A few years ago, the Walt Disney Company threw a tantrum over Florida’s inaccurately nicknamed “Don’t Say Gay” law that bolstered parental rights in education.
Now, the entertainment behemoth is building its first new theme park in 15 years in — wait for it — Abu Dhabi, a city where homosexuality is illegal.
Turns out the bottom line matters!
Disney’s theme parks are performing well — the company reported they brought in $8.9 billion in the second quarter, but Disney shares have traded down 17.2% so far this year.
Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, where sexual activity between two men or two women is punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Also, trans-identifying people or a “male disguising as a female” can be criminally prosecuted and face up to a year in prison and fines.
The country’s laws reportedly originate with Sharia law.
“The Walt Disney Company and Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, announced an agreement to create a landmark Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates,” Disney said in an announcement Wednesday.
This new theme park resort in Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati – combing Disney’s iconic stories, characters and attractions with Abu Dhabi’s vibrant culture, stunning shorelines, and breathtaking architecture. ✨ https://t.co/M1GHeYgr4H #YasIsland… pic.twitter.com/IyjODlj9ar
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) May 7, 2025
“This seventh Disney theme park resort will combine Disney’s iconic stories, characters and attractions with Abu Dhabi’s vibrant culture, stunning shorelines, and breathtaking architecture,” Disney said.
Disney CEO Robert Iger called it a “thrilling moment for our company.”
Abu Dhabi’s “culture is rich with an appreciation of the arts and creativity,” Iger said, and “Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati.”
Disney also included a statement from Abu Dhabi’s chairman of its Department of Culture and Tourism, Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, who said the city is a place “where we preserve our past while designing the future.”
Back in 2022, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the state’s parental rights bill prohibiting classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade.
In response, Disney came out swinging against the law.
Disney’s CEO at the time, Bob Chapek, called DeSantis “to express our disappointment and concern that if the legislation becomes law, it could be used to unfairly target gay, lesbian, non-binary and transgender kids and families.”
Disney’s unusual decision to publicly oppose the law kicked off a years-long fight with Florida officials.
DeSantis went after Disney’s special tax district in Florida, which had allowed Disney to govern semi-independently since 1967.
Meanwhile, Disney has come under fire from parents in recent years for inserting LGBT themes in children’s movies, such as a gay kiss in the 2022 “Lightyear” film, which flopped at the box office.
