Since the announcement that Disneyland Abu Dhabi is in development, fans worldwide have celebrated the news. Those in the UAE are particularly excited about the first Disney theme park in the Middle East. It is set to be on Yas Island with an estimated opening date in the early 2030s.
Speaking to The National, five fans outline how the Disney universe is more than just an entertainment brand to them, as the films have had a lasting impact throughout their adult lives, and the theme parks around the world have become bucket-list travel destinations.
Here, enthusiasts share what they love about Disney and their hopes for the new attraction.
Sahar Rasti, ship captain, Dubai
Sahar Rasti's incredible professional achievements are well-documented. As the UAE's first female ship captain and founder and chief executive of SJR Group, she is involved in the maritime sector, which takes her across the Middle East. But even busy ship captains need shore leave, and one of Rasti's favourite ways to unwind is with Disney.
“While my work often revolves around serious topics, Disney has always been the joyful, emotional part of my life that brings me pure happiness,” she says, calling the brand “close to my heart”.
“My love for Disney started in childhood with Mickey, Minnie and Cinderella,” she says. “I’ve always loved how Mickey treats Minnie with gentleness and love – now it reminds me of how my husband treats me. And Cinderella has always been my symbol of dreams. She gave me hope and courage as a young girl. Becoming the first female ship captain in the UAE was my own Cinderella story in many ways.”
Rasti has visited every Disney theme park except Tokyo Disneyland, which is on her list. “Each park has its own soul, but all of them gave me priceless family memories,” she says. “My husband used to laugh and say that if Disney ever opens in the UAE, I should work there, because he saw how deeply I love it.”
She has always dreamt of a Disney park being built in Abu Dhabi. “I'm looking forward to the shows, rides and, most importantly, seeing families from here experience what I felt growing up,” she says.
“It’s not just about nostalgia; it’s about energy, joy and that spark of a dream that I still feel as a mother of three. The magic of Disney means believing in something greater. It’s about keeping the dream alive. Even when life gets hard, Disney reminds me to hold on to imagination, love and kindness. It makes me feel alive.”
Tahnoon Al Qubaisi, student, Abu Dhabi
“Disney is my childhood,” says Tahnoon Al Qubaisi, a student at Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches. “Growing up in Abu Dhabi, I remember watching shows like Zack and Cody and Good Luck Charlie on the Disney Channel. At three or four years old, I watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and dreamt of visiting Disneyland.”
That dream came true in 2013 when Qubaisi was 10, thanks to a family holiday to Disneyland Paris which he recalls as “an amazing experience”.
“There's nostalgia with Disney, because it was magical in childhood and that feeling never left me. Films like Moana and Lilo & Stitch carry deep messages of identity, family and courage, and continue to resonate now as each generation discovers the stories.”
For Al Qubaisi, the announcement that Emirati culture will be integral to the park is what makes the development so exciting.
“By aligning the culture of the Emirates, Disney will do an amazing job showcasing our identity, landscape, values and storytelling,” he says. “Disney will show the world that Abu Dhabi is a hub of innovation, proving that we are not just consumers of global culture, but also pioneers in shaping it.”
Rafeez Ahmed, content creator, Dubai
As soon as the announcement about the new park was made, food and travel content creator Rafeez Ahmed took to Instagram to share his excitement about Disney coming to the Middle East with his 214,000 followers.
“I grew up watching the cartoons and have been to three out of the six parks so far,” he says.
“My first experience was as a kid. My family took me to Disneyland Resort in California and I was fascinated by the characters. Two years ago, I went to Hong Kong Disneyland on a solo trip, and four months ago, I went to Japan with my wife, and we visited Tokyo Disney Resort. The next park we visit will probably be the Abu Dhabi one because anything the UAE does is bigger and better.”
Ahmed says he is looking forward to seeing how Emirati culture is incorporated into the park, saying this will make for a “unique experience”.
“I know I’ll enjoy everything about it,” he says. “It’s not just about the rides, but also the space itself, the characters and the whole experience.”
Caitlin Rose, musical theatre instructor, Sharjah
As an instructor at Sharjah Performing Arts Academy, Caitlin Rose was proud to see a group of her students performing at the Disneyland Abu Dhabi announcement event, where they sang a medley of songs written by Disney for Miral, the development group behind the project.
“I’ve been to the parks in the US and Hong Kong, and love that I can get immersed in an entirely different world there,” says the Ohio native who has lived in Sharjah for eight years. “I always find myself lighter, happier and more connected to my inner child.”
Rose believes the development will create opportunities for her students, in performing arts, production, design, costume, lighting and sound. “A lot of my students audition for performing jobs on cruises and theme parks, so it would be incredible if the new park looks at local talent,” she says.
“I have students who sing Disney songs in English and Arabic, which is beautiful to hear. I think for them to see their culture and language embraced on the global stage with a company like Disney will be incredible for performing arts in the region.”
Sally Elazab, lifestyle and travel content creator, Abu Dhabi
Sally Elazab, who documents her global travel adventures to her 381,000 followers on Instagram, thought she was attending an event to celebrate 15 years of Yas Island. However, it turned out to be the reveal of Disneyland Abu Dhabi.
