Expo City Dubai‘s Winter City is partnering with Disney+ for its fifth edition this December, bringing themed zones inspired by some of the streaming platform’s most recognisable properties to the event’s established festive programme.
Running from December 11 to 31 under Al Wasl Season, the event will feature dedicated experiences drawn from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen, Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story, 20th Century Studios’ Home Alone and Marvel Studios, alongside returning fixtures including snow falling beneath Al Wasl Dome, meet-and-greets with Santa and Mrs Claus, and projection shows across the dome’s exterior.
The collaboration is built around the theme ‘Once upon a holiday…’, a nod to the storytelling conventions of the franchises involved.
“Winter City has always been our happy place. It’s where families come together, and, for a few hours, everyone becomes a child again. This year, we’re adding a whole new chapter. With Disney+, families can journey from the world of Walt Disney Animation Studio’s Frozen to Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story, 20th Century Studios’ Home Alone and Marvel Studios, while still enjoying everything they love about Winter City. We wanted to create a place where the magic of the holidays and the stories we love can exist side by side, and where families leave with a story that belongs entirely to them. What excites me most is that every family will experience Winter City differently. They might arrive for a favourite story and find something entirely new along the way. That’s the spirit behind ‘Once upon a holiday…’, we don’t just want our visitors to watch the story, we want them to be part of it,” Amna Abulhoul, Executive Creative Director – Events and Experiences at Expo City Dubai said in a statement.
“Disney+ has always been a place where families and loved ones come together, sharing stories that resonate across generations. This holiday season, we’re thrilled to bring that feeling beyond the screen and into the heart of Winter City, creating a holiday destination where audiences can step into the worlds and stories they love. From immersive Disney+ experiences and activations to magical moments under the iconic Wasl Dome, this collaboration is about celebrating the joy of coming together and bringing the beloved stories of Disney+ to life in a whole new way. ‘Once upon a holiday…’ gives this year’s Winter City a spirited twist on the timeless introduction phrase so many great stories, one that immediately sparks the imagination of children as familiar worlds and new escapades come together. There’s much more in store. From festive music and specially curated F&B to special touches throughout Winter City, more surprises will be revealed as opening day draws closer,” Tamim Fares, Director, Disney+ Middle East added.
Curated food and beverage, festive music and additional activations are planned, with further details to be announced closer to opening day.
