Disney Unveils Plans for First New Theme Park in 15 Years with Abu Dhabi ResortFor the first time in over a decade, The Walt Disney Company has revealed plans to launch a new theme park — a landmark resort in Abu Dhabi, marking Disney’s official debut in the Middle East.Announced shortly after the company posted strong second-quarter results, Disneyland Abu Dhabi will become Disney’s seventh global resort destination.Disney’s theme parks have been a cornerstone of its financial performance, accounting for 59% of operating income in fiscal year 2024 as the company faces intensifying competition in the streaming space. While attendance at U.S. parks dipped slightly last year, Disney reported a rebound in domestic visitation and a surge in revenue for the first quarter. Internationally, resorts have shown more robust growth in both attendance and guest spending, although Disney faced setbacks in China where trade tensions led to declining attendance in Shanghai and Hong Kong, dragging down international park revenues for the quarter.The Abu Dhabi resort will be fully developed, constructed, and operated by Miral, a local development company, with Disney Imagineers guiding creative and operational aspects. Slated for a potential opening in the early 2030s, the project includes at least one theme park and an unspecified number of hotels.Josh D’Amaro, Disney Experiences chairman, says that each park must uniquely reflect its location through its design, cuisine, and cultural experiences. “We’re not just dropping in a duplicate of an existing park,” D’Amaro explained. “Abu Dhabi deserves something tailored.”The city’s strategic position also influenced the decision. Abu Dhabi and Dubai aim to become top-tier global travel hubs, connecting one-third of the world’s population within four hours. This includes the 1.4 billion people in India, many of whom will find Abu Dhabi more accessible than Disney parks in East Asia. D’Amaro cited a regional market of roughly 500 million potential visitors with the means to travel to a Disney resort.“This location was a clear choice for our seventh resort,” D’Amaro added.The new Disneyland will sit on Yas Island, home to several major attractions developed by Miral, such as SeaWorld Yas Island Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World (licensed through CNN’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery), and Yas Waterworld. Located just 20 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi and under an hour from Dubai, Yas Island also boasts a golf course, a marina, a shopping mall, and over 165 restaurants.A Futuristic VisionDisney promises its most technologically advanced park yet, aligning with Abu Dhabi’s modern, forward-looking image. Unlike traditional castle-centered parks, this one will feature a sleek, spiral-shaped crystal tower, breaking from classic fairytale designs.It will also be Disney’s first resort located directly on a waterfront. While Tokyo Disney Resort borders the Pacific, its shores aren’t accessible to guests. The Abu Dhabi location will integrate the water directly into the visitor experience.The resort is expected to leverage Disney’s growing investment in immersive technologies. D’Amaro mentioned tools like Unreal Engine — widely used in Disney’s film productions — could also power dynamic visual effects within attractions. “This allows us to bring stories from movies and games into the park in real time. We’re highly optimistic about the potential,” he said.Facing Off with UniversalThis is Disney’s first new park announcement since the unveiling of Shanghai Disneyland in 2010. It follows closely behind Universal’s recent news about its own seventh global resort, to be built in the United Kingdom, and just ahead of the debut of Universal’s Epic Universe in Florida — the first major park opening in the U.S. in 26 years.Still, Disney isn’t worried about losing market share. D’Amaro told CNBC that Universal’s expansions in Florida tend to drive more traffic to Disney parks: “When something opens in Central Florida, we typically benefit. No one visits the area and skips Star Wars.”He also revealed that the Abu Dhabi park has been in discussion for around ten years. In 2023, Disney’s theme parks welcomed over 140 million guests globally — more than any other amusement operator — including over 17 million each at Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Park, the world’s two most visited parks.Domestic park visits slowed last year as U.S. travelers grew sensitive to rising costs and economic uncertainty. Meanwhile, international locations had outperformed, though Q1 saw domestic parks bounce back. Disney believes that investing in globally diverse locations helps cushion economic swings.While speculation swirls around a possible fifth park at Walt Disney World, D’Amaro only referenced ongoing expansion within the current four parks, with no new park confirmed.Financial OutlookAlongside its park news, Disney announced robust financial performance, driven by both its parks and its media platforms like Disney+ and Hulu. The company posted $23.6 billion in revenue — up 7% year-over-year — and $4.4 billion in operating income, a 15% increase.Disney’s entertainment streaming segment earned $10.7 billion in revenue and $1.3 billion in operating income. Disney+ added 1.4 million subscribers in Q2, overcoming a 700,000-subscriber loss in Q1 and bringing the total to 126 million. Hulu also grew, adding 1.3 million subscribers — a 3% increase. Direct-to-consumer profits jumped to $336 million, up from $47 million a year prior.“We’re carefully monitoring macroeconomic conditions that could affect our operations,” Disney stated in its earnings release. “There’s still uncertainty around the economic landscape for the remainder of the fiscal year.”

