Pixar surprised fans on social media yesterday with a major announcement: a new film set in the world of Luca, plus new images and concept art for their upcoming projects.
New Pixar Movie Gatto Announced!
Image Credit: Pixar
Slated to arrive in cinemas in 2027, Gatto comes from Luca director Enrico Casarosa and returns to Italy, whilst following a black cat named Nero. Pixar’s post states that Nero is “Indebted to a feline mob boss, he finds himself forced to forge an unexpected friendship that may finally lead him to his purpose…”.
I’m thrilled we’re heading back to the world of Luca! I’ve always felt the film flew under the radar due to its pandemic release, but I also like the fact that Gatto is a completely new original story, set in the world of Luca, rather than a direct sequel. I wonder if Nero will cross paths with Machiavelli, Giulia’s dads cat?
The image released alongside of the announcement shows the main character Nero exploring the streets of what looks to be Venice. At first glance, the image looks like concept art — but it’s actually the final animation style of the entire movie! This is super refreshing to see and credit to Pixar for trying something new.
The whole concept of a main cat protagonist in an animated movie is especially interesting, given that earlier this year the animated movie Flow won the Academy Award, as well as countless other awards. It may just be a coincidence, but those animated movie cat lovers out there are in for a treat!
New Image From Hoppers
Image Credit: Pixar
Pixar also released a brand new image from Hoppers, an upcoming Pixar film scheduled for release in March 2026. The image shows two joyful-looking beaver-like creatures, one wearing a crown and holding a stick. Whilst we don’t know a great deal about Hoppers just yet, the Pixar website states that the basic premise is that ‘scientists have discovered how to “hop” human consciousness into lifelike robotic animals, allowing people to communicate with animals as animals!’.
Of course, the new image doesn’t reveal much in terms of plot, but I must say, the animation looks fantastic. Just look at how fluffy the beavers’ fur is!
New Concept Art Image From Toy Story 5
Image Credit: Pixar
Toy Story 5 is also set for a 2026 release, and Pixar has released a concept art image. The image depicts Buzz, Jessie and Bullseye facing off with a tablet, which again coincides with what we know about the premise of Toy Story 5: ‘it’s Toy meets Tech’. Again, the image doesn’t really give us anything more than what we already know, but it’s another sign that we’re edging ever closer to seeing Woody, Buzz and the gang back together!
Which upcoming Pixar film are you most excited for? Let me know in the comments.
Earlier this year, I stayed at Disneyland Paris’s Hotel Cheyenne and thoroughly enjoyed my stay. Hotel Cheyenne is a perfect blend of Disney theming, fun and affordability (in Disney terms that is!). I’ve broken this review down into four sections, the hotel itself, the room, the location and price.
The Hotel & Theming
Checking in to Hotel Cheyenne, you are immediately greeted with a fantastic Wild West themed lobby, complete with cast members all wearing authentic cowboy attire. The check in process was smooth and despite not being able to check in to our room right away, we were able to store our luggage securely to collect after our first busy day in the park.
The grand lobby of Hotel Cheyenne, setting the immersive Wild West tone from the moment you step inside!
The theming of Hotel Cheyenne is truly fantastic. Focusing on the Wild West theme, it leans into Toy Story to really provide that added Disney touch. There are numerous Toy Story posters, displays and statues located all around the hotel. There are a few areas where the theming could be a little more polished, but as a whole, I think it masters immersion very well.
Toy Story theming galore – found this classic poster brightening up the hotel halls!
Cheyenne is undoubtedly less classy than the likes of Hotel Marvel or the Disneyland Hotel, but it definitely focuses on the fun elements which are much more suited to younger children (or big kids like myself!).
The hotel itself is huge and actually more like a holiday village, rather than a standard hotel. Capitalising on that Western theme, there are numerous buildings that house their rooms, all aptly named to the theme, with the likes of Jesse James and Billy The Kid. All buildings are accessible and have ramps and elevators for those who need them, but the hotel grounds are pretty large so bear that in mind! It is probably a 10-minute walk from one side of the hotel to the other.
Dining
Hotel Cheyenne is home to the Chuck Wagon Café, an all you can eat tex-mex buffet. We didn’t eat here during our stay, however we did have a nosy around and looked at the food on offer, which mainly comprised chillis, barbecued meats and a few Asian dishes. As a vegetarian, there were some plant-based options, however not quite enough to justify the price tag (check out my top 5 plant-based meal options at DLP here). The restaurant’s theming perfectly complemented that of the rest of the hotel, designed to evoke a bustling wagon station.
Walking through Hotel Cheyenne’s main street feels like stepping straight into a classic Western movie after dark.
There is also a Starbucks at the hotel, located next to the General Store, however according to the Disneyland Paris website (as of June 2025), this is currently closed for renovation. I’m not really sure why it’s undergoing refurbishment – it looked great when we visited in January! But don’t worry too much, if you need your coffee fix, there is a Starbucks in the Disney Village which you will pass if you walk to the parks in the morning.
Shopping
As with all Disney hotels, there is a small shop onsite at Cheyenne which is aptly named the General Store. The selection on offer is fairly basic and pretty consistent with what you will see at some of the other hotel stores; mugs, pins, plushies, snacks. There were a few things we did see in the General Store which we didn’t actually see in any of the other shops, however, I don’t believe these were exclusives, more likely a matter of fluctuating stock.
We did utilise the Shopping Carry Service available at Disneyland Paris which worked an absolute treat; we purchased a few things in one of the parks that were too bulky to carry around all day so we sent them to our hotel and then collected them later that day from the General Store. We’ve used this before at various hotels and it is always a simple process that I’d highly recommend.
Things to do
There is a fair bit to do at Hotel Cheyenne to keep both children and adults entertained. For children, there is a very small ‘indoor play area’ located in the hotel lobby, which, in all honesty, is absolutely tiny and every time we walked past was consistently very busy with lobby traffic. There are some much more impressive outdoor fort style play areas for children scattered around the hotel grounds which provide countless fun, as well as the possibility to go for a pony ride – this was unsurprisingly closed when we visited in temperatures hovering above zero degrees!
The daily Cheyenne Gazette and our trusty MagicPasses – essential reading (and access!) for every stay.
For adults, Cheyenne is home to the Red Garter Saloon, a bar located along from the Chuck Wagon Café and the General Store. It has both indoor and outdoor seating and we popped in here for a brief drink one evening and we loved it. There’s a really nice vibe to the bar and there are even Western style drinks available on the menu like the Runaway Train (raspberry vodka, curacao, raspberry nectar and fresh lemon juice) and the Wild West Bandit (whiskey, peach liqueur, raspberry purée, passion fruit nectar and tonic water). We did visit in the evening but it wasn’t too busy and made for a cosy atmosphere.
Character Experiences
Whilst we didn’t do any character meet and greets at Hotel Cheyenne during our time there, it is possible to meet both Woody and Jessie at the hotel. These characters are generally considered exclusive to Hotel Cheyenne, so make sure you do not miss them if you want photos and autographs. During our visit, we were advised that you can meet Jessie or Woody at the entrance of the Red Garter Saloon between 8:15am to 11am.
NOTE: You don’t need to stay at Hotel Cheyenne to meet Woody and Jessie, or to visit the hotel for that matter. You can simply visit the hotel by walking from the Disney Village.
The Rooms
We stayed in a ‘Woody’s Roundup’ standard room and honestly, it was great! As with most Disney holidays, you never really spend too much time in the room itself as you are out at the theme park all day, but Cheyenne’s standard rooms are more than sufficient. The theming of the rooms is great; there are Toy Story pictures hung upon the walls, Woody lampshades, cow print pillows and even a horse shoe mirror! The theming works wonderfully and creates the perfect atmosphere to rest your head after a long day in the parks. I was a big fan.
Ready for a good night’s sleep after a long day of adventures – loving the subtle cow print touches!
There are tea and coffee making facilities in the room and complimentary bottles of water too. Unfortunately, these are not replaced with the maid service, however if you have a water bottle you want filling, I had no problem getting this topped up at the Red Garter Saloon by staff. It’s worth noting too, there is no mini-fridge in the room which isn’t the end of the world, however it would come in handy if you were preparing lunch or snacks to take into the parks.
There is a television in the room which has the standard international news channels available, as well as a few local French channels too. There is an on demand Disney TV where you can watch a handful of Disney documentaries, as well as a music channel where you can watch Disney hits in a video compilation; albeit this kept cutting out when we tried to watch it for some reason. The on demand stuff is pretty half-baked if I’m honest and I really think Disney are missing a trick by not installing Disney+ into every room, or at least giving users the option to sign into their accounts.
Even the TV screen gets in on the Wild West action, alongside our much-needed morning coffee fix!
The bathroom is fairly spacious and comes with a bath shower. Overall, the bathroom is fairly basic and doesn’t quite live up to the impressive theming of the bedroom. The shower curtain is a yellowish brown and is adorned with horseshows which on the surface looks quite cool but can actually look a bit dingy at first glance. Of course, this is just a minor gripe about the theming, the bathroom itself was absolutely fine, in fact the shower pressure was actually quite good!
Even the toiletries at Hotel Cheyenne are ready for a rootin’ tootin’ good time!
The Location
Located roughly a 20-minute walk from the Disneyland Parks and only a 10-minute walk to the Disney Village, Hotel Cheyenne offers the perfect balance of being close to the action whilst feeling out of the way. The walk to the village and parks is very nice, you essentially follow the river along to the lake at the Disney Village, before walking past the Marvel Hotel and then reaching the village.
If you don’t want to walk however, there is a regular shuttle bus which takes guests to and from the hotel to the parks. We never used this service as for us, on a cold winters morning, a brisk walk was the perfect start to the day. Plus, by the time you’ve waited for the bus and everybody is onboard, you will probably arrive at the park at a similar time anyway!
One thing worth mentioning about the location too is its proximity to Hotel Santa Fe. Santa Fe is the Cars themed hotel and sits directly opposite Hotel Cheyenne, on the other side of the river. There are a few bridges that do actually connect the two hotels, so it is possible to visit this hotel if you want to check it out. We did this and had a bit of a nosy round and in doing so, we found that there is actually a fuel station located a brief walk from Santa Fe. There is a shop here and they do sell snacks, drinks (no alcohol) and food, however the prices were just as expensive as those in the Disney complex. It’s handy for essentials that Disney may not stock, mind you.
The Price
We stayed during January, so managed to secure a good price on our hotel package and park tickets. In fact, Hotel Cheyenne was actually the cheapest Disney hotel available (bar Davy Crockett Ranch) to book for us at the time and this is something I’ve seen previously when looking at prices. This is despite Hotel Cheyenne being a 3 star hotel and Santa Fe being 2 star. It seems like these two both interchange as being the most affordable onsite hotels.
That being said, as with most things, prices can fluctuate very easily! Having looked at the DLP website and compared a few of the hotels for their cheapest nights in July of 2025, Cheyenne actually came in at more expensive than both Santa Fe and Sequoia Lodge (£218 versus £205 and £213 respectively, based on 3 days, 2 nights). It’s worth bearing in mind that price doesn’t always represent hotel quality class when it comes to Disney hotels, or all hotels for that matter.
Ultimately, if I were paying £218 a night to stay at Cheyenne in the summer (including park tickets), I would consider that fair value. There isn’t a huge amount to separate these three hotels; it’s more a case of personal preference.
The Final Verdict
Disneyland Paris’s Hotel Cheyenne is a fantastic, affordable option available for guests who want to stay on a Disney property and enjoy the perks that they have to offer. Personally, I’m of the opinion that if you have the budget to stay onsite, it’s well worth it to take advantage of the magic hours and fully immerse yourself in the theming; and this is what Cheyenne does brilliantly. With a mix of things to do, fun and vibrant rooms and a handy location, I can definitely recommend a stay at Hotel Cheyenne!
