At Disneyland Abu Dhabi, Miral, Not Disney, Is Leading the Magic

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Disneyland Abu Dhabi, announced by Bob Iger as Disney’s initial park in the Middle East in collaboration with Miral, has been generating worldwide attention. However, it’s important to note that the new Disney destination isn’t solely a Disney venture; rather, it’s more of a joint project between Disney and Miral.

As per an in-depth article by Caroline Reid for Forbes, it’s clear that Miral from Abu Dhabi holds significant control, leading the way forward.

For the initial occasion in history, Disney is sharing its renowned name, characters, and design skills as a component of a broader collection of diverse intellectual properties (IPs) within a resort, where Disney will not be the primary entity.

Just like how Tokyo Disneyland isn’t in charge, constructing, or managing the park, similarly, the company doesn’t hold these responsibilities either. Instead, it is Miral, a significant Emirati leisure corporation, that shoulders the tasks of development and operation. This prolific organization has already turned Yas Island into one of the world’s foremost theme park locations.

Why Abu Dhabi, Not Saudi Arabia?

In simpler terms, Reid points out that Disney had multiple interested parties in the Gulf region. Among them was Saudi Arabia, known for splurging to attract big-name brands, who made a strong attempt. However, Disney turned down the offer. When Iger was questioned about the decision, he emphasized the appeal of Abu Dhabi’s market of 500 million people, its modern infrastructure, careful urban planning, and artistic institutions such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the future Guggenheim.

The points made are all valid, but it’s worth noting that the same factors could also apply to cities like Dubai, Qatar, or Saudi Arabia. However, what sets Abu Dhabi apart is that they already had Miral in place.

Miral’s Track Record Outshines Rivals

One key factor that convinced Disney was Miral’s demonstrated skill in constructing top-tier theme parks. As Reid notes, they have already created Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and SeaWorld Yas Island. These aren’t mere imitations; instead, they are indoor wonders designed to withstand the heat of the Gulf region, and they’re celebrated for their immersive theming and exceptional cleanliness.

Reid claims that Miral’s parks match up well against those from Disney and Universal, and in certain aspects even outshine them. To illustrate this, he states that SeaWorld Abu Dhabi surpasses every other SeaWorld location and significantly outperforms Disney’s The Living Seas pavilion in Orlando.

Essentially, this means that Miral was capable of managing a resort on its own without Disney’s guidance. On the flip side, Disney required Miral to demonstrate that their brand could be successful within the Middle Eastern region.

The Disney Veterans Now Building for Miral

Instead of Disney maintaining operational control as they do in cities like Paris, Shanghai, or Hong Kong, the project in Abu Dhabi is managed by Disney veterans who are now employed by Miral.

Reid gives emphasis to Julien Kauffmann, the former Chief Transformation Officer at Disneyland Paris, who now holds the position of CEO at Miral Experiences. Meanwhile, Nicolas Gougenheim, an ex-Disney employee with a tenure of 14 years, manages retail, dining, and maintenance of rides for Miral.

Reid focuses on Julien Kauffmann, previously the Chief Transformation Officer at Disneyland Paris, now serving as CEO in Miral Experiences. At the same time, Nicolas Gougenheim, a former Disney employee with a 14-year tenure, is responsible for retail, dining, and maintenance of rides within Miral.

John Rowland is a theater professional with 20 years of experience, who has worked for Cameron Mackintosh and Disney Theatrical in the past. At Miral, he currently oversees entertainment across all properties on Yas Island. On his LinkedIn profile, he clarifies that he heads up the creative development and delivery of top-tier entertainment at places like Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, SeaWorld Yas Island, and the upcoming Disney Abu Dhabi.

In essence, there’s no room for debate on this matter. Miral isn’t merely operating a Disney park; it’s the team, made up of numerous former Disney employees, who are responsible for the conceptualization, staffing, and delivery of the overall visitor experience.

WDI Reduced to Contractor Status

Typically, Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) is the one who controls park development, determining aspects like scope, scale, and creative vision. However, as Reid explains, things work differently in Abu Dhabi – they go against this model by taking the lead role.

She clarifies that while WDI (Walt Disney Imagineering) oversees such projects across all Disney parks, in Abu Dhabi and Tokyo, they are actually working for a client who is paying them, not dictating the terms as they usually do. In these cases, Miral is responsible for determining the location, setting the specifications, and outlining the masterplan. Disney, on the other hand, delivers the design they’ve been contracted to create.

In Paris, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, Disney holds shares and seats on the board. However, in Abu Dhabi, there’s no such ownership or representation. Instead, the park is owned by Miral, but carries the Disney name.

The Only Precedent: Tokyo Disneyland

In Disney’s collection, only Tokyo Disneyland, managed by the Oriental Land Company (OLC), can be considered a comparable model. However, Disney still enjoys a tight and enduring collaboration with the OLC, which comes with substantial financial advantages based on the OLC’s success.

In simpler terms, it’s worth noting that Disneyland in Abu Dhabi won’t stand alone like other Disney resorts do. Instead, it will share the space with other popular brands such as Warner Bros., SeaWorld, and Ferrari, all managed by Miral. This unique arrangement sets Disneyland Abu Dhabi apart from every other Disney destination in history.

Al Zaabi: The Man in Charge

At the heart of this narrative is Mohamed Al Zaabi, who serves as CEO at Miral. According to Reid’s account, Al Zaabi is an enthusiastic leader who frequently explores the parks, engaging with visitors and overseeing enhancements. Upon witnessing a young girl in tears due to being unable to ride the high-adrenaline coaster Flying Aces, he promptly ordered his team to develop a family-friendly roller coaster. This area, now one of Ferrari World’s most prosperous, is still standing today as a testament to his dedication and attentiveness.

The story underscores the reasons behind Miral being entrusted with leadership; much like how Disney was synonymous with Anaheim, Al Zaabi is deeply connected and meticulous about Yas Island, ensuring both his active involvement and a focus on the satisfaction of its guests.

A Disney Park Among Rivals

One surprising aspect of this tale is that Disneyland in Abu Dhabi isn’t intended to be a solitary attraction. Instead, it will coexist with Warner Bros. World, Ferrari World, and SeaWorld – all theme parks managed by Miral.

Disney has never before agreed to share its “theme park roster” with predominantly rival companies, which indicates the significant compromises Disney made in dealing with Miral.

Conclusion – Miral’s Magic, Disney’s Name

It’s crystal clear from Caroline Reid’s reporting that Disneyland Abu Dhabi is not a venture led by Disney. Instead, it’s a project spearheaded by Miral, with them handling everything from funding and construction, to hiring staff and managing daily operations.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: In this new setup, Disney continues to share its beloved intellectual properties, characters, and the innovative ideas of Imagineering. However, they are now serving as a vendor rather than the owner. Miral steps into the role of the client, making all the key decisions, and they will be the ones running the resort. Disney’s magic remains, but it’s under the watchful eye of Miral.

If you’re a fan anticipating another Orlando or Anaheim, this might be shocking. But for Miral, it’s a testament to their rapid ascendancy. The company has already demonstrated its ability to create theme parks on par with Disney and Universal. Now, they will demonstrate their capability of constructing a park like Disney itself.

Disneyland Abu Dhabi may carry the Mouse’s name, but the steering wheel belongs to Miral.

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2025-08-29 22:05