Category: Theme Parks

  • 5 Best Plant-Based Meals at Disneyland Paris (2025 Guide)

    5 Best Plant-Based Meals at Disneyland Paris (2025 Guide)

    It’s no secret that Disneyland Paris – and well, Paris in general – has lagged behind other Disney parks in its plant-based offerings. But in 2025, that’s finally changing, with at least one plant-based option now available at nearly every eatery across the resort.

    As a vegetarian, I’ve had slightly more choice compared to my vegan friends, however on my trip to Disneyland Paris earlier this year, I set out to try as many of the plant-based meals (fully vegan where possible!) as I could. Here are my top 5 plant-based meals available at Disneyland Paris in 2025.

    5. The Steakhouse – Plant-Based Meatball Stew

    Located in the Disney Village, The Steakhouse is one of the more premium table service offerings available at DLP. Whilst a steakhouse may not necessarily be the first place you’d think to find a decent plant-based offering, to my surprise, the plant-based meatball stew was unbelievably tasty!

    Interestingly, despite the name, the dish doesn’t include traditional meatballs but instead features plant-based mince, combined with carrots, mushrooms and broad beans all of which combine to create a delightfully comforting dish. The stew is super hearty and has a very meaty taste to it; at one point we almost second guessed what we were eating as it genuinely tasted very meaty. The menu doesn’t state whether the stew comes with any sides or not, but as you can see from my photo, it is in fact served with fries.

    At €28, it’s far from a budget meal, especially when paired with a glass of wine or two, but we had this in one of the evenings to warm us up before heading off to watch the fireworks and thoroughly enjoyed it.

    Hearty and delicious ‘Meatball’ Stew at The Steakhouse!

    4. Casey’s Corner – Plant-Based Hot Dog

    I’ve often overlooked Casey’s Corner when visiting Disneyland Paris for no other reason than I always thought its menu was a little on the basic side. That decision to skip it ended this time around when I discovered that there is a plant-based hot dog on the menu! Loaded with a veggie chilli, made with beans and corn, and a delicious vegan sausage, this is a perfect example of where less is more when it comes to quick-service dining.

    At €11, I thought this was probably fairly priced, although I’d have appreciated some crisps or fries included within that (fries are an additional €4). That said, the hot dog itself was more than filling and served as an ideal quick pitstop for lunch. One thing we did also notice was that the foil the hot dogs came in was colour-coded depending on the contents; in this case green for plant-based. A minor observation, but one duly noted!

    Vegan hotdog in a green foil wrapper.
    Check out the colour coded foil! And no, not my nails for those wondering!

    3. Casa de Coco Restaurante de Familia – Vegan Burrito

    The vegan burrito at Casa de Coco has been a staple of Disneyland Paris’ plant-based offerings for quite a few years now and this has always been one of our go to restaurants for a nice and filling lunch. Packed with vegan chilli, rice, plant-based mozzarella, guacamole, lettuce, tomato, onion and cilantro, this burrito is an absolute flavour bomb. I’m not the biggest fan of plant-based cheese in all honesty, but in the burrito it is very subtle and you would have a very hard time telling the difference between this and regular cheese.

    Like Casey’s Corner’s plant-based hot dog, this too is priced at €11 and unfortunately doesn’t come with any fries – again, these are available but an additional €4. It’s ok value for money, and not like the plant-based options are more expensive than the meat counterparts, but it’s still expensive for what it is. That said, the staff at Casa de Coco are some of the most accommodating and friendly we’ve come across at Disneyland Paris. We ordered two vegan burritos, one with no salad and one as is and this was not an issue for them at all. Definite bonus points for helping out the fussy eaters amongst us!

    Unfortunately, I was too hungry and ate my burrito before I could snap a pic!

    2. Manhattan Restaurant – Lasagnette

    The most expensive plant-based option in my top five is the Lasagnette at the Manhattan Restaurant, in the Hotel New York, coming in at a toe-curling €32. However, this is not second place for no good reason! The Manhattan Restaurant at Hotel New York may just be the most impressive eating establishment in the whole of Disneyland Paris. It is the very definition of fine dining; from the ambience of the restaurant, the first class service through to the quality of the food; and this does naturally mean the fare on offer is pricier than some of the alternate restaurants.