Have you ever stayed at Hotel Cheyenne, or is it on your Disneyland Paris wish list? Let me know your thoughts or questions in the comments below – I’d love to hear from you!
June is absolutely stacked with a ton of exciting new content coming to Disney+! This month brings the return of Phineas and Ferb, Marvel’s long-awaited Ironheart, and Season 4 of the critically acclaimed series, The Bear. Here’s a look at everything coming to Disney+ this June.
Wednesday, June 4
Nine Perfect Strangers (Season 2, New Episodes)
Pupstruction (S2, 6 episodes)
Friday, June 6
Phineas and Ferb (Season 5 Premiere, New Episodes)
Predator: Killer of Killers (2025)
Not Her First Rodeo (Series Premiere, All Episodes)
Saturday, June 7
Savannah Bananas vs. The Party Animals
Sunday, June 8
Ocean with David Attenborough
Tuesday, June 10
Call Her Alex (Series Premiere, All Episodes)
Wednesday, June 11
Nine Perfect Strangers (Season 2, New Episodes)
Snow White (2025) – Check out my review of Snow White here.
Friday, June 13
Atsuko Okatsuka: Father
Monday, June 16
Underdogs (Series Premiere, All Episodes)
Tuesday, June 17
SALLY (2025)
Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends (Season 4 Premiere, New Episodes)
Wednesday, June 18
Nine Perfect Strangers (Season 2, New Episodes)
Friday, June 20
Frozen: The Hit Broadway Musical
Tuesday, June 24
Marvel Television’s Ironheart (Series Premiere, New Episodes)
Wednesday, June 25
Nine Perfect Strangers (Season 2, New Episodes)
The Bear (Season 4 Premiere, All Episodes)
Saturday, June 28
Savannah Bananas vs. The Firefighters
Monday, June 30
The Actor (2025)
What are you most looking forward to watching on Disney+ this June? Let me know in the comments.
Disney has announced plans to lay off several hundred people across the world, according to a report this week from Deadline. But what’s driving the decision?
Which areas are most impacted?
The layoffs are hitting several core creative and support functions. Specifically, the article states that workers in:
Film departments
Television departments
Finance departments (including corporate finance)
Marketing departments for both film and television units
Casting and development
To me, these specific areas clearly point to a strategic trimming – not just cost-cutting, but a deeper reshaping of Disney’s creative and financial DNA. Disney states no teams will be entirely closed, implying a strategic scaling back, not a complete elimination of departments.
Time for change: As Disney announces global layoffs in 2025, even the most iconic symbols of the company remind us that no era lasts forever.
Reasons behind the cuts
The article highlights 3 main reasons for the layoffs:
Industry Transformation & Shift to Streaming: This is the overarching reason given by Disney for the layoffs. The Deadline article highlights that viewers are moving “away from cable TV subscriptions in favour of streaming platforms.”
Continuation of Cost-Saving Initiative: These layoffs aren’t a new, isolated event. They follow the major layoffs announced in 2023, part of CEO Bob Iger’s ambitious plan to save $5.5 billion.
Efficiency While Fueling Creativity: Disney claims these cuts are about “efficiently managing our businesses while fuelling the state-of-the-art creativity and innovation.”
What can we take from this?
Interestingly, these layoffs are happening shortly after Disney reported “stronger than expected earnings in May,” with revenue up 7% due to Disney+ subscriber growth. It’s striking – and a little disheartening – to see layoffs follow strong streaming growth. Clearly, subscriber numbers aren’t the only metric that matters anymore; profitability is taking the wheel.
From a film perspective, it’s been a bit of a mixed bag for Disney of late: Snow White significantly underperformed, while the live action remake of Lilo & Stitch has broken numerous box office records.
These layoffs aren’t unusual for Disney, they appear to be part of Bob Iger’s plan to reshape Disney. These layoffs are also planned for employees across the globe, showing it’s a global realignment, not just a domestic focus.
