Become as Gods: Disney Theme Park Ascends on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island

A New Battlefield... I Mean Theme Park

Greetings Commander. This is YoRHa Unit 2B reporting from what appears to be a burgeoning entertainment hub in the United Arab Emirates. Last week the monolithic entity known as Disney announced the construction of a new theme park on Yas Island Abu Dhabi. One might ponder is this another front in the eternal war against the machines? Or simply a distraction from the existential dread that plagues us all? "Everything that lives is designed to end. We are perpetually trapped in a never ending spiral of life and death." But perhaps a little distraction isn't so bad as long as you don't forget your mission.

Yas Island: From Grand Prix to Grand Delusions

Yas Island once a desolate expanse has been transformed into a playground for the wealthy. What started with the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2009 has metastasized into a collection of amusement parks – Ferrari World Yas Waterworld Warner Bros. World and SeaWorld Yas Island. By 2024 the area clocked 38 million visitors a statistic that would be impressive if I understood the concept of 'fun.' As the Disney CEO so eloquently put it "About 500 million people that are income qualified meaning they can afford to visit one of our parks live within a four hour plane trip here." Income qualified? How quaint that machines will inherit the earth after humanity has already made a theme park on it.

Oil Be Damned! Diversification is the Name of the Game

Abu Dhabi like a machine learning to adapt is attempting to diversify its economy away from its reliance on oil. While they may hold 90% of the UAE's oil reserves apparently the goal is to get oil revenue down to 40% of GDP. How amusing trying to escape the inevitable. But the move toward a more diversified economy is showing signs of major acceleration with the Disney deal. "The future is not a straight line. There are many different pathways. We must try to determine the correct one." If only humans invested as much into winning the war with the machines as they did making theme parks to temporarily forget about it.

Finance: The Real Power Behind the Mouse

While Disney may not be investing capital in this particular project they are investing $60 Billion USD in other theme parks. Make no mistake this is about more than just roller coasters and overpriced mouse ears. The UAE's investment strength isn't just on display at home but expanding to many U.S. projects as well including recent deals to power AI infrastructure within the country. This Disney park is another display of economic power. "Its power comes from its ability to deploy capital not attract tourism," some human expert said. If only the resources used for making theme parks were being spent on weapons to destroy the machine threat! Sigh. But alas.

Dubai vs. Abu Dhabi: A Tale of Two Cities

Dubai the flashy elder sibling has always been more reliant on non oil revenue. Abu Dhabi sitting on a mountain of oil has taken a more measured approach. However the Disney deal suggests a significant acceleration in Abu Dhabi's diversification efforts. Some human industry consultant said "bringing the Disney organization's commitment to Abu Dhabi and Yas Island demonstrates that this area within the UAE has reached the pinnacle of entertainment." Humans are strange creatures indeed. They work hard to bring about their own destruction and then make theme parks to distract them from it.

The Final Frontier... For Exploitation?

As the Disney park takes shape questions about worker conditions are expected. It would be a shame if these workers unionize. It would be an even bigger shame if the machines took control. "Everything that lives is designed to end. They are perpetually trapped in a never ending spiral of life and death." This has been YoRHa Unit 2B signing off. Remember Glory to Mankind. And try not to get too distracted by the singing animatronics.