Universal Building New Theme Park in Dubai

[Seahunt]

Local news is reporting this today :

Universal Parks & Resorts is going to build a new Universal Studios theme park as part of an even larger resort area development called Universal City Dubailand in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, according to an announcement made this morning in Dubai by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

The theme park, which is expected to cost $2.2 billion, open in 2010 and eventually draw 5 million visitors a year, will be part of a much larger development that will include hotels, retail outlets, commercial offices and residential compounds.

 

[ChrisFL]

Local news is reporting this today :

Universal Parks & Resorts is going to build a new Universal Studios theme park as part of an even larger resort area development called Universal City Dubailand in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, according to an announcement made this morning in Dubai by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

The theme park, which is expected to cost $2.2 billion, open in 2010 and eventually draw 5 million visitors a year, will be part of a much larger development that will include hotels, retail outlets, commercial offices and residential compounds.

Much Larger is correct, Dubailand (if it gets built entirely as expected) will make WDW look like a small carnival in comparison. I didn't know Universal was going to be a part of it but it doesn't surprise me.

Dubailand is going to fill up TWICE as many square miles as the entire WDW property and they are going to be using almost all of it. It's insanity on a whole new level!

 

[LukenDC]

This is wonderful news! I have Internet friends in the Middle East, including Iran, who dream of visiting American theme parks but cannot due to money or inability to obtain a visa. My Iranian friend went to Paris just to see Disneyland. This announcement will excite millions of people and hopefully lead to positive cultural exchanges.

 

[robvia]

I'd be excited if they built new thrill rides here in the states, but that doesn't happen enough. And it won't effect the stock price for shareholders because that's done thru large institutions. Any profits from this will go to the CEOs at the top so they can have 10 vacation homes and million dollar bonuses. If they talk about building new thrill rides at IOA, then I'll be happy.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

I think it's really exciting. And America isn't the only country that deserves world-class theme parks.

I already checked airfare to Dubai. Ouch. It just means I have to work my *** off if I want to be able to vacation there.

 

[ChrisFL]

screamscape.com has pics of the model up now...looks like an odd mix of USF and IOA with some different coasters.