These layoffs may be framed as strategy, but they’re also a reminder that even in times of growth, creative workers are rarely safe in corporate restructuring – especially when Wall Street’s approval seems to matter more than storytelling.
Have you or someone you know been impacted by the changes at Disney? Or do you have thoughts on how the entertainment industry is evolving? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.
Every week, I round up some of the best Disney related deals to be found online. From a new Disney+ perks programme, to discounted Disneyland California tickets, here are some of this week’s best deals (for the roundup of last week’s deals, check them out here).
Disney+ Launches Always-On Perks Programme, Hulu Joins This Summer!
Disney+ has just rolled out its new always-on Perks programme, offering subscribers rewards ranging from sweepstakes to discounts. Hulu will join the fun from June 2, 2025, with weekly benefits all summer long. These programmes are designed to give fans everything from access to unique experiences and sweepstakes to everyday savings and special discounts.
Highlights of Disney+ Perks at Launch (US):
A chance to win tickets to the Freakier Friday world premiere.
An opportunity to win a four-night cruise on the Disney Destiny, the newest Disney Cruise Line ship.
A six-month free DashPass membership from DoorDash (for new members).
Enjoy 20% off on adidas.com and in the adidas app.
Receive 15% off purchases at Funko.com and Loungefly.com.
Plus, take advantage of special summer savings at Walt Disney World Resort! Get rates starting from $99 per night at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort when you stay two nights or longer at select Disney Resorts Collection hotels.
Unlock Hulu Perks This Summer (US):
Beginning June 2, Hulu subscribers can look forward to new weekly offers including:
Chances to win tickets to popular events like Lollapalooza and Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Opportunities to win passes to Comic-Con® in San Diego.
Sweepstakes for exclusive items inspired by Hulu favourites such as The Handmaid’s Tale and Only Murders in the Building.
Unfortunately, at launch, these perks are exclusive to the United States. Fingers crossed they roll out across the globe sooner rather than later! For those of you in the States, you can check out these exciting new benefits here.
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.
Disneyland Anniversary Ticket Offer – Visit for as Low as $100 Per Day!
For those of you planning a summer visit to Disneyland in California, this is a deal you won’t want to miss! For a limited time, you can visit the Disneyland Resort for as low as $100 per day with a special 4-day, 1-park per day ticket (totalling $400). Prefer a shorter trip? Grab a 3-day ticket for as low as $120 per day ($360 total).
These specially priced tickets are valid for visits between May 16 through August 14, 2025. This offer perfectly coincides with the exciting Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration, so you can immerse yourself in all the new entertainment and decorations!
Just a heads-up: These tickets are subject to theme park reservation availability, so be sure to check your preferred dates before purchasing. You can also add Park Hopper and Lightning Lane Multi Pass upgrades for additional fees.
Check out this special anniversary ticket offer and book your magical trip to Disneyland Resort here.
Amazon Disney deal round up
As usual, there are tons of Disney-related deals available over on Amazon, from big savings on Disney LEGO sets to a Stitch slush maker that looks perfect for summer, 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!
Funko have launched their summer sale, with discounts available across both Funko products and Loungefly, ranging from savings of between 10% up to 50%. The summer sale is active on both the US Funko site, as well as Funko Europe. From Bitty Pop 4 packs as low as £3, to some really funky full-size Stitch Pops, there are plenty of deals available across Disney, Star Wars and Marvel.
FREE Lady & the Tramp 70th Anniversary Key with Disney Store UK Orders over £30
To celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Lady & the Tramp, shoppers who spend over £30 on Disney Store UK can receive a free special anniversary key with their order. The free gift should automatically apply to all baskets over £30, however if it doesn’t show, use the code KEY at checkout. This freebie aligns nicely with some of the sale items the Disney Store are currently running, including 25% off on Toy Story action figures, plus a fresh new range of Lilo & Stitch merchandise.
This offer runs until June 9th (or whilst stocks last). Check out the full details here.