    Manhattan is an Italian restaurant, so it’s no surprise to see plenty of pastas and meats on the menu. The plant-based offering for the main meal is a Lasagnette, made with chestnut flour, forest mushrooms and tomato sauce. The Lasagnette really is exquisite, tasting authentically Italian and blending its rich tomato sauce with its fluffy pasta. Beyond its incredible taste, it’s a visually appealing dish, thoughtfully plated for a gourmet feel. Manhattan’s Lasagnette really is one of the tastier and more luxurious offerings available at Disneyland Paris.

    Top tip: Unfortunately the Lasagnette doesn’t come with any sides (roast potatoes are available as a side on the menu at an additional cost, however these are cooked in butter, so not vegan!), but towards the beginning of the meal, your waiter will come round and give you a bread roll. I’d definitely recommend saving this with your Lasagnette if you can, it will help to mop up some of that delicious tomato sauce!

    Another meal I forgot to photograph!

    1. Colonel Hathi’s Outpost – Lentil Dalh

    Without a doubt, my absolute favourite plant-based meal from my trip to Disneyland Paris has to be the delicious Lentil Dalh available at Colonel Hathi’s Outpost. Served with fluffy basmati rice and a puffy Naan bread, the Lentil Dalh delivers a fantastic combination of hearty, tasty richness, without feeling too stodgy. The dalh itself combines various aromatic flavours and has a nice spice to it, without feeling like you need to have a drink every 10 seconds. So often, theme park food can be greasy and too much of the same, so it’s so refreshing to get a quick service dining option that actually feels healthy and nutritious.

    Plant-based options are plentiful at Colonel Hathi’s Outpost as not only is there a Lentil Dalh on offer, but guests are also treated to plant-based Onion Bhaji Fritters as well as Vegetable Pakora Fritters. These are a little pricey at €6.50 (for 6 fritters) each, but I must say, they do make a perfect accompaniment to the Lentil Dalh. The dalh is also on the pricier side of some of the quick-service dining options, priced at €15, but I found it good value for money.

    It’s so nice to see vegans and those who opt for plant-based options actually feel like they are being catered for and are not just an afterthought. For me, you can’t beat Colonel Hathi’s Lentil Dalh!

    My favourite plant-based option at Disneyland Paris! Tasty Lentil Dalh!

    Other plant-based meals that definitely deserve a mention too are the vegan Shawarma available at the Super Diner in the Studios park, as well as the plant-based nuggets and chips option available at the British-themed Toad Hall. Unfortunately, it looks as though Toad Hall have recently decided to drop their plant-based fish and chips from their menu which is a huge shame as this would definitely have made my top five. Still, the plant-based nuggets and chips are worth trying and are fairly priced at €12.

    Frankly, it’s great that there are now so many plant-based options available at Disneyland Paris. If I’d tried to have put together this list a few years ago, I’m sure it would primarily have been made up of burgers and fries – and that’s if we were lucky! Fingers crossed, in a few years’ time, I can make this list again and there be even more plant-based options to choose from.

    🌱 Top 5 Plant-Based Meals at Disneyland Paris (2025) – Quick Guide

    DishRestaurantPark/AreaPriceQuick Notes
    Lentil DhalColonel Hathi’s OutpostDisneyland Park (Adventureland)€15Comes with naan + rice; warming, nutritious, and satisfying. Also pairs well with fritters.
    LasagnetteManhattan RestaurantDisney Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel€32A refined pasta dish with chestnut flour and forest mushrooms. Great bread roll for sauce-mopping!
    Vegan BurritoCasa de Coco – Restaurante de FamiliaDisneyland Park (Frontierland)€11Filling, flavour-packed burrito with rice, chilli, and guacamole. Great for picky eaters too!
    Plant-Based Hot DogCasey’s CornerDisneyland Park (Main Street, U.S.A.)€11Quick-service gem with veggie chilli and vegan sausage. Would benefit from included sides.
    Plant-Based “Meatball” StewThe SteakhouseDisney Village€28Hearty and surprisingly “meaty” stew with mince, mushrooms, and fries. Ideal pre-fireworks dinner.

