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Construction Update May 05, 2009
Unfortunately, construction of Universal Studios Dubailand is currently not progressing. It appears construction came to a stop shortly after a huge number of employees were made redundant at the end of last year. A 15-minute walk through the desert starting from Dubai Outlet City Mall reveals that there are no cranes, no workers, no activity: the site looks pretty much the same as in the photos from 2008.
Universal Studios Dubailand is one of my favorite theme park projects and its setting in the middle of vast, pure desert (the area surrounding the site really is an absolute no-man’s-land) makes it so unique.
I believe if anything in Dubailand will see the day of light, then it will be this one. Universal Studios is a matter of prestige for Dubai. UAE-based newspaper Gulfnews reported in January that the opening of the theme park had been delayed from 2010 to 2012. I will divert my eyes elsewhere for now and wish the parties in charge success in getting this project underway again.

Construction Update October 25, 2008
I was really excited when I accidentally found an Universal Studios gate on Al Ain road heading to Dubai Outlet City Mall in January 2008. It serves as the entrance to the site’s office and there is construction going on behind it. Something is happening in Dubailand!
Universal Studios Dubailand will feature, among others, a 'Ghostbusters' dark ride, a 'King Kong' dueling coaster, a 'Jurassic Park' river rapids ride and a 'Revenge of the Mummy' roller coaster. Announced in spring 2007, this park is scheduled to open its doors in December 2010. Have a look at the collection of model photos, billboards and aerial pictures of the construction site, the latter taken in July 2008:



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