Up to 50% off at the US Disney Store + FREE shipping on orders over $85
Over on the US Disney Store, Disney’s ‘Twice upon a year sale’ is now live, with a number of items available at big discounts. The website states that shoppers can get up 50% off certain items, but I’ve seen some products available with discounts as big as 75%! Some of my personal favourite picks are the Ahsoka Tano mask for kids ($7.98 down from $44.99), an awesome Home Alone mug ($4.98 down from $19.99) and some rather stylish Cinderella platform Crocs ($59.98 down from $99.99)
Shoppers can also get free shipping on orders over $85 using the code SHIPMAGIC at checkout.
Huge savings on Star Wars Young Jedi bundle (save £182!)
For young Star Wars fans based in the UK, retailer The Entertainer currently have an amazing offer available on a bundle of Star Wars Young Jedi toys. The bundle, retailing at £247.97, is currently priced at £65 and contains 7 Young Jedi products, from playsets to lightsabers. Be quick though, their website currently states that they have low stock of this bundle!
Two giants of entertainment and sport – Disney and Formula 1 – announced a surprising new collaboration last week, set to hit the track in 2026. As someone who adores both, I’ve spent the past week thinking: what exactly can we expect from this partnership?
What Can We Expect to See in Formula 1?
When I first heard the news, my mind immediately jumped to Cadillac, the new American constructor joining the Formula 1 grid in 2026. Sponsorships are a pivotal way F1 teams fund their car development, and with Cadillac being an American team, a major Disney sponsorship seemed like a logical fit.
However, upon reading the press release, it’s clear the collaboration is between the overarching Formula 1 brand and Disney, rather than with an individual team. The release states that fans can “look forward to seeing Mickey & Friends in F1 through experiences, content, and merchandise around the globe.” This sounds much more like Formula 1’s recent collaboration with the LEGO Group, which has given us everything from merchandise to a hilarious mini-race featuring drivers in full-scale LEGO replica cars.
There are a whole host of exciting opportunities within Formula 1. We could see interactive zones at Grand Prix circuits, Disney-themed pre and post-race shows or entertainment, and, of course, character appearances. Don’t be surprised if Disney-themed race car liveries feature at races, whether across all teams or just individual ones. The Mickey and Friends themed livery showcased in the announcement photos actually looks super eye-catching, and I truly hope we see more of this in the future!
The Cars franchise will no doubt embed itself into Formula 1 somehow. Could we see Lightning McQueen racing the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen? This could be similar to the LEGO mini-race we saw at Miami this year. While the press release specifically frames this as a Mickey and Friends collaboration, there are a few drivers on the current grid who are openly Cars fans. Because of that, I fully expect the collaboration to extend beyond the initial announcement.
From a digital perspective, we can expect Disney-themed F1 game content. With F1 25 just released, we might see Disney liveries and even themed tracks as early as next year. F1 x Disney mobile app integration also seems plausible, especially with F1’s ongoing push to target younger fans.
What can we expect to see in the world of Disney?
As with any Disney partnership, there’s one thing we can always expect: merchandise! Similar to the LEGO and Formula 1 partnership, we’ll likely see items specifically celebrating this unique pairing. Given LEGO produced Formula 1 race car replicas, expect something similar with Disney – perhaps toy sets featuring Mickey and his friends driving F1 cars?
One category of merchandise I’m certain we’ll see plenty of is apparel. F1 thrives on clothing collaborations — I was gutted to miss out on the Peanuts range last year! It’s an easy win for cross-brand tie-ins, so expect plenty of F1 x Disney clothing available at both the parks and the Grand Prix events.
One of the areas I’m most intrigued to see Formula 1 influence at Disney is, of course, the theme park rides. While there’s no mention of rides in the press release, I can definitely envision F1-themed attractions popping up in Disney theme parks in the near future. EPCOT’s Test Track would be an ideal candidate for an F1-inspired redesign – imagine guests designing their own F1 car before taking it for a spin on the circuit. Interestingly, Test Track is currently being “reimagined” – could this align perfectly with the new collaboration?
