We preview Dubai’s theme park project Dubailand, set to be the largest park of its kind in the world when it opens in 2010
Dubailand, the first phase of which will open in 2010, will contain several theme parks plus hotels, shopping malls, sports complexes and leisure and entertainment facilities and will be the largest theme park in the world.
In fact, it will be a city within a city with 2.5 million residents – one million more than Dubai’s current population. Dubailand is expected to attract more than 15 million visitors a year by 2015 when the final phase will be complete.
Just 10 minutes from Dubai airport and an hour from Abu Dhabi, Dubailand is being designed as an all-encompassing self-contained family destination leaving visitors no reason to leave for the duration of their holiday.
The 45 different leisure and tourism projects in Dubailand include a Universal Studios, a Restless Planet theme park providing entry into a prehistoric world including giant animated dinosaurs, a Sahara Kingdom recreating Arabian history and a Falcon City of Wonders with replicas the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Taj Mahal.
For thrillseekers, 145 sq ft has been set aside for Attractions and Experience World, which will consist of more than 14 projects including a Pharoahs Theme Park, Giants World, Kids World