DubaiLand in Dubai: The Next Big Theme Park

Dubailand is an entertainment complex under development in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which is owned by Tatweer (which belongs to Dubai Holding). Construction of Dubailand has been divided into four phases. Work is currently being carried out on phase one of the project which is expected to see completion some time between 2008 and 2010.

The Dubailand project was officially announced on October 23, 2003. Dubailand will be 278 km²/107 mile² and will include 45 "mega projects" and 200 sub projects. To date, there are currently 22 projects under development. It will be twice the size of Walt Disney World, and will be the largest collection of theme parks in the world; however, no theme park in Dubailand will surpass Disney's Animal Kingdom (located at Walt Disney World) as the world's largest theme park. Private reaction towards the project has been positive and Dubai has exceeded the $4.9 billion private investment figure it expected on the entire project by collecting approximately $6 billion from the private sector for the first phase.

The first of four phases comprising the development of Dubailand will be completed in early 2008 since the developers decided to extend the park by 50% subsequently bumping up its completion date. Completion of the final phase is targeted for some time between 2015 and 2018. Dubailand is seen by its designers as a city and therefore like a city they expect it to continue to grow and develop beyond the four phase plan.

Sahara Kingdom theme park, situated in the Attractions & Experience World, will cover 460,000 m2 (4,951,399 sq ft) and will combine high end virtual and physical theme park rides, attractions such as a state of the art gaming zone, IMAX theater, and integrated live and virtual entertainment shows, together with a retail zone, four hotels and residential accommodation. The theme of the development is traditional Arabia folklore and the tales of One Thousand and One Nights. Sahara Kingdom is due for completion in October 2010.

On January 19, 2008, Dreamworks announced plans to build a Dreamworks park in Dubailand.

On March 4, 2008, Tatweer announced a strategic alliance with Six Flags to build a 5,000,000 square feet (460,000 m2) Six Flags Dubailand theme park. The theme park is scheduled to break ground sometime in 2009.

On May 1, 2008, Tatweer announced the launch of Freej Dubailand. Freej Dubailand will boast hotels totalling 2,600 keys, and feature retail, food and beverage outlets, as well as a spectrum of entertainment attractions.

On May 2, 2008, announced the finalization of the design and conceptual master plan for a Marvel Superheroes theme park, the first of its kind. It will include 17 rides and attractions on a 4,500,000 square foot development. It will also comprise nine retail outlets on an area of 30,000 square feet (2,800 m2). Over 40 food and beverage outlets, including carts merchandising light refreshments, will be developed over 40,000 sq ft (3,700 m2). area. Groundbreaking for the project is expected to be conducted in the first quarter of 2009, with the theme park scheduled to open doors on 31 December, 2012.

On May 6, 2008, Tatweer announced a strategic alliance with Merlin Entertainments Group to build a Legoland park in Dubailand. The project will cost Dh912 million, occupy a total of 3,000,000 sq ft (278,709 m2), and will feature more than 40 interactive rides, shows and attractions geared towards families with children ages 2 to 12. The park will open at the end of 2011.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubailand