Earlier this week, The Walt Disney Company and Miral announced the creation of Disneyland Abu Dhabi. This new theme park and resort in the United Arab Emirates promises to be the most technologically advanced Disney destination to date. It is also the first foray by Disney to build a theme park and resort in the Middle East. For many Disney fans, the United Arab Emirates and Abu Dhabi are simply a point on a map. Recently, Daps Magic shared 5 facts about Disneyland Abu Dhabi. Below are ten facts about the future home of Disneyland Abu Dhabi.
1. The Capital
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates, or territories. Abu Dhabi also happens to be the largest emirate in the federation.
2. The Land
The United Arab Emirates is almost entirely desert. This vast desert has been used as a filming location for multiple films, including Star Wars: The Force Awakens. There are also some mountains along with shoals, and islands along the coast of the UAE. It is one of these islands, Yas Island, where Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be built.
3. The Climate
It is no surprise that the UAE is a warm place to live and visit. In general, the country only gets 4 to 6 inches of rain per year. Average temperatures can range from 64°F in January to 91°F in July. During the summer, temperatures can reach as high as 115°F along the coast (where the new theme park/resort will be found) and 120°F or more in the desert. Winds blow in the midwinter and early summer from the north/northwest, bringing dust and sand.
4. The People
Surprisingly enough, only one-ninth of the population of the UAE is citizens. Most of the inhabitants are foreign workers and their families. The predominant groups come from South Asia. Arabs from other countries in the region account for another large part of the population.
5. The Language
For those who may want to visit Disneyland Abu Dhabi at some point, the question of language might be fairly important. The official language of the UAE is Arabic. However, English is also spoken widely.
6. The Religion
The predominant religion in the UAE is Islam. Of this, 4/5ths are the Sunni branch of the religion. Christians and Hindus are small but growing in the region as well.
7. The Economy
The main economic driver for the UAE is oil. This is produced mainly in Abu Dhabi, which also happens to be the richest emirate in the federation. The country has tried to diversify its economy by delving into the world of business, particularly in Dubai. There are also some efforts to develop manufacturing, along with some agriculture and fishing.
8. Tourism
Since the 1990s, tourism has been growing in the UAE. The government has encouraged major infrastructure projects, including the construction of accommodation and transportation systems, hotels, resorts, restaurants, and airport expansions to help grow and support the tourism industry. These updates, coupled with an earlier investment in transportation and communications, mean that the UAE is fairly advanced when it comes to travel and tourism.
9. The Labor
9/10ths of the labor in the UAE comes from outside the country. The work conditions can be harsh in some cases. Up until the beginning 21st century, workers were not allowed to organize. When this changed, some workers’ conditions were improved. Some of the changes included banning work during the midday hours in the summer and banning children from racing camels. While some laws were announced to allow for collective bargaining. The reality was that organizing and striking could lead to deportation. It wasn’t until 2017 that labor laws were passed that met the minimum standards of the International Labour Organization.
10. The Government
The government of the UAE is led by the Federal Supreme Council. This is a group of quasi-hereditary rulers of the seven emirates. The Supreme Council elects members of the council as the President and Vice-President for 5-year terms. The President appoints the Prime Minister and Cabinet. There is also a unicameral legislature called the Federal National Council. This is an advisory group made up of 40 members appointed by the individual emirates for two-year terms. The UAE uses a federal system of government, meaning any powers not assigned to the federal government by the constitution are held by the individual emirates. The laws for the UAE are based on Sharīʿah (Islamic law). In practice, they are a blend of Western and Islamic legal principles. The country does have public decency and morality laws. At the time of this writing, the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulate General are not aware of any recent arrests or prosecutions for consensual, same-sex relations and cross-dressing, although these are deemed illegal in the country. More information can be found on the State Department’s LGB Travel Information page and section six of the Human Rights report.
These are simply ten facts about Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates. While the opening of Disneyland Abu Dhabi is still several years off, Daps Magic will continue to share more information about the area, including what is needed and what should be known by those who visit. Hopefully, by the time this new theme park and resort opens, Disney fans from around the world will be more familiar with this destination.