    What’s your favourite plant-based meal at Disneyland Paris? Is there anything you would like to see added to the menu in the future? Let me know in the comments.

  • This Week in Disney Deals: Free Dining, Gift Cards & Downloadables (May 21)

    This Week in Disney Deals: Free Dining, Gift Cards & Downloadables (May 21)

    Every week, I round up some of the best Disney related deals to be found online. From free downloadables to bonus theme park cash for booking your next trip to Disneyland, here are some of this week’s best deals.

    FREE Dining & Drinks for your 2026 Walt Disney World Trip

    Planning a 2026 holiday to Walt Disney World in Florida? You could snag FREE Disney Dining & Drinks when you book a Hotel & Ticket package for selected dates between January and December 2026.

    This amazing deal also includes 14 days of Disney Magic Tickets for the price of just 7 days, giving you more time to explore all the parks! Plus, if you book by July 1st, 2025, you can save up to £300 on your total holiday cost.

    Free dining and drinks on 2026 Walt Disney World holidays!

    Depending on your Disney Resort hotel, your free dining could range from quick-service meals to a full Disney Dining Plan, saving you hundreds of pounds (up to £1,119 per adult for a two-week stay!). Children aged 3-9 also get a free dining plan if an adult buys one.

    Booking direct with Disney also offers perks like low deposits (from £50pp) and flexible payments, as well as those valuable magic hours!

    Learn more about the promotion and book your trip to Walt Disney World here.

    FREE gift card worth up to €150 when booking a summer trip to Disneyland Paris

    Until 1 June 2025, guests can receive a gift card worth up to €150 to spend in Disneyland Paris shops and restaurants when booking select Disney Hotel and Park Tickets packages. Guests can simply pick up their gift card upon arrival at their booked Disneyland Paris hotel. Guests are eligible for the gift card when booking a stay between 5 July and 7 September 2025.

    This offer nicely coincides with the brand new Disney Music Festival which is currently going on until 7September. With festival exclusive themed merchandise available, this gift card could be very handy!

    Learn more about the promotion and book your Disneyland Paris trip here.

    Amazon Disney deal round up

    As usual, there are tons of Disney related deals available over on Amazon, from heavily discounted LEGO sets to a Disney parks cookbook, I’ve picked out some of the highlights below. Note, as an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases – this really helps to grow my blog!

    ProductPriceSaving
    LEGO Disney Simba the Lion King Cub£13.99 (£17.99)-22%
    LEGO Disney Lilo and Stitch Beach House Building Toy Set£59.99 (£79.99)-25%
    LEGO Disney Moana 2 Moana’s Adventure Canoe Set£34.99 (£54.99)-36%
    LEGO Disney Stitch Building Toy£40.99 (£59.99)-32%
    LEGO Disney Princess Elsa’s Frozen Castle£31.99 (£39.99)-20%
    Ravensburger Disney Encanto Jigsaw Puzzles£3.60 (£6.99)-48%
    Mattel Disney Moana 2 Toys, Moana’s Adventure Canoe Playset£25.99 (£39.99)-35%
    Disney Stitch My Busy Books – Storybook, 10 figurines, playmat£6.00 (£12.99)-54%
    Disney Princess Complete Collection Box set [Blu-ray] [Region Free]£20.73 (£69.99)-70%
    Monopoly Disney Stitch Edition Board Game£16.99 (£29.99)-43%
    The Official Disney Parks Cookbook: 101 Magical Recipes from the Delicious Disney Series£14.85 (£18.99)-22%
    Disney Winnie the Pooh – The Little Things in Life: Simple reflections from the Hundred-Acre Wood Book£5.70 (£14.99)-62%

    FREE Pua soft toy with Disney Store UK Orders over £60

    Shoppers who spend over £60 on the UK Disney Store can receive a free Pua soft toy with their order. The Pua plush is from the Disney Blissful Buddies Collection, created for the Disney Store. There are numerous items currently on sale at the Disney store to take you over the £60 threshold. Some of the highlights include a festive Mickey and Minnie Christmas jumper, an awesome Grape Soda drinking tumbler from Up, and a very reasonably priced Elsa costume for kids.

