Trump Reveals Bob Iger Visit, Praises New Disney Park in Abu Dhabi as 'Incredible'

May 16, 2025 in "Disneyland Abu Dhabi"

Gallery / 2 Photos
Disney Abu Dhabi Concept Art

Posted: Friday May 16, 2025 4:30pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

As U.S. President Donald Trump concluded his Middle East tour with a speech in Abu Dhabi today, he touched on trade, investment, and a renewed partnership between the United States and the United Arab Emirates. The speech marked the final stop of his regional visit and included announcements of major new trade deals and investment commitments between U.S. and UAE business interests.

Addressing a high-level audience of business and political leaders, Trump emphasized economic cooperation and American innovation abroad. In a brief aside, he also referenced the newly announced Disney theme park resort planned for Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

"Disney. I see that new theme park is going to be incredible," Trump said. "Bob Iger was in my office the other day, and he was showing it to me. It's going to be incredible."

Disney Abu Dhabi Concept Art

While no further details were shared, the comment suggests that Disney CEO Bob Iger had recently previewed plans for the park with Trump, which was publicly announced earlier last week in partnership with Abu Dhabi-based developer Miral.

The upcoming Disney resort in Abu Dhabi will be Disney's first in the Middle East and its seventh global theme park destination. The project will be fully funded and operated by Miral, with Disney leading creative development and operational oversight through its Imagineering division. No opening date has been announced.

Disney Abu Dhabi Concept Art

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DisDude3323 days ago

I was wondering if the ad was put there by Miral or Disney. TWDC has a lot of investors in the UK and I could see them putting it up to remind people that they are about to make a lot of money off a park they aren’t paying for. Extremely unlikely.

Robbiem23 days ago

I think the advert is a statement on the part of Miral rather than trying to drum up business for something which doesn’t even have an opening fate. An advert in Picadilly is a statement that you are a ‘big player’. I wouldn’t expect adverts in less central locales until much nearer to opening but it will be interesting to see if we bet similar ads in other major cities, at the very least it may tell us where tney are targeting as markets for the new resort. Will Miral do similar in cities like Singapore, Bangkok, Cairo, Istanbul etc? I wonder if they will be allowed to advertise in Paris?

LittleBuford23 days ago

I’m not denying that locals will also see the advert (for what it’s worth, I’m a Londoner myself). I just meant that it is targeted at least as much (and I would say quite a bit more) at foreign visitors. It would be interesting—and telling—to see if Disney is putting such adverts up in less touristy areas too.

Robbiem23 days ago

The adverts at Piccadilly are probably the most famous and some of the most expensive in London, the equivalent to Times Square in NYC. Plenty of people from all over will see this, including Brits (fun fact my mother used to work at the Boots the Chemist in the photo so I know here really well - while its touristy there are lots of offices and some residential nearby as well). It will be interesting to see if any more spring up in other cities. I am surprised though OLC aren’t allowed to advertise outside Japan but Miral don’t appear to have these restrictions

Disstevefan123 days ago

See the UAE has a better human rights record that China...... Wait. Never mind. ;)

DisDude3323 days ago

All of these are good options. I particularly like the idea of Finding Nemo and Wreck It Ralph getting some parks love and think some cool stuff can be done with those IPs

Lilofan25 days ago

My family loved that area and especially the seemingly endless Indian restaurants all over London.

LittleBuford25 days ago

Being Muslim doesn’t automatically make you more inclined to go on holiday to the UAE. Most British Muslims are unlikely to belong to the demographic being targeted here.

Tha Realest25 days ago

London has a sizeable Muslim population

LittleBuford25 days ago

Piccadilly Circus is full of tourists, including many from the Arab world and from countries whose citizens visit the UAE. It’s not a place your average Brit passes through except when heading into the West End for entertainment or shopping purposes.