“It was a huge surprise, I was thrilled,” she says. “It's a dream come true for Disney to open in the Middle East. Since I was young, Disney has been part of my life, and I have always watched the movies and cartoons, read the books and have a lot of memorabilia at home.”
She has passed on her passion for all things Disney to her 10-year-old twin sons, Qusai and Ahmed. The content creator and blogger names Mickey, Minnie, Donald Duck and Goofy as her favourite characters.
Even though Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be a few years in the making, Elazab is already planning to invest in annual passes for the Yas Island park, which is 30 minutes from her home.
“Disneyland coming to the Middle East represents how the region is moving forward,” she says. “There’s always a cultural twist in the parks around the world, and here we will have Emirati culture at the forefront. It is such huge news, honestly, I feel really proud.”
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Serbia 1
Kolarov (56')
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
How green is the expo nursery?
Some 400,000 shrubs and 13,000 trees in the on-site nursery
An additional 450,000 shrubs and 4,000 trees to be delivered in the months leading up to the expo
Ghaf, date palm, acacia arabica, acacia tortilis, vitex or sage, techoma and the salvadora are just some heat tolerant native plants in the nursery
Approximately 340 species of shrubs and trees selected for diverse landscape
The nursery team works exclusively with organic fertilisers and pesticides
All shrubs and trees supplied by Dubai Municipality
Most sourced from farms, nurseries across the country
Plants and trees are re-potted when they arrive at nursery to give them room to grow
Some mature trees are in open areas or planted within the expo site
Green waste is recycled as compost
Treated sewage effluent supplied by Dubai Municipality is used to meet the majority of the nursery’s irrigation needs
Construction workforce peaked at 40,000 workers
About 65,000 people have signed up to volunteer
Main themes of expo is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and three subthemes of opportunity, mobility and sustainability.
Expo 2020 Dubai to open in October 2020 and run for six months
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
More from UAE Human Development Report:
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021
Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.
Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.
Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.
Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.
Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.
Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.
Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”
Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI.
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
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US tops drug cost charts
The study of 13 essential drugs showed costs in the United States were about 300 per cent higher than the global average, followed by Germany at 126 per cent and 122 per cent in the UAE.
Thailand, Kenya and Malaysia were rated as nations with the lowest costs, about 90 per cent cheaper.
In the case of insulin, diabetic patients in the US paid five and a half times the global average, while in the UAE the costs are about 50 per cent higher than the median price of branded and generic drugs.
Some of the costliest drugs worldwide include Lipitor for high cholesterol.
The study’s price index placed the US at an exorbitant 2,170 per cent higher for Lipitor than the average global price and the UAE at the eighth spot globally with costs 252 per cent higher.
High blood pressure medication Zestril was also more than 2,680 per cent higher in the US and the UAE price was 187 per cent higher than the global price.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Pupils in Abu Dhabi are learning the importance of being active, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle now and throughout adulthood, thanks to a newly launched programme 'Healthy Lifestyle'.
As part of the Healthy Lifestyle programme, specially trained coaches from City Football Schools, along with Healthpoint physicians have visited schools throughout Abu Dhabi to give fun and interactive lessons on working out regularly, making the right food choices, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, just like their favourite footballers.
Organised by Manchester City FC and Healthpoint, Manchester City FC’s regional healthcare partner and part of Mubadala’s healthcare network, the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ programme will visit 15 schools, meeting around 1,000 youngsters over the next five months.
Designed to give pupils all the information they need to improve their diet and fitness habits at home, at school and as they grow up, coaches from City Football Schools will work alongside teachers to lead the youngsters through a series of fun, creative and educational classes as well as activities, including playing football and other games.
Dr Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, head of public health at Healthpoint, said: “The programme has different aspects - diet, exercise, sleep and mental well-being. By having a focus on each of those and delivering information in a way that children can absorb easily it can help to address childhood obesity."
Armies of Sand
By Kenneth Pollack (Oxford University Press)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
'Saand Ki Aankh'
Produced by: Reliance Entertainment with Chalk and Cheese Films
Director: Tushar Hiranandani
Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Bhumi Pednekar, Prakash Jha, Vineet Singh
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
TICKETS
For tickets for the two-day Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) event, entitled Dubai Invasion 2019, on September 27 and 28 go to www.meraticket.com.
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs – Taycan 4S
Engine: Electric
Transmission: 2-speed auto
Power: 571bhp
Torque: 650Nm
Price: Dh431,800
Specs – Panamera
Engine: 3-litre V6 with 100kW electric motor
Transmission: 2-speed auto
Power: 455bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: from Dh431,800
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm)
Burnley v Huddersfield Town (7pm)
Everton v Bournemouth (7pm)
Manchester City v Crystal Palace (7pm)
Southampton v Manchester United (7pm)
Stoke City v Chelsea (7pm)
Swansea City v Watford (7pm)
Leicester City v Liverpool (8.30pm)
Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Newcastle United (7pm)
Monday
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion (11pm)
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
