S3 E18: Developing Disney Abu Dhabi
Episode description
With the announcement of Disney’s first-ever theme park in the Middle East, Imagineering faces a rare opportunity: building a brand-new Disney destination from the ground up. But what does it really mean to design a park for an entirely new audience—one shaped by different cultural norms, expectations, and stories?
In this episode, Stephen takes the lead as Project Manager to explore what Disney Abu Dhabi could become. From blending beloved IP like Aladdin into a culturally respectful and fully immersive Agrabah land, to reimagining how Disney parks can evolve beyond a Western lens, we’re diving into the big questions. Plus, we don’t shy away from the complexities—addressing the valid concerns surrounding labor practices, human rights, and the broader ethical considerations of a project of this scale.
Joined by Amanda and Jenny, the Idiots dig into the stories that might shape this seventh Disney resort, the innovations that could set it apart, and what it means to imagine something completely new in a region just beginning its Disney chapter.
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