When Disney announced its plans for a new theme park in Abu Dhabi, the reaction online was swift, and, in many corners of the Disney fan community, sharply critical.

Many western Disney fans expressed concern about the company’s decision to expand into a country where the rights of LGBT+ people and women are restricted, questioning whether such a move aligns with the values of inclusion and acceptance that Disney Parks have come to represent.

I understand that reaction. Disney parks have always felt like a safe, joyful space. A place where everyone, regardless of who they are, is meant to feel welcome. For many, that emotional connection runs deep. So the idea of transplanting that magic into a destination where some fans may not even feel legally safe to exist is, understandably, unsettling.

One mans dream

For me personally, finally visiting Disneyland in California was a lifelong dream and one I didn’t achieve until my mid-thirties. But it was absolutely worth the wait. It was a life-changing experience that reignited something in me I thought I’d left behind. I don’t underestimate the power that a Disney park has to move us, to inspire us, and to make us feel like we belong.

And yet, I find myself reflecting on a broader truth, that Disney is a global brand. Its stories, characters, and songs have touched hearts in every corner of the world. There are children, families, and dreamers in all parts of the world who have grown up loving Disney just as much as any of us have and, for many, this new park might be the only chance they have to experience that magic in real life.

Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy

It’s also worth acknowledging that not everyone in a country is represented by its laws or leadership. There are undoubtedly people in the UAE who live with quiet courage, navigating complexities we may not fully understand from the outside. For them, Disney might be more than just escapism, it might be a rare moment of hope, of beauty, of something better. And that matters.

Of course, none of this means we should ignore or downplay human rights concerns. They’re real. But just as we hope the world becomes more accepting of us, we must also strive to approach different cultures with respect and curiosity, not just judgement.

I’ll be honest, I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable visiting the new park myself. And I fully support those who feel the need to speak out. But I also believe that creating joy and connection, especially in places where it’s needed most, is not something to dismiss lightly.

I’ve never been to Abu Dhabi. I don’t claim to be an expert. But I do believe that Disney magic can plant seeds of empathy and inspiration, even in unlikely places. And maybe, just maybe, this is one more step in a much longer journey toward a world where everyone is free to live their story.