £44.99 / €49.99

Again, this is another set that doesn’t quite tick the boxes for me. Firstly, the build seems fairly lacking in my opinion – rather than focusing on both the Arendelle Castle and Ice Castle, focusing on one, slightly larger build would have been a better route to go down. I get the impression that Lego are almost going for a Polly Pocket style build with this set; however, I don’t think this translates very well to Lego.

This is reinforced with the strange-looking mini-doll figures in the set too. Now, I mentioned I am not a huge fan of the mini dolls anyway; however, in this set the large heads and small bodies just frankly look rather odd. I am impressed with the wide selection of characters in this set, however, particularly Honeymaren, who is a bit of a random yet welcome inclusion. Price-wise, I’d argue that this set is a little overpriced and would definitely wait for a sale if you were looking to pick this up.

Angel

Image Credit: Lego Group

Pieces: 784

Price: $64.99 / £59.99 / €64.99

With the upcoming live-action Lilo & Stitch film releasing later this month, it makes perfect sense that Lego are releasing more Lilo & Stitch sets, and finally, Angel gets the brick treatment! I think the build looks fantastic and really encapsulates the charm and sassiness that Angel exhibits in Lilo & Stitch: The Series. While I feel like the playability of this set will be fairly limited, I think Angel will make a fantastic display piece, particularly when accompanied by the existing Stitch set. At $64.99/£59.99/€64.99, I think this set is priced pretty reasonably.

101 Dalmatians Puppy

Image Credit: Lego Group

Pieces: 1722

Price: $149.99 / £129.99 / €139.99

The second of the 101 Dalmatians sets releasing this summer is this 101 Dalmatians Puppy Set, coming in at a whopping 1722 pieces. 1 Given the piece count, it’s no surprise that this set is marketed as 18+ (People under 17 can’t build big sets too?!). Of course, that comes with a hefty price tag. At $149.99/£129.99/€139.99, the set actually represents a fair price per piece, but it is still going to be an expensive purchase for any collector.

What helps to somewhat justify the price is the seemingly interchangeable nature of the set. It looks like there are several options to modify the puppy as you please: a red collar, blue collar, tongue in, tongue out, or perhaps one black eye to recreate everyone’s favourite puppy, Patch? Whilst definitely an expensive set, this is definitely one that I will be picking up.

LEGO Ideas ǀ Disney Pixar Luxo Jr.

Image Credit: Lego Group

Pieces: 613

Price: $69.99 / £59.99 / €69.99

Last but certainly not least is the brilliant Luxo Jr. set! I’m over the moon that the iconic Luxo Jr. lamp and Pixar ball have been made into a Lego set, and I’m equally happy with the very reasonable pricing. For a Pixar fan boy like myself, this is the ultimate display piece. What’s more, the fact that you can display it with Luxo Jr. crushing the Pixar ball is just the cherry on top! It is worth noting, however, that I do feel like the appeal of this set is going to be fairly limited; ultimately, it is just a lamp and ball, and it doesn’t have the universal appeal that a Mickey Mouse or Lion King set would have.

Overall, I’m very impressed with this wave of Lego Disney sets. It’s great to see some iconic movies like 101 Dalmatians getting some love, as well as Lego catering to both Disney and Pixar fans with varying display pieces. It’s looking like this summer is going to be an expensive one for me!

All these sets release on June 1st at Lego and other select retailers. Which sets are you most excited to pick up? Let me know in the comments below!

12/05/2025
What’s new to Disney+ in May 2025?

Following a fantastic start to the year, May 2025 is set to bring another exciting wave of content to Disney+! Highlights include the debut of Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld, the milestone 100th episode of Big City Greens, and the epic conclusion to Doctor Who Series 2. Here’s a look at everything coming to Disney+ this May.

