If you’ve been following the news out of Disney’s Hollywood Studios in recent months, you’ll know things have been looking a little… murky over on Sunset Boulevard. Ever since the Aerosmith era officially came to an end, fans have been eagerly waiting to see how The Electric Mayhem (the Muppets’ iconic house band) would transform one of the most famous rides in Florida.
Well, the wait is finally over! Disney just dropped the full details and I have to say, it looks fantastic.
The iconic guitar is getting a serious Electric Mayhem makeover for the May 26th opening. (Image credit: Disney Parks Blog)
The Big Date
It’s official: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets will officially open on May 26th, 2026!
While I’ll miss the classic Aerosmith vibes, the fact that they’ve turned this around so quickly is actually impressive. It’s effectively a clever “paint job” and re-theme, but it means fans don’t have to wait years for the ride to return. A high-speed upgrade with a bit of Muppet chaos is exactly what the park needs right now without the long-term construction headaches. They’ve even confirmed previews for staff, Season Pass holders, and DVC members starting mid-May, so it’s all moving very fast!
A first look at the new pre-show where we’ll see the first-ever Audio-Animatronic Scooter! (Image credit: Disney Parks Blog)
The Setlist
What is a rock ‘n’ roll road trip without a killer playlist? Disney has confirmed that we aren’t just getting one song – we’re getting a full “concert” experience. The Electric Mayhem have teamed up with some massive artists for the setlist, and it looks incredible.
The launch track is a cover of Blur’s “Song 2” as you blast from 0 to 60mph. Here’s the full confirmed setlist:
“Song 2” – The Electric Mayhem
“Born To Be Wild” – The Electric Mayhem ft. Camilla the Chicken
“Love Rollercoaster” – The Electric Mayhem ft. Jennifer Hudson & Questlove
“Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)” – The Electric Mayhem ft. Def Leppard
“Walking on Sunshine” – The Electric Mayhem ft. Kelly Clarkson
Each limo will have its own unique track which gives the ride so much replayability, I know I will definitely be jumping straight to the back of the queue to hear the next song! Disney have also teased some ‘bonus tracks’ too!
A Bittersweet Change?
The story sounds like classic Muppets. We’re invited to G-Force Records for a VIP tour by Scooter’s uncle, J.P. Grosse (who apparently now owns the studio!), but the band is nowhere to be found.
I’m also really excited to see the new Audio-Animatronic of Scooter in the pre-show. It’s the first time we’ve seen him as an animatronic, and he’s apparently joined by a team of penguins acting as audio engineers – which is just classic Muppets! Instead of the old stretch limo, we’ll be boarding a L.I.M.O. (Lengthy Immediate Motion Object) designed by Muppet Labs.
Disney have also confirmed a massive list of celebrity cameos to look out for in the queue, including “Weird Al” Yankovic, Neil Patrick Harris, and Travis Barker. While most fans were gutted to see MuppetVision 3D go, seeing the Muppets get this level of detail for their own ride feels like a huge win.
Neil Patrick Harris is just one of the massive celebrity cameos confirmed for the new queue. (Image credit: Disney Parks Blog)
The Verdict
I am really looking forward to seeing this for myself, hopefully in the not too distant future! If Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets is anything like the conversion of the Paris version into Avengers Assemble: Flight Force, we are in for a real treat. And while I really did have a soft spot for Aerosmith, it always felt a bit “less Disney” than the rest of the park. A Muppets rebrand feels like a fantastic fit, and I’m a big fan of the attention to detail Disney seem to be putting into this!
What do you think of the new Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster ride? Are you looking forward to hearing the setlist and seeing the Muppets makeover? Let me know in the comments!
If you thought 2025 was busy, 2026 is shaping up to be an absolute powerhouse for Disney, Pixar, and Marvel. From long-awaited sequels to some incredibly unique original stories, here is the full checklist of everything we’ll be watching on the big and small screens this year.
January
January 6: Will Trent
January 6: The Rookie
January 7: Tron: Ares (Disney+ Streaming Debut)
January 13: Hey A.J.!
January 16: Phineas and Ferb
January 22: Disneyland Handcrafted (New Documentary)
January 26: American Idol
January 27: Wonder Man
January 30: Send Help (Theatrical)
February
February 4: The Muppet Show: Sabrina Carpenter Special
February 20: Psycho Killer (Theatrical)
February 25: Scrubs
February 27: Celebrity Jeopardy! All Stars
March
March 4: Daredevil: Born Again
March 6: Hoppers (Theatrical)
March 22: The Bachelorette
March 27: The Dog Stars (Theatrical)
March 27: Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (Theatrical)
May
May 1: The Devil Wears Prada 2 (Theatrical)
May 22: The Mandalorian and Grogu (Theatrical)
June
June 19: Toy Story 5 (Theatrical)
July
July 10: Moana (Live-Action Theatrical)
July 31: Spider-Man: Brand New Day (Theatrical)
August
August 1: Sofia the First: Royal Magic
October
October 16: Whalefall (Theatrical)
November
November 25: Hexed (Theatrical)
December
December 18: Avengers: Doomsday (Theatrical)
Looking at that list, I honestly can’t wait for the year ahead. Seeing Star Wars return to the big screen with The Mandalorian and Grogu feels like a massive moment we’ve been waiting years for, and the hype for Robert Downey Jr.’s return in Avengers: Doomsday is very, very real.
On the animation front, I have to say that Hoppers is right at the top of my list – the trailer looks like such great fun and it’s exactly the kind of quirky original story Pixar does best. What are you most excited for in 2026? Let me know in the comments!
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.
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.
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!
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.
Steamboat Charlie 