DubaiLand anyone?

DisBeamer · Post by **DisBeamer** » Apr Sat 19, 2008 4:49 am

Has anyone been reading/watching the stuff coming out about Dubailand? It looks spectacular.

This preview video (about 23 minutes long, but WELL worth watching) explains all the 'lands' they're planning for the 2 billion square foot theme park (though I'm using theme park is an extremely loosely - doesn't nearly begin to do it justice).

Video -> http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... land+video&

That Jurassic land looks incredible.

For those who haven't heard of it at all, to sum up: The current ruler of Dubai is building a theme park (really, it's basically a city) as a tourism destination. The city is supposed to be split up into 7 worlds, containing the following:

Seven Zones (Worlds)

* Attractions & Experience World 13 kmÂ² (5.2 mileÂ²)
o Six Flags Dubailand
o Paramount Studios Theme Park
o Universal Studios Dubai
o Tiger Woods Dubai
o Bawadi
o Falconcity of Wonders
o Fantasia
o Tourism world
o Legends of Dubailand
o Aviation World
o Islamic culture and Science World
o Global Village
o Kids City
o Giants World
o Water Parks
o Aquadunya
o Sahara Kingdom
o Dubai Snowdome, an indoor ski resort.
* Retail and Entertainment World 4 kmÂ² (1.6 mileÂ²)
o Flea Market
o World Trade Park
o Auction World
o Factory Outlets
* Themed Leisure and Vacation World 29 kmÂ² (11.2 mileÂ²)
o Women's World
o Destination Dubai
o Desert Kingdom
o Andalusian Resort and Spa
* Eco-Tourism World 75 kmÂ² (28.9 mileÂ²)
o Al Sahra Desert Resort
o Sand Dune Hotel
o Al Kaheel
* Sports and Outdoor World 19 kmÂ² (7.4 mileÂ²)
o Dubai Sports City
o Emerat Sports World
o Extreme Sports World
o Plantation Equestrian and Polo Club
o Dubai Autodrome
o Dubai Golf City
* Downtown 1.8 kmÂ² (0.7 mileÂ²)
o Mall of Arabia, which will be the world's largest shopping mall
o City Walk
o Restless Planet
o The Great Dubai Wheel
o Virtual Game World
* Science and Planetariums
o Space Academy

Only a few parts of it are open right now, and the projected completion date is around 2020, I think. Disney's the only 'big player' in the amusement/theme park industry not involved in it, apparently. (It's not on that list, but SeaWorld is involved in the water parks aspect, as I understand it.) I can't say as I'd ever considered visiting Dubai, but if this thing comes off the way they're planning it, I'm gonna have to go.

Cheshire Cat · Post by **Cheshire Cat** » Apr Sat 19, 2008 6:58 am

I'm having trouble concentrating over all the Disney music..."The Egg Travels, 12 Years Later"

It looks like it's going to be a cross between what WDW should have been and Las Vegas. It doesn't even look possible. Is this really going to be real? A lot of the video clips are from already existing amusement parks

. Is the video even legal, if this is real?

Either way, this is something Walt would have loved. If it is real, it's going to be Walt's greatest dream accomplished, even greater than he had hoped for.

DisBeamer · Post by **DisBeamer** » Apr Sat 19, 2008 7:27 am

It's definitely real; some parts of it are already open.

Nabbed from wiki because it's easiest:

A few of Dubailand's attractions are operational such as Dubai Autodrome, The Global Village and more recently the Al Sahra Desert Resort. Located in the eco-tourism section of Dubailand, the Al Sahra Desert Resort (official opening: November 2006) is home of Dubai's first permanent outdoor show - 'Jumana - Secret of the Desert - a show celebrating the Arabian region's rich history and culture, translating folklore themes from Persia, the Maghreb, the Levant, the Gulf region, Oman and Yemen into a spellbinding fantasy. Performed in an imposing open-air amphitheatre, the show incorporates various imagistic theatre techniques such as sound, laser and water effects, pyrotechnics and fireworks; 60 dancers and acrobats, camels and horses, complement the cast; Omar Sharif is the voice of the narrator. Al Sahra also offers a traditional crafts souk and various attractions such as camel treks, horse rides, donkey-cart rides to enjoy in the dunescape.