Thursday, May 1

Rise Up, Sing Out (Shorts) (S2, 7 Episodes)

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Friday, May 2

Genghis Khan: The Secret History of the Mongols (S1, 6 Episodes)

Saturday, May 3

Doctor Who (S2, Episode 4)

Sunday, May 4

Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld (Premiere – All Episodes Streaming)

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge | Disneyland® Resort (Premiere)

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance | Disneyland® Resort (Premiere)

Tuesday, May 6

Andor (S2, 3 New Episodes)

Wednesday, May 7

Broken Karaoke (S3, 2 Episodes)

Firebuds (S2, 2 Episodes)

Hamster & Gretel (S2, 12 Episodes)

Big City Greens (S4, 1 Episode – 100th Episode)

Friday, May 9

History’s Greatest of All Time with Peyton Manning (S1, 8 Episodes)

The Toys That Built America (S3, 12 Episodes)

The UnXplained (S7, 6 Episodes)

WWE Rivals (S2, 10 Episodes)

WWE Rivals (S4, 6 Episodes)

Saturday, May 10

Doctor Who (S2, Episode 5)

Tuesday, May 13

Andor (Season 2 Finale)

Saturday, May 17

Doctor Who (S2, Episode 6)

Monday, May 19

Tucci in Italy (Premiere – All Episodes Streaming)

Tuesday, May 20

Minnie’s Bow-Toons: Pet Hotel (Season 1 Premiere, 5 Episodes)

Saturday, May 24

Doctor Who (S2, Episode 7)

Wednesday, May 28

Me & Winnie the Pooh (S2, 6 Episodes)

Playdate with Winnie the Pooh (S2, 5 Episodes)

Saturday, May 31

How Not to Draw (S3, 4 Episodes)

Doctor Who (Season 2 Finale)

While the movie selection might be a little lighter this month, I’m personally most excited to see how Season 2 of Andor plays out! But let me know in the comments, what are you most looking forward to streaming this May?

11/05/2025
Disney Announces Plans for Seventh Theme Park in Abu Dhabi

The Walt Disney Company has this week officially announced its intention to develop a seventh theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This expansion will see Disney partner with Miral, a prominent Abu Dhabi-based creator of immersive experiences.

The upcoming resort will be located on Yas Island, an established global destination for leisure and entertainment. This placement aims to attract a broad international audience, connecting travellers from the Middle East, Africa, India, Asia, Europe, and beyond. The project intends to integrate Disney’s renowned storytelling, characters, and attractions with the distinct culture and environment of Abu Dhabi, including its shorelines and architecture.

Image Credit: Disney

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, commented on the collaboration, stating, “The collaboration between Abu Dhabi and Disney demonstrates the remarkable results of combining visionary leadership and creative excellence. What we are creating with Disney in Abu Dhabi is a whole new world of imagination—an experience that will inspire generations across the region and the world.”

Robert A. Iger, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, highlighted the significance of this expansion: “As our seventh theme park destination, it will rise from this land in spectacular fashion, blending contemporary architecture with cutting-edge technology to offer guests deeply immersive entertainment experiences in unique and modern ways. Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati—an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment at this crossroads of the world.”

Miral will oversee the development and construction of the resort, while Disney’s Imagineers will be responsible for the creative design and operational guidance to ensure a high-quality guest experience. Miral has a track record of developing family entertainment destinations on Yas Island, including popular attractions like Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi, and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and will manage the resort’s operations.

Image Credit: Disney

Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, emphasized the innovative aspects of the project: “Our resort in Abu Dhabi will be the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio. The location of our park is incredibly unique—anchored by a beautiful waterfront—which will allow us to tell our stories in completely new ways. This project will reach guests in a whole new part of the world, welcoming more families to experience Disney than ever before.”

Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral, noted the strategic importance for Yas Island: “Bringing a Disney theme park resort to Yas Island marks a historic milestone in our journey to further advance the island’s position as a global destination for exceptional entertainment and leisure.”

Upon completion, the resort will feature signature Disney entertainment, themed accommodations, unique dining and retail options, all designed to celebrate both Disney’s legacy and Abu Dhabi’s cultural identity.

While specific details regarding the park’s layout, attractions, and opening timeline are yet to be announced, this development marks a significant expansion for The Walt Disney Company’s theme park portfolio. It signals a strategic move to tap into a new and growing global tourism market.

Personally I’m super excited about the prospect of a brand new Disney park opening up! Living in the UK, this will be the second closest Disney park for us Brits (after Paris) and I’m really eager to see how Disney and Miral collaborate to bring Disney Abu Dhabi to life. Disney’s partnership with Miral follows a well-established trend of collaborating with local experts in destination development and management, as seen with the Oriental Land Company for the Tokyo Disney Resort and with Miral’s track record of current entertainment destinations, I have full confidence that the park will be first class.

What are your initial thoughts on this new Disney venture? What kind of unique integrations of Disney and Emirati culture are you hoping to see? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

09/05/2025