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Dubai / Abu Dhabi - Guide to Projects & Coasters


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Last Updated December 2016

Robb asked me to knock up a thread much like the China list for up and coming parks in Dubai. So here it is, Its been pretty confusing looking it all up but I think I got it right this time

Larrygator did set up a list in April which can be seen here.

 

Below is a list of current large scale projects in Dubai (and the rest of the UAE). If you think you've heard all this before you'd be right. But maybe they will have more luck the second time around. I've tried to be accurate but this was actually harder than China. At least China seem to build all theirs.

 

If I've missed off a few threads so if anyone has links or suggestions for more then please let me know.

 

Hopefully I can keep this up to date an accurate.

 

Dubai Parks & Resorts

 

Large resort development featuring four theme parks. Legoland and Bollywood are already open while Motiongate is due to open soon. Six Flags has started construction but isnt due to open for some time.

 

Bollywood Park Dubai Open

Serves as the world’s first theme park dedicated solely to the Indian film industry, Opened in 2016 and features a number of simulator rides but no coasters.

Thread: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=68936

 

Legoland Dubai Open

First Legoland park in the middle-east, and 7th Legoland branded park in the world. Opened in 2016 with the first indoor mini land and the usual selection of Lego themed rides/coasters

Thread: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=68936

 

Motiongate Open

Almost complete park with themed to movies, Contains many attractions from studios such as Dreamworks and Lionsgate. Coasters include Mack launched coaster, Mack indoor suspended, Indoor Launch coaster and outdoor Gerstlauer Bobsled.

Thread: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=68936

 

Six Flags Dubai

The second time a SF park has been announced for Dubai. Ground has been broken and concept art shows a number of large coasters all outdoors. Areas appear to be roughly themed to other Six Flags parks in the states with area names such as Great Adventure, Great America and Magic Mountain. 2018 opening date

Thread: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=67650

 

 

Ilyas & Mustafa Galadari Group

 

IMG Worlds Of Adventure Open

Huge indoor park with areas themed to among other Marvel and Cartoon Network, Completed in 2016 with Mack Blue Fire Clone, Indoor Mack Spinner and Indoor Eurofighter.

Thread: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=62964

 

IMG World Of Legends

The second park at IMG World. Although announced as a second gate the plans suggest it may be at least in part an expansion to the already open IMG World Of Adventure. Several new coasters show on the concept art and well over twice the size of the current park. Includes Pokemon and Ubisoft themed areas

Thread: www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1759233#p1759233

 

 

Individual Parks

 

Sea World Abu Dhabi

Like Six Flags this is the second time Sea World have announced a park in the UAE but this time the park is planned for YAS Island, home to Ferrari World and the under construction Warner Brothers park. Little known beyond a lack of Orcas and a more technology orientated park.

Projected to open in 2022

Thread: www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1760798#p1760798

 

20th Century FOX World

20th Century Fox World, Dubai, an immersive entertainment destination, will encompass themed lands featuring unique attractions, rides and retail outlets that will bring to life the studio’s iconic film and television franchises. Theme park consisting of themed lands and attractions based on Fox properties, including, Ice Age, Rio, Planet of the Apes, Aliens, Predator, Night at the Museum and Titanic, The Simpsons and Sons of Anarchy. A broad attraction mix, ranging from media-based dark rides to thrill rides that will tell new stories based on Fox film and television brands. A themed retail street featuring unique shopping and dining based on Fox properties. The world’s first Fox-themed resort hotel.

Projected opening has been delayed until 2020.

Thread: http://themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=71180

 

Warner Brothers Theme Park

Originally planned in 2007 but revived again recently. Planned to be built next to the YAS Island water park in Abu Dhabi. Has been positioned on YAS Island across from Ferrari World and is well into vertical construction. Plans show several indoor coasters.

Projected to open in 2018

Thread: themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=38978

 

 

Cancelled/On Hold

 

Universal Studios Dubai

Part of the famous Dubailand project that got canned when the economy took a nose dive. Offices and a big Universal gate were built but are now being torn down.

Thread: http://themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=35164

 

Sea World Dubai

Originally planned for a large Killer Whale shaped Island in Dubai but canned during the economic down turn. Rumours have it that this park has recently been reworked and is now planned for YAS Island in Abu Dhabi. Sea World did announce a new partnership out in the middle east recently so time will tell.

Thread: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=42137

 

Busch Gardens Dubai

Planned to go with the above Sea World. Suffered the same fate.

Thread: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=42137

 

Real Madrid Resort Island

Planned Football/Soccer themed park was yet another park that never saw the light of day and was officially cancelled in 2013 after the project’s organizer defaulted on payments.

Thread: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1160668#p1160668

 

Falcon City Of Wonders

Another casualty of the Dubailand fiasco. This one had a fancy model and then promptly vanished off the radar forever.

Thread: http://themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1380176#p1380176

 

F1X

Formula One theme park which even had the coaster track delivered to the site before stopping construction. The coaster track is still there in the desert although the Eurofighter ended up being built in Germany

Thread: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=990003

 

Mall Of The World

Huge indoor theme park at new mall which will feature a retractable roof for the winter months. Only news articles and concept art about it so far. No known rides yet.

As of 2016 this park has dropped off the face of the earth and plans now suggest a new development called Jumeirah Central will be built in its place.

Thread: No Thread Yet

Edited by larrygator
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A Bollywood park sounds awesome!

 

 

If this happens, it would be like a primo version of a park themed to Mexican Telenovela actresses.

 

Two random samples of what comes up in a google search for Bollywood actresses:

 

It should be cloned everywhere.

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Thanks Sea World for a timely reminder to update this thread as well

 

In a shocking twist the UAE managed to open three of the parks on the list this year. Only one of them fell into the failed list and two more have been announced while one slipped back two years to 2020. a 3 to 1 ratio is certainly better than previous years.

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^Thanks

I synced up the IMG parks together on the first page of this thread (and combined the two individual IMG threads)

I added the thread link for Warner Brothers

Since Motiongate is opening any day now, I listed it as Open

Edited by larrygator
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  • 11 months later...

Just got back from that part of the world: a birdie told me that IMG and DP&R are way behind on pay. I don't know if that's true and didn't ask anyone at either, but I can't say that I don't think it's possible. IMG has coin operated rides like you'd see outside grocery stores all over the place now and there's one of those electric powered trains that appears at sad malls rumbling around too. The Stark Steakhouse doesn't look like it's been open in months and several other food venues looked like they had been shuttered for awhile. The rides are generally running well though: I went in blind on Hulk and Avengers and was impressed with both. Velociraptor is a really stunning coaster; I'd rank it over Capitol Bullet Train or Flying Aces in a heart beat.

 

DP&R's Riverwalk Area probably has 50% vacancy with a lot of the majors there having closed in the year since opening (Cheesecake Factory, Shake Shack, et al). However, I loved those parks and I'll try not to spoil anything forthcoming. I'll say that as far as the Lionsgate stuff goes, I didn't think any of it was that special. Coaster's fine, the tunnel attraction is meh. But the rest of the place? Well, that's a different story.

 

Whoever it was that asked about crowds: Other than the water parks and select days at Ferrari World specifically at Formula Rossa only, you'll probably never encounter a wait greater than 10-15 minutes in the UAE.

Edited by robbalvey
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Just got back from that part of the world: a birdie told me that IMG and DP&R are way behind on pay. I don't know if that's true and didn't ask anyone at either, but I can't say that I don't think it's possible. IMG has coin operated rides like you'd see outside grocery stores all over the place now and there's one of those electric powered trains that appears at sad malls rumbling around too. The Stark Steakhouse doesn't look like it's been open in months and several other food venues looked like they had been shuttered for awhile. The rides are generally running well though: I went in blind on Hulk and Avengers and was impressed with both. Velociraptor is a really stunning coaster; I'd rank it over Capitol Bullet Train or Flying Aces in a heart beat.

 

DP&R's Riverwalk Area probably has 50% vacancy with a lot of the majors there having closed in the year since opening (Cheesecake Factory, Shake Shack, et al). However, I loved those parks and I'll try not to spoil anything forthcoming. I'll say that as far as the Lionsgate stuff goes, I didn't think any of it was that special. Coaster's fine, the tunnel attraction is meh. But the rest of the place? Well, that's a different story.

 

Whoever it was that asked about crowds: Other than the water parks and select days at Ferrari World specifically at Formula Rossa only, you'll probably never encounter a wait greater than 10-15 minutes in the UAE.

 

Wow! SO much incorrect information - really wish you talked to a few more people and got your facts straight before jumping to conclusions!

 

Not paying debts (including not paying staff) is a serious crime in the UAE and rumors like this (and that is nothing more then a rumor) should never be posted on public forums

 

Over at IMG, I give them some credit for their quick-response in installing those smaller "coin-operated" rides (which are free to use and have been there for almost a year now) and the mini-train. All done based on guest requests for in-park transportation and more things for their youngest guests to do. The park listened and delivered what guests wanted. Kudos to IMG!

 

While there are a decent number of vacancies still at Riverland - how has the Cheesecake Factory closed since it hasn't even had it's grand opening yet? The restaurant is still, technically, under construction as they are still finishing the work inside the restaurant before they open to resort guests.

 

The top attractions in the region definitely get hour-long waits. This is especially true during the holiday periods (Eid, National Day, etc) and periods that neighboring countries have extended time off. Even now, the "star" attractions at many of the parks are seeing 45-minute+ waits on Fridays and Saturdays.

Edited by robbalvey
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