    Check out this offer on the UK Disney Store here.

    FREE Shipping and FREE gift when you spend $100+ at the US Disney Store

    For Disney fans based in the United States, free shipping is available on orders over $99 when you use the code SHIPMAGIC at checkout. Alternatively, shoppers who spend over $100 can redeem an alternative code at the checkout to receive one of four gifts; either a Mickey Mouse mug, a Minnie Mouse mug, a WDW snow globe Christmas decoration or a Disneyland snow globe Christmas decoration.

    Check out these offers on the US Disney Store here and view the free gift codes below.

    Free gift when you spend $100+ at the Disney Store

    FREE Tie-Fighter token in MONOPOLY GO! for Disney+ subscribers

    Players of the hugely popular MONOPOLY GO! mobile game can download a free Star Wars themed Tie-Fighter token to use in the game, provided they are subscribed to Disney+. Unfortunately, this freebie is only available to Disney+ subscribers based in the United States.

    You can download the token here until July 2nd.

    Image Credit: D23.

    FREE Downloadable Lilo & Stitch activity fun pack

    Ahead of Disney’s live action reimagining of Lilo & Stitch releasing on Friday 23rd May, Disney fans can download a free Stitch activity pack. Perfect for younger Lilo & Stitch fans, the activity pack contains colouring pages; “Spot the Difference” games; word searches; a Stitch mask you can cut out and wear; and more!

    You can download the activity pack here.

    FREE Walt Disney Archives 55th anniversary mobile wallpapers

    To celebrate 55 years of the Walt Disney Archives, Disney fans can download a collection of 55th Anniversary wallpapers. There are six wallpapers to choose from:

    • Mickey Mouse Plush Doll
    • Cinderella Glass Slippers
    • Winnie the Pooh Live-Action Reference Stand-In
    • BB-8, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
    • Hitchhiking Ghosts, Haunted Mansion attraction
    • Prop Storybook (“Mickey Mouse – His Book”)
    Image Credit: D23.

    I’ve currently got the BB-8 set as my phone wallpaper but I think they are all really cute!

    You can download the wallpapers here, as well as checking out the other upcoming Walt Disney Archive events instore this summer.

    Seen a deal you’re excited about? Let me know in the comments or tag me on socials if you grab one!

  • What can we expect to see at Disneyland Abu Dhabi?

    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 ParkLocal Price RangeUSD RangeGBP RangeEUR RangeNotes
    Walt Disney World (Florida)$139–$199$139–$199£110–£157€128–€183Prices vary by park and date; Magic Kingdom is typically most expensive.
    Disneyland Resort (California)$104–$179$104–$179£82–£141€96–€165Pricing varies by day and park.
    Disneyland Paris€63–€123$68–$134£54–£106€63–€123Prices vary by season and park access (1 or 2 parks).
    Tokyo Disneyland/DisneySea¥7,900–¥10,900$58–$80£46–£63€53–€74Prices vary by date; Tokyo DisneySea is often considered a better value.
    Shanghai Disneyland¥475–¥799$66–$110£52–£87€61–€101Four-tier pricing: Regular to Peak Plus.
    Hong Kong DisneylandHK$639$82£65€75Standard 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 ParkLocal Price RangeUSD RangeGBP RangeEUR RangeNotes
    SeaWorld Abu Dhabi (Yas Island)AED 375$102£81€94Fixed price; includes 8 immersive realms and 15+ rides.
    Ferrari World Abu Dhabi (Yas Island)AED 345$94£74€86Home to the world’s fastest roller coaster.
    Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi (Yas Island)AED 295$80£63€74Fully 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!

  • Lounge Lightspeed announced at Disneyland Paris!

    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!

  • Disney Announces Plans for Seventh Theme Park in Abu Dhabi

    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.

    Disney Abu Dhabi Concept Artwork Park
    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.

    Disney Abu Dhabi Concept Artwork Castle
    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.