Travelweekly has a good write up on Theme Parks and Attractions in Dubai
Dubai is aggressively targeting the family market and aims to topple Florida from its spot as the theme park capital of the world.
Development is centred around the massive Dubailand complex, with offerings from DreamWorks (in mid-2012), Six Flags (mid-2011), and Nickelodeon and Marvel Entertainment (late 2012/2013) on the cards, supported by more than 50 hotels planned for the Bawadi area.
Other future openings include Universal City by Universal Studios (late 2010), which will be one of the world’s largest theme parks, complete with 4,000 luxury hotel rooms, shopping facilities and 100 restaurants.
A three million square foot version of Legoland will open in late 2011, while Anheuser-Busch plans to open four theme parks, including a SeaWorld, and US film studios Paramount Pictures and Warner Brothers are also partnering with local developers
on theme park projects.
Other upcoming attractions include The Great Dubai Wheel, which will enable visitors to see for up to 50 kilometres; The Emirates Planetarium, which will include a 3-D theatre, laser shows, a planetarium, a museum and a hotel; and the Falcon City of Wonders (2009-12), which will feature replicas of the wonders of the ancient and modern worlds.
The emirate’s second Snow Dome will open at Dubailand next year.
Meanwhile, the massive shopping centre Dubai Mall, which opened on November 4 and is equal to the size of 50 football pitches, features the Sega Republic indoor theme park and the Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink.
The 19th (and some say most important) hole in The Tiger Woods Dubai project has been officially started:
The sub-structure of the clubhouse, including foundation, retaining walls and columns for its basement levels, are now complete and well on its way to welcoming members and visitors from late 2009.
In other news, I read that:
Most of the 11,000 trees required for the golf course have been procured, while approximately 350 mature trees have already been planted on the course.
Dubai is a truly exceptional city. With a perfect winter climate, top class hotels, superb facilities for sports and leisure activities and excellent shopping, Dubai has something to offer for everyone.
For a taste of old Dubai head to Deira; stroll around and take in the atmosphere at the bustling Gold and Spice Souks. From there, make your way to Bur Dubai, a historical part of the city where you will find Dubai Museum, Grand Mosque and Sheik Saeed Al-Marktoum’s House.
Jump aboard a traditional wooden Arabic Dhow; glide down the beautiful Dubai Creek and marvel at the ultra-modern skyline of Dubai today. In the evening, head to the Hilton Dubai Creek where you can enjoy an evening at Verre by Gordon Ramsey or sip martinis at Issimo Bar.
A great way to see all of this, is on the Dubai Hop-on Hop-off Tour; with 20 stops around the city and beach plus a free dhow cruise.
November sees the grand opening party at Atlantis The Palm, the first breathtaking hotel to open on The Palm Jumeirah. If you weren’t lucky enough to get an invite you can still experience the thrills of Aquadventure or meet the dolphins during your visit.
Our best selling sightseeing option, and excellent value for money, is the Sundowner Dune Dinner. During the tour you will speed across the sand dunes on a thrilling 4×4 ride and watch the sun set over the magical Arabian Desert. Relax in Bedu tents and feast on a barbecue whilst being entertained by belly dancers swaying to the sounds of Arabian music…
Short piece on Universal Studios Dubailand in the Orlando Sentinel:
The Universal Studios Dubailand under development in the United Arab Emirates will become the world’s first “air-conditioned theme park,” according to Tom Williams, chairman and chief executive officer of Orlando-based Universal Parks & Resorts, which is planning the resort. Universal noted that the park is being developed so that 80 percent to 90 percent of the guest experience will be in climate-controlled areas. It is expected to open in 2010 in the UAE boomtown of Dubai, where high temperatures can exceed 100 degrees all summer long. “We’re very excited about our new resort property in Dubai,” Williams told the Orlando Sentinel. “It will be the world’s first air-conditioned theme park and offers the guests the very best and pleasant outdoor experience the year-around.”
The long wait for the Stargate Theme Park is finally set to get over. The Dh280 million family edutainment facility, currently being built at the Zaabeel Park [map below], will open its doors for the public in March [2009], Dubai Municipality announced on Monday
The edutainment centre has been designed to mix education and family entertainment, covering an area of 260,000 square feet. It is being constructed in the form of a spaceship, created around two characters called Ajeeb and Gareeb, whose ship lands heavily in Zabeel Park.
The Tiger Woods Dubai Logo
Children from the ages of four to 14 will be most suited to the attraction, with the main displays spread across five ‘domes of fun’, including 3D games.
This includes high-speed electric Go-Karting, a family rollercoaster called ’spinning earth’ and virtual rides. Other attractions include the Children’s Academy, Bermuda Triangle of high-tech mazes and a ‘Space Mall’ designed for children.
In it’s attempt to be biggest in everything, developers in Dubai are now set to construct the world’s largest LED off of a commercial tower in the Majan district of Dubailand.
Tiger Woods has unveiled the master play for The Tiger Woods Dubai. It will be the first golf course designed by him, called Al-Ruwaya, will be a 7,800 yard, par 72, 18 hole course. The complex is being built on 55 million square feet of desert.
As well as the “State of the art” golf academy The Tiger Woods Dubai will also include a luxury boutique hotel as well as 22 palaces, 75 mansions and 100 villas. The complex is due for completion in 2009.
The latest project to appear on the horizon is Xeritown, an urban complex designed to work in harmony with the environment of the region through site specific and climate sensitive architecture and planning.
Latest news from The Plantation is that the $3.5 billion 20 million-square foot project in Dubailand once completed will have only eight per sent built up area. The other 92 per sent comprised of 800 stables, five polo fields and indoor area and a health club.
The built up area will comprise of a Southern Sun five star hotel and 500 hotel serviced apartments, the apartments named The Residences, will be based on Eaton Square in Belgravia, London.
The environmental impact of the project will be offset by the use of solar powered water pumps and an on site cooling plant. The cooling plant’s recycled water will also be used on the land.
The potential 800 horse community will provide an ample supplies of an alternative power source. “The horse manure will be pelleted and used as a cooking fuel for stove burners in Africa,”
Restless Planet, the City of Arabia development due to open at the end of 2010, located at the gateway of Dubailand, is planned to include the world largest collection of animatronic dinosaurs.
Designer Jack Rouse is currently working on Restless Planet, which will combine theatre, drama, a variety of themed rides, shows and art with an ‘edutainment’ theme.
Dr Jack Horner is also a member of the design team, and was the real life inspiration for the book ‘Jurassic Park’, who also served as scientific consultant to Spielberg on the three movies.
Over 100 animatronic creatures, some 50 feet (15 metres) tall combined with photo real, computer generated imaging, dioramas and a litany of special effects. The exterior of the Restless Planet will be a 74 metre tall dome and massive ‘cloud’ building.
Latest news from The Plantation is that the $3.5 billion 20 million-square foot project in Dubailand once completed will have only eight per sent built up area. The other 92 per sent comprised of 800 stables, five polo fields and indoor area and a health club.
