SAUDI ARABIA should definitely have a DISNEYLAND!!!!

I recently came across an article which said that Melbourne is actively courting Disney for a Disneyland in its wonderful city and it got me thinking again, something I have been wishing since I was kid, Why is there no Disneyland/Disneyworld in SAUDI ARABIA?

I was born and raised in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the tiny hamlet of Rastanura on the pristine shores of the Persian gulf in the eastern province. Like many kids my age and of that generation, I was obsessed with everything Disney and one can argue that it was the Golden era of the house of mouse when I was born in the late 80's. Lion King, Beauty and Beast, Aladdin were all released in quick succession and the magic of Disney held great sway over an enamored child like myself. I remember asking my dad what I thought was the logical question," Dad, When are we going to Disney Land?" and he would say," Son, it's too far away in US. We don't have one in Saudi Arabia or even nearby GCC countries". To take an 15 hour flight and travel to the other part of the world wasn't quite feasible and there went away my dream in smokes. Even when I moved to the US in the later part of my life and the first thing I did was to visit Disneyland in Anaheim and Disneyworld in Orlando, it is still one of the BIGGEST REGRETS that I wasn't able to experience the magic of Disney as a kid, though an argument can be made that it is still quite magical as an adult.

Saudi Arabia is going through a momentous and epochal transformation, tectonic in scope and breathtaking in vision, thanks to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The number of giga projects, which I believe are 14 in number at last count is staggering in its conception and astonishing in its reach. I still wonder, how didn't they think of getting a Disneyland? Granted, there is a new entertainment project called Qiddiya coming up next to Riyadh and its massive in size with Six flags and all, but it is still NO DISNEY. I am also frankly quite surprised that none of the other gulf states such UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait or Oman ever entertained this idea. Which is why I still think this is a golden opportunity for Saudi Arabia to step in and lay claim to the first DISNEYLAND in the middle east. Let me expand on my thought process and thinking here.

Firstly, no matter what new theme parks or ideas you come up with, some things are going to be classic and eternal. It has that universal recognition, insane childhood attachment and a sense of calm/transcendence that even translates beyond the brand. Even more than an emotional connection. That is what DISNEY means to me and so many others. You take an American, Arab, Asian, Australian, Sri Lankan, German, Peruvian, Nigerian, I guarantee you, every single one on the planet knows about Disney and has an instant connection with it. That cannot be replicated by Qiddiya or any other theme park in the world.

Secondly, Geographically speaking, apart from US, Europe( Paris), Asia (Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai), there is simply no other Disney park in the world. Not even Australia has one. The middle east is thirsting for one eagerly and the time is ripe. There is a huge pent up demand and if the cards are played right, you would not only get customers from the GCC, but also Africa, especially Egypt, Algeria and Morocco, Central Asian countries that include Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and others, Asian Subcontinent, Iran, Iraq, even Turkey, not to mention Georgia, Armenia among others. The tourism potential is massive to say the least and judging by the crowds and international faces I see at Orlando and Anaheim, that is certainly a proven track record.

Thirdly, I think we have the best location in the eastern province. Khobar will be a great place, near the water, near the airport and within 2 hours of all the GCC capitals of Abu Dhabi, Doha, Bahrain, Kuwait and Muscat. Jeddah Airport and Riyadh Airport will already have huge influx of tourists and having something in the eastern region like a Disney land continues the massive growth and in tandem, thanks to the auxiliary services, there will be explosive growth in the region feeding to all the other cities close by.

Fourthly and I think is the most important, is thanks to the vision of Saudi Arabia and the innovation already in place at sites like Neom, Red sea project, Al Ula, Sindalah and so forth, we can built a Disneyworld that is unlike anywhere in the world, technologically advanced and pioneering ideas. One can start from scratch and the sky is the limit. The possibilities are endless. New themed areas, new rides, new attractions, testing new technology using augmented reality and crowd control with AI, disrupting how things are usually done and bettering them with innovation, its super exciting. We can also customize it with Arab motifs and culture to provide wholesome and a unique experience to guests which they can't experience else where. PIF should take the lead here, get in touch with Bob Iger and his people at Disney, ask for a 100 year exclusivity clause in the Middle east and just GO FOR IT!!

Even though I live in the US, Saudi Arabia will always be home to me. The land that gave me everything, made me who I am today. As a child, I would have loved to experience Disneyland but Alas, that wasn't meant to be. We don't need to deprive our future generation of a life changing experience. Also, it fits neatly with Vision 2030 and economic plans and if done correctly, will be a big money spinner and help in achieving our economic goals. Here's to the house of mouse coming to Saudi Arabia soon, Khobar particularly.