Credit: DisneyWhen Disney CEO Bob Iger announced the company’s new park in the United Arab Emirates, he said it would be “the most technologically advanced theme park that we’ve ever built.” For Disney’s seventh theme park, Iger also confirmed that the castle in the concept art will be Disney’s first “modern castle” ever built.
With Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, footing the bill for construction, Disney only providing the intellectual property, and Disney Imagineering providing the oversite and creative design, fans were enthusiastic about what the new park could hold.
Disney announced this week that Imagineering’s chief creative officer, Bruce Vaughn, and senior Creative Executive, Tom Fitzgerald, will oversee the project. However, Imagineer Zach Riddley will oversee most of the on-the-ground work. To solidify Riddley’s role in the project, he was promoted to senior vice president of global creative strategy for Imagineering.
Both Vaughn and Fitzgerald have over 30 years of experience in Imagineering, but Disney fans find the appointment of Riddley slightly concerning. As Forbes reports, Riddley oversaw the complete overhaul of EPCOT.
Forbes reports that Ridley “was the single accountable leader for the project, including master planning, story, concept, detailed design, delivery, and construction elements.” He took over the project in 2017 and finished it last year because of the delays caused by the pandemic.
Initially, the overhaul of EPCOT was on a grand scale, including a complete overhaul of Spaceship Earth and the addition of a Mary Poppins attraction in the United Kingdom pavilion. Those two projects were canceled after the pandemic, but the remaining projects that had already started continued.
There were some great projects under Riddley’s watch, including Disney World’s best roller coaster, Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind, and Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana. However, amongst Disney fans, there was a general sense of disappointment with the World Celebration update.
Many guests found that Communicore Hall and Plaza were underwhelming, and removing the Fountains of Nations broke what guests believed the park’s center should be.
However, with Miral’s money, Riddley should be able to do far more than he could under Disney’s financial constraints at EPCOT. Perhaps Disney fans’ worries will soon be put to rest.
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