Hong Kong is home to a world class Disneyland since 2005, but already since 1977 a sizeable themed park with a much more unique character can be visited on Hong Kong Island.

Ocean Park is an intriguing mix of questionable beginnings, absolute glory years in performance and growing financial struggles that almost lead to foreclosure. Still, until this day, the park sits proudly on the slopes of the mountains. Multiple capital injections have transformed the park over time and big plans are again forged for the future.

The local government betted on the Disney project big time, but does this mean that Ocean Park drew the short stick? It cannot be denied that Ocean Park breathes more local culture than its counterpart from the US, but is that enough to stand the test of time?

In this episode we describe the park’s history, but we especially analyse what is on offer now.

▻ Check www.triponpodcast.com

▻ Follow us on Instagram

▻ Listen to us on Apple Podcasts

▻ Listen to us on Spotify

▻ Listen to us on Audible

The UAE isn’t shy of big announcements; Universal Studios, Six Flags, 20th Century Fox and several other themed parks never saw the light of day. So what makes this time different?

There are real-world challenges not to be overlooked: the heat, the sun, and the speculation around whether a full-scale theme park can thrive year-round in the hot desert. Clearly not a place to repeat what has been done elsewhere, so the perfect occasion for innovation and progress?

We're exploring what’s possible, what should be considered and what remarkable scenario could unfold in the future.

▻ Check www.triponpodcast.com

▻ Follow us on Instagram

▻ Listen to us on Apple Podcasts

▻ Listen to us on Spotify

▻ Listen to us on Audible

Big news has dropped, Disneyland is coming to Abu Dhabi’s YAS Island, enforced by an agreement between Miral and Disney. The often rumoured 7th Disney resort has finally found its place in the desert.

Why did Disney choose the Middle East now, and what do they see in the region that has convinced them to develop a new resort and continue their legacy in the United Arab Emirates? Above all, what is Miral? What is YAS Island?

Does this signal a business decision or something bigger? Could it signal a cultural shift, a new kind of storytelling frontier, or even a reimagining of how global brands engage with the Arab world?

Of course, with opportunity comes controversy. How will Disney navigate the complex social, political, and cultural landscape of the region?

In this episode, we unpack the layers behind the headline: the motivations, the implications and the questions that should be asked.

▻ Check www.triponpodcast.com

▻ Follow us on Instagram

▻ Listen to us on Apple Podcasts

▻ Listen to us on Spotify

▻ Listen to us on Audible