Non-Disney Theme Parks
Topic: ITs Official: BG, SW, DC, Aq. for Dubai

#	Author	Message
31	jonvn Mon 3/24/2008 7:41a	Gee, Lee, it's the stinking Persian Gulf! It's not exactly the world's garden spot.
32	leemac Mon 3/24/2008 7:42a	<<I love that they are taking chances>> The thing is that I don't think they are taking chances. All of the architecture is entirely uninspiring and typically has been cloned from other locations. It is homogenized to ensure it can all be built quickly and easily. The Jumeirah resorts are the sole exceptions but they only number three (the Burj al Arab, Jumeirah Beach and Madinat). The remainder of the hotels, condo blocks and countless malls are so similar it is easy to confuse them. Take a look at the Dubai Marina disaster to see that - every skyscraper looks the same and they are literally right next door to each other casting shadows over everything. The real trendsetter in UAE is Abu Dhabi - Sadiyaat Island is an intriguing proposition if it is pulled off. Also Norman Foster is building an eco-suburb that is absolutely fascinating. All I can say is that I'll be glad when our attention to international expansion is not UAE and Shanghai. :-)
33	davewasbaloo Mon 3/24/2008 7:54a	Ok, things sound like they have changed a bit then. We were there about 4 years ago. What I saw then was fab.
34	leemac Mon 3/24/2008 8:03a	^^ It is the traffic that erks me the most. It took 3 1/2 hours once to go about ten miles. If it wasn't still 45 degrees Celsius out I would have walked. The infrastructure just hasn't kept up with the development. They are building a massive metro link but it simply runs alongside the main highway that runs parallel to the coastline. Madness. I would happily take being stuck on the 5 in OC over Dubai any day - and that is saying something in my book!
35	davewasbaloo Mon 3/24/2008 8:05a	Oh dear, it wasn't that bad when we were there. That's a shame. As for I5 in the OC, it was still better than the M25!
36	dshyates Mon 3/24/2008 8:39a	"The real trendsetter in UAE is Abu Dhabi - Sadiyaat Island is an intriguing proposition if it is pulled off. Also Norman Foster is building an eco-suburb that is absolutely fascinating. All I can say is that I'll be glad when our attention to international expansion is not UAE and Shanghai. :-)" So Lee, spill the beans about Disney UAE. We know they are seeking approval in Shanghai, but UAE? Also, it smells more like Disney Abu Dahbi than Disney Dubai. We promise to keep it secret.
37	leemac Mon 3/24/2008 9:11a	^^ No comment. And you are wrong about Shanghai. I wouldn't believe everything that some low-level civil servant releases to the Chinese media.
38	leemac Mon 3/24/2008 9:12a	Forgot a smiley face too. Add :-)
39	dshyates Mon 3/24/2008 9:22a	OK, no Shanghai. But (wink, wink) mums the word on the new Disney Abu Dahbi.
40	SuperDry Tue 4/22/2008 12:42a	<<< They don't like my kind. >>> <<< What is your kind jon? >>> I think he means the Jewish kind. Interestingly, the UAE is perhaps the most progressive of the Muslim nations in the region in this regard. In many nations, Jews are prohibited, and even non-Jews whose passports show travel to Isreal are denied entry. In fact the US State Department will issue US citizens a second passport for this reason: one for travel to Israel, and the regular one for everywhere else so that the regular one won't show Israeli entry/exit stamps. Also, many nations in the region have almost Soviet-style visa requirements, requiring that you have a sponsor or organized tour group of some sort in order to get a visa. But the UAE reformed and got rid of all that nonsense. Citizens of many countries, including the US, can just show up and be admitted upon arrival without any advance visa, sponsor, or other paperwork, and stay for up to 60 days. And, they don't care if you're Jewish, and they don't care if you've been to Israel. The only people they don't allow are actual citizens of Israel traveling on an Israeli passport.

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