I've heard they've already built the indoor ski hill as well. The official site/company line is here. http://www.dubailand.ae/ It has some more information on the companies involved and such, and a map showing what's built already and what's planned.

Whether or not they'll really accomplish all they're planning there is another question, of course. I wondered about the 'stolen' clips too, but I'm guessing they picked those to use because the companies that own those parks are involved (Six Flags, Paramount, etc)? There's a recent Reuter's story about Six Flags being on board. The official Dubailand website seems to be pretty excited about that.

Cheshire Cat · Post by **Cheshire Cat** » Apr Sat 19, 2008 7:39 am

There were some Disney clips in there too though. (Gadget's Go-Coaster and HIStA off the top of my head) I guess the idea is just so ambitious and so similar to EPCOT that it's hard for me to believe that it is finally going to happen. Whoever is in charge of this is almost definitely influenced by Disney.

DisBeamer · Post by **DisBeamer** » Apr Sat 19, 2008 7:52 am

Ahh, I didn't see the Gadget/Hista stuff (I was watching at work and not paying full attention to the video - I shall watch again). Interesting. Maybe they were wooing Disney at one point (or still are). Or trying to get sued.

I agree the Disney influence is obvious (and blatant, in the case of the Global Village, most especially). That's part of what I think is so fascinating about it - Walt's dream being realized at long last, though unfortunately not by his own company. On the one hand, I kind of hope they do it because it would be a remarkable thing to see. On the other hand, it's kind of depressing that someone is (maybe) going to create the ultimate out-Disneying of Disney.

Cheshire Cat · Post by **Cheshire Cat** » Apr Sat 19, 2008 12:37 pm

Yeah, this would completely wipe Disney off the map. (If Harry Potter doesn't do it first)

Croaker · Post by **Croaker** » Apr Mon 21, 2008 3:30 am

Dubailand...no thanks...not even if they offered free dining.

Conspiracy Theory Time. gather the rich together, Nuke it. brilliant idea! perhaps we can topple some global economies.

RREng77 · Post by **RREng77** » Apr Thu 24, 2008 9:20 pm

They could really capitalize on licensing and just call it "Desert Disney." That appears to be their goal.

Breton · Post by **Breton** » Apr Sun 27, 2008 1:25 pm

Disney needs to be involved! This would be a goldmine for Disney as fast as this area is growing.

Captain Schnemo · Post by **Captain Schnemo** » Apr Sun 27, 2008 2:19 pm

It does look pretty impressive, although I don't care about all the shopping. The museums, science, and eco stuff all look great.

Those guys don't spare any expense and really know how to do things right, just like some dead guy whose name is on a few theme parks I've heard about...

I have a friend from the UAE, so I might have to follow him home one of these days. Anyone know where I can get a Canadian passport?

skull · Post by **skull** » Apr Mon 28, 2008 8:45 am

at the canadian passport office?

This looks like it would be an awesome vacation spot when it's all done...

Post by **Dr. Ravenscroft** » Apr Mon 28, 2008 11:33 am

It seems to be all about gimmicks and shopping which nether of them appeal to me. Granted it could be as great as Disneyland is but only time will tell. The only other thing I have to say is............Ohhhhhhhhhhhh thats were my $3.55 a gallon is going...........

JWG · Post by **JWG** » Apr Mon 28, 2008 1:58 pm

Until the $$ has some value I don't know that this is an effective idea.
Looks neat though.

If Disney takes 7-10 days to do, do I have go there for a month just to feel like I rushed through everything?

natatomic · Post by **natatomic** » May Sat 03, 2008 8:24 pm

Croaker wrote:Dubailand...no thanks...not even if they offered free dining.

Conspiracy Theory Time. gather the rich together, Nuke it. brilliant idea! perhaps we can topple some global economies.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who is a bit wary of Dubai. It just seems to be where EVERYthing is going nowadays. Like, it's headed for world-domination or something. Scary stuff, man.

I'm sure I'm just being paranoid or something. At least, let's HOPE that all it is.

figment34786 · Post by **figment34786** » May Sun 04, 2008 9:57 am

Something seems fishy about this whole Dubailand thing to me...

And why were there so many Disney rides shown? They WILL get sued. Just wait...