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Construction Update October 26, 2009
As far as I can see only one theme park, 'Restless Planet' in the 'City of Arabia', is going ahead in Dubailand. I saw the construction workers and I saw them working on the site of the future dinosaur theme park. So I guess - and hope - that this one is still going to happen. After all, the animatronic dinosaurs - stored in Japan since a couple of years - aren't getting any younger and are waiting for their Middle Eastern home! We might not see it before 2012, though.
The only addition to Universal Studios Dubailand since my last visit is the sand left behind from the scorching wind that washes over the desert site. However, some say the plan is to abandon the old site (this has already happened) and build the Universal theme park at a new location, closer to the city and the Dubailand sales centre. I couldn't find anything to confirm this, so it's just a rumor for now.
The cranes of F1-X theme park haven't moved since my last visit in May; it is still on hold. Given that there is a Formula 1-themed park called Ferrari World in the advanced stages of construction in close-by Abu Dhabi, this might actually be not a bad idea. New residential buildings are sprouting up here and there and the sales centre is still selling the old dream with the old deadlines that can't be met anymore. What happened to Dubailand?
Construction Update June 27, 2009
Unfortunately, the only news I can deliver from here is that the majority of the Dubailand billboards (which were everywhere on my last visit) have been removed and no visible construction of theme parks is underway.
The most likely survivors of Dubai’s very own crisis were Universal Studios Dubailand and the F1-X theme park. While construction of the former is currently not progressing, the latter was entirely put on hold by developer Union Properties due to lack of funding. As for Aqua Dunya, Restless Planet and Legends of Arabia – no signs of construction.
Dubailand, announced in 2003, could be on the way to becoming a bit of an unfortunate story. I hope this won't be the case: the idea of creating a massive theme-park city in the desert of the Middle East is bizarre and fantastic. Who knows what might happen but with construction in hibernation here, this ambitious plan might take some years to come about it’s realized. If anyone involved in one of the Dubailand projects reads this, I’d love to hear from you.
Construction Update October 25, 2008
DUBAILAND! It sounds so good. It is the place where I live at the moment (July 2008) and I have to tell you a story about it:
Dubailand was announced in October 2003. When I moved to Dubai in the spring of 2006, I discovered a great showroom in the desert displaying the planned theme parks on a giant, awesome model. Unfortunately, two years later I can’t see any sign of construction of roller coasters or water slides in the Dubailand area. New villas, apartments, film studios and a sports stadium are going up, but, apart from the amazing Universal Studios Dubailand (the desert has been flattened and prepared for construction here already), where are the theme parks?
Here are the incredible projects with July 2008 status updates:
• Aqua Dunya Water Park, announced in 2006, scheduled opening in 2009. Status: Desert
• City of Arabia Restless Planet, announced in 2005, scheduled opening in 2009. Status: Flat desert with a road
• Legends Dubailand Theme Park, announced in 2004, scheduled opening in 2008. Status: Desert with a showroom
• Falcon City of Wonders, announced in 2005, scheduled opening in 2008. Status: Villas under construction but no theme park
• Sunny Mountain Skidome, announced in 2004, scheduled opening was in 2006. Status: Desert
• Dreamworks Animation Park Dubailand, announced in 2007, scheduled opening in 2012. Status: Desert
• Paramount Pictures Park, announced in 2007, opening date not announced yet (smart!). Status: Desert
• Bawadi, announced in 2007, scheduled to opening in 2010. Status: Desert road with advertisements
• Six Flags Dubai, announced in 2008, scheduled opening in 2011. Status: Desert
• Universal Studios Dubailand, announced in spring 2007, scheduled opening in 2010. Status: under construction
I will love this gonzo concept of a theme park city, if it is ever built the way it appears in the Dubailand showroom. Dubailand is set to open its first phase in 2010.
I hope it will.
Universal Studios Dubailand has its own section on TheThemeParkGuy.com.
Construction Update June 30, 2008
Construction Update December 12, 2007
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