| # | Author | Message |
1
| dshyates
Thu 2/28/2008 7:52a | Its official: Its Dubai
http://tinyurl.com/ypujsw
I logged on to the site at 10:30am est. and the link for the press release was already posted. I haven't read it yet. But here it is
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2
| FerretAfros
Thu 2/28/2008 8:48a | Interesting. I wonder what they will theme the BG park to, since Africa and Europe aren't all that exotic in the Middle East, especially in an area as affluent as Dubai.
I also can't help but wonder if this is a good move. There's been a ton of stuff pouring into Dubai recently, and at a certain point it will all hit saturation, and business will become stagnant. I don't know how well it will attract outside visitors, but from some things in the other thread it sounds like it would be difficult for many people to make it there. And what happens when they run out of oil? I'm sure they've thought about this for a while, but it just seems a little like they're just jumping on the bandwagon here. |
3
| dshyates
Thu 2/28/2008 9:13a | Especially since there is this other $64 Billion EPCOT-type Dubailand coming with, I believe, 5 other theme parks (Uni/Dreamworks/ Formula One Park,HIT Ent., and a Dinosaur park).
http://www.dubailand.ae/home.h
tml
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4
| dshyates
Thu 2/28/2008 9:14a | Oh, and ferret, I dug up some more stats on Myrtle Beach. They are very interesting in their direct comparison to Hawaii. I posted them over on the Other Disney Destinations thread. |
5
| Sport Goofy
Thu 2/28/2008 9:23a | I always thought Sea World in Orlando was miserable in the summertime -- not many places to escape the heat. I can't imagine this place being comfortable in the middle of a Persian Gulf summer.
Also, I find it interesting that UAE would be so accommodating of the entertainment arm of the world's largest beer company. The last time I checked, the laws on consumption of alcohol in UAE were pretty strict -- even at some of the "western" venues. |
6
| dshyates
Thu 2/28/2008 10:34a | Screamscape has some artwork of Palm Island. Worlds of Discovery will be located at the crest of the Palm shaped island on its own island shaped like a killer whale.
http://www.screamscape.com/htm
l/worlds_of_discovery_-_dubai.htm |
7
| xrayvision
Thu 2/28/2008 10:44a | Looks fun for people in that part of the world. Since we already have all those parks in FLA, it's not very exciting news here in the U.S.
A Worlds of Discovery resort near TDL to enhance my Tokyo theme park visits would be more interesting. A new rollercoaster in the U.S...even better.
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8
| Jim in Merced CA
Thu 2/28/2008 10:48a | I have no interest in visiting Dubai -- for Sea World or for any other reason.
What's wrong with me?
*sob* |
9
| FerretAfros
Thu 2/28/2008 11:36a | I think it's interesting that the Screamscape article says that last year Dubai got 7 million visitors, and is expected to get up to 15 million by 2015. While these may sound like impressive numbers, remember that the "failure" that is DCA gets around 7 million guests each year, and DL gets around 16-17 million. While I'm sure there are also locals who live in Dubai who will help drive the numbers up, there aren't that many. Unless they can find a way to make these parks appeal to every single person who visits Dubai (which I think would be a first anywhere), they won't have that many people visiting them, at least by US standards. I don't know how they plan on working that out, unless they just cahrge an arm and a leg to guests. I just don't see this as the best idea ever... |
10
| FerretAfros
Thu 2/28/2008 11:39a | For what it's worth, here's a link to what the site looked like the last time they updated Google Maps. I think it's interesting that they are making all these islands, when there really doesn't seem to be a shortage of existing land to use. Maybe it has to do with keeping a cooler temperature?
http://tinyurl.com/2lo3ba
It also seems to be near a place where they are making a map of the world, out of smaller islands. I just don't get why they are making islands, when the same distance inland is completely empty...
http://tinyurl.com/3e4w4e |