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Dubai’s Padel Boom: From Niche Sport to Lifestyle PhenomenonDubai is now home to more than 250 padel courts, and both the number of courts and the player base are continuing to grow steadily. What was once considered a niche sport has now become a city-wide craze, with padel rapidly gaining traction across all demographics. With court construction and participation both on the rise, the question remains—what exactly is fueling this explosive growth, and is it a temporary trend or a lasting addition to Dubai’s vibrant sports culture?“In my view, padel is here to stay—permanently. In fact, last year it surpassed football as the most played sport in the UAE, although football still tops the charts when it comes to viewership. Padel, however, has taken the lead in actual participation,” said Ali Al Arif, CEO of World Padel Academy. “Backed by major investments from the government, the federation, and private companies, and with a continuous wave of new players trying it out, padel’s rise is showing no signs of slowing down,” he explained.“Padel has transitioned from being a trend to becoming a fundamental part of Dubai’s active lifestyle,” Al Arif asserted.This racquet sport—often described as a hybrid of tennis and squash—has seen tremendous popularity in recent years. Al Arif even described it as “addictive,” a sentiment echoed by many regular players.The sport traces its roots back to 1969, when entrepreneur Enrique Corcuera created the first padel court to fit within his property’s limited space. Because padel courts are more compact—three can fit into the area required for a single tennis court—many business owners have opted to convert tennis facilities into padel venues, enhancing profitability.“Today, padel is regarded as a legitimate sport, with structured coaching, competitive leagues, professional tournaments, and even global championships,” Al Arif noted.The Drivers Behind the Surge in Popularity“Padel is easy to pick up, enjoyable to play, and inherently social, which explains why it resonates with such a broad audience,” said Al Arif. “Dubai has played a pivotal role in the sport’s rapid evolution, thanks to substantial private investments in premium venues that have accelerated its development.”Leadership in the city has also helped shape its rise. “It all began with the Crown Prince, who introduced padel to the UAE in 2014. His influence was crucial in creating momentum,” Al Arif added.At first, padel was seen as a casual hobby. However, once players step onto the court, they tend to develop a deep connection with the sport. “The second someone tries padel, they often get hooked and keep coming back,” he explained.According to the International Padel Federation, there were 1,900 registered padel players in the UAE in 2023. It was also revealed that the Middle East is home to 30% of all padel courts in Asia, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia leading the count.“The greatest hurdle was simply getting players to try it,” Al Arif said. “But once they do, they’re usually in for good. More and more players are committing to serious training and competitive play, which is further propelling the sport’s growth.”Oversaturation or Opportunity?With hundreds of courts now operational in Dubai, some concerns have arisen regarding potential market saturation. But Arif believes the focus should be on the quality of venues rather than just the quantity.“The more courts we build, the more likely new players are to give it a try,” he said. “But a successful padel club is not just about the number of courts—it’s about the overall experience it delivers.”Clubs that provide structured training, foster a strong community, and offer additional features like recovery centers and premium food and beverage options are flourishing. “Looking at the past year, the top padel brands and companies have only expanded, despite claims that the market is overcrowded. That alone proves demand is still very much alive,” he emphasized.While some still wonder if padel’s rise is just a fleeting craze, Arif is confident that its momentum is built to last. “With consistent investment from both public and private sectors and a steady flow of new players entering the sport, its growth shows no sign of tapering off.”Padel has become increasingly woven into Dubai’s fitness and wellness culture. Its influence stretches far beyond casual entertainment—it’s part of the city’s daily life now.“The community here is incredibly diverse,” Arif said. “You’ll see locals playing alongside expats, with many participants coming from Europe and South America, where padel originally gained popularity. It’s a sport that truly brings people together—you’ll often find a child playing with a parent, or a mix of nationalities sharing the court.”Compared to other major cities known for padel, Arif places Dubai among the elite. “Dubai ranks among the top five cities globally for padel,” he said. “The city not only provides some of the finest facilities but also hosts major events like the World Cup, solidifying its position as a key hub in the international padel scene.”Earlier this week, the upcoming Nad Al Sheba Padel Championship was announced. The event, launching on Monday, is set to be the region’s largest sports tournament of its kind.The tournament will feature teams from across the globe, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran, Bahrain, Australia, and the Netherlands.Padel’s Early Days: Unknown and UnderestimatedThe sport’s appeal is driven by both its gameplay and its visibility through public figures. “Padel itself keeps people engaged, but influencers and celebrities have had a huge role in raising awareness,” Arif noted. “Once someone tries it, they immediately understand how engaging and enjoyable it is.”Famous athletes, from Cristiano Ronaldo to top NBA players and Formula 1 stars, have all been seen enjoying the sport, further boosting its popularity. “When fans see their favorite athletes playing padel, they’re curious to try it too,” he said.While some critics suggest that padel may be evolving into an elite pastime due to court rental and equipment costs, Arif insists that it remains accessible to the general public. “Every sport involves some level of investment—be it football, tennis, swimming, or golf. Padel is no different,” he pointed out. At its heart,