Full Breakdown
Disney Worldbuilders Documentary Highlights Disney’s First Middle-East Theme Park
8/5/2026, 5:08:06 PM
Documentary Overview
Disney Worldbuilders, a feature-length film directed by Oscar- and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Leslie Iwerks, offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Disney translates its screen franchises into immersive attractions. The documentary will debut at Disney’s D23 fan event on August 16 and arrive on Disney+ on August 20. It follows former Disney chief Bob Iger’s site visit to the future Yas Island resort and includes interviews with current Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro and creative leaders such as James Cameron, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, animator Pete Docter, “Disney Legend” Jon Favreau, and former chief creative officer Jennifer Lee.
Disneyland Abu Dhabi Development
Announced in May 2025, Disneyland Abu Dhabi is being built by Miral on Yas Island under Disney’s “capital-light” model: Miral funds, constructs, and operates the resort while Disney provides creative oversight and receives royalties. The park is slated to include themed accommodation, retail, dining and entertainment, and is described by Iger as “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati.” D’Amaro, in a shareholder-letter accompanying quarterly earnings, reaffirmed that the “strategic logic” of the project remains unchanged despite regional instability. He noted that design could take up to two years, followed by four-to-six years of construction, pointing to a possible opening in the 2030s.
Key Participants
- Bob Iger – former Disney chief executive, featured in the documentary’s trailer.
- Josh D’Amaro – Disney Experiences chairman, provides corporate perspective on the Abu Dhabi venture.
- Leslie Iwerks – director of Disney Worldbuilders, Oscar- and Emmy-nominated filmmaker.
- James Cameron, Kevin Feige, Pete Docter, Jon Favreau, Jennifer Lee – creative figures interviewed about translating stories into attractions.
Official Statements & Business Rationale
Iger emphasized the park’s dual identity, calling it “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati.” D’Amaro’s letter highlighted the long-term nature of major theme-park projects and asserted that the capital-light approach “has consistently benefited our business.” Both executives stress that the Abu Dhabi resort aligns with Disney’s broader expansion strategy, which also includes a new cruise ship partnership in Japan.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You have to dream big, you have to have a wild imagination,” — Bob Iger, former disney chief
- “I wanted to understand what ignites the imaginations of the storytellers behind some of the world's most beloved stories,” — Leslie Iwerks