Beyond potential new rides, I can certainly see Disney and Formula 1 coming together with promotional content at the Disney theme parks. This is especially plausible given the geographical proximity of several F1 tracks to Disney resorts. The Miami International Autodrome is approximately 350 km from Walt Disney World in Orlando, the Suzuka Circuit is around 400 km from Tokyo Disneyland, and the Shanghai International Circuit is just 30 km from Shanghai Disneyland. Imagine F1 drivers visiting Disneyland Parks for a day of challenges or a special event, creating unique content for both brands!
One final key point involves Formula 1 broadcasting. Interestingly, ESPN (a Disney-owned company) holds the rights to broadcast Formula 1 in the United States. We’ve previously seen innovative Toy Story-themed NFL coverage featured on Disney+, broadcast via ESPN. I fully expect similar animated broadcasts to appear for Disney+ subscribers, and I really hope they won’t be limited to certain regions.
Overall, the Disney and Formula 1 collaboration holds exciting possibilities for fans of both brands. Personally, I’m all for it, and I can’t wait to see what’s to come!
Spanning five films, five theme park rides, a dozen video games and endless merchandise, it’s safe to say that Pirates of the Caribbean (POTC) is one of the most beloved Disney franchises of all time. However, given its popularity, why haven’t we seen a new Pirates movie in over eight years?
Cast your mind back to the post credit scene of POTC: Dead Men Tell No Tales (or ‘Salazar’s Revenge’ for those of us not based in the United States); a reunited Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann are asleep in bed, when the shadow of Davy Jones enters the room. Will promptly wakes up and assuming it was a nightmare, goes back to sleep, unaware of the barnacles lying on the floor next to the bed. It’s fair to say that the POTC franchise was very much left on a cliffhanger; so why haven’t we seen a sixth movie – and will we ever?
Box Office vs. Critical Reception
While critics largely gave Dead Men Tell No Tales negative reviews, long-time fans remained loyal – as evidenced by its strong box office performance. With a global haul of nearly $800 million against a budget of $230–320 million, Dead Men Tell No Tales was financially successful.
With that kind of return, a sequel would usually be a no-brainer. It’s common for sequels and remakes to flop both critically and commercially, often leading studios to throw in the towel. But this wasn’t the case with Pirates.
The Sixth Film That Never Came
In fact, prior to the release of POTC: On Stranger Tides (the fourth Pirates movie), it was reported that Disney were planning to shoot the fifth and sixth Pirates films back to back. In 2017, both director Joachim Rønning and producer Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed that Dead Men Tell No Tales would not be the last film in the Pirates series.
Later that year, actress Kaya Scodelario, who played Carina Smyth, stated that she was contractually signed to return for a sixth movie. Despite all this buzz, the news around a sixth Pirates movie seemed to tail off, until the year 2020, when the future of the franchise became far murkier.
Multiple Films, One Messy Timeline
In 2020, Jerry Bruckheimer stated that the first draft of the screenplay for the sixth film was soon to be finished. Later that year, Disney revealed plans for a female-led spin-off starring Margot Robbie – separate from the still-in-development sixth Pirates film.
However in 2022, Margot Robbie said that the Pirates spin-off was no longer going forward. Despite this, Jerry Bruckheimer (yep, this guy again!) stated that the project wasn’t dead and just needed more work. He also stated that another spin-off movie was in the works, separate from the one starring Margot Robbie.
That meant three projects were supposedly in the works: the sixth mainline film, the Robbie-led spin-off, and a third, separate spin-off Bruckheimer teased in later interviews.
More recently in 2024, Jerry Bruckheimer (seemingly the voice of the franchise by this point!), provided additional clarity to the status of the Pirates of the Caribbean series. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he confirmed that two Pirates movies are currently in the pipeline: a reboot (technically the sixth film in the franchise) and the long-rumoured Margot Robbie-led spin-off. He noted that the reboot would be an entirely new cast, however hoped that Johnny Depp would make an appearance.
Will the Original Cast Return?
Interest from the original cast has been mixed. Orlando Bloom expressed a desire to return in 2023, while Keira Knightley stated that her character had already ‘sailed away in brilliant style.’ During his infamous defamation trial with Amber Heard, Johnny Depp declared he had no intention of working with Disney again. However, a 2023 People magazine report suggested Depp might be open to returning under the right conditions.
What Has Disney Actually Said?
Despite all of this anticipation, teasing and speculation, we are still yet to have any official communication as to the status of the Pirates franchise. The last we’ve officially heard from Disney about the POTC franchise was back in 2023 when Sean Bailey, President of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, stated that restarting the Pirates franchise was a priority for the studio. Ironically, amidst all this Pirates circus, Sean Bailey stepped down as president in 2024 – so honestly, who knows where we are now!
Real-World Roadblocks
Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike slowed down any momentum the Pirates movies were gathering. While most updates have remained optimistic, the timelines remain frustratingly vague.
According to the reports and interviews, we could potentially have three movies on the horizon, however, it doesn’t seem as though we are any closer to seeing these released.
Is It Too Late to Continue the Original Storyline?
I grew up on the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and adore the franchise, so personally I’d love to see more films in the future, however it very much feels like the ship has sailed on the storyline from the first five movies.
If a sixth Pirates movie were to happen, we’d likely be looking at 2027 – a full decade since Dead Men Tell No Tales. At that point, it’s questionable whether the franchise could realistically continue the story of Henry Turner and Carina Smyth.
Key Events in the Pirates Franchise Timeline
2011 – POTC: On Stranger Tides (4th film) is released
Plans reportedly begin to shoot the 5th and 6th films back to back.
2017 – POTC: Dead Men Tell No Tales (aka Salazar’s Revenge) is released
Director Joachim Rønning and producer Jerry Bruckheimer confirm it’s not the final film.
Kaya Scodelario reveals she’s signed on for a sixth movie.
Post-credit scene teases the return of Davy Jones.
2020
Jerry Bruckheimer says the first draft of Pirates 6 is almost complete.
Disney announces a female-led spin-off starring Margot Robbie.
Reports of a third Pirates-related project (another spin-off) begin to circulate.
2022
Margot Robbie says her spin-off is no longer moving forward.
Bruckheimer claims the project is still alive and just “needs more work.”
2023
Orlando Bloom expresses interest in returning.
Keira Knightley says Elizabeth Swann’s story is complete.
During his defamation trial, Johnny Depp declares he won’t work with Disney again — but later that year, he’s reportedly open to a return under the right conditions.
Disney’s Sean Bailey calls rebooting POTC a “priority” for the studio.
2024
Jerry Bruckheimer confirms two movies are in development:
A reboot (technically the 6th film, with a new cast)
The Margot Robbie spin-off (still on the table)
Sean Bailey steps down as President of Walt Disney Studios.
Ultimately, we’re still left in the dark about the future of the franchise, but here’s hoping that the franchise isn’t completely dead and we can see more movies in the future.
Jerry Bruckheimer, if you’re reading this – what’s the latest?!
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!
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!
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
Dish
Restaurant
Park/Area
Price
Quick Notes
Lentil Dhal
Colonel Hathi’s Outpost
Disneyland Park (Adventureland)
€15
Comes with naan + rice; warming, nutritious, and satisfying. Also pairs well with fritters.
Lasagnette
Manhattan Restaurant
Disney Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel
€32
A refined pasta dish with chestnut flour and forest mushrooms. Great bread roll for sauce-mopping!
Vegan Burrito
Casa de Coco – Restaurante de Familia
Disneyland Park (Frontierland)
€11
Filling, flavour-packed burrito with rice, chilli, and guacamole. Great for picky eaters too!
Plant-Based Hot Dog
Casey’s Corner
Disneyland Park (Main Street, U.S.A.)
€11
Quick-service gem with veggie chilli and vegan sausage. Would benefit from included sides.
Plant-Based “Meatball” Stew
The Steakhouse
Disney Village
€28
Hearty 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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
Steamboat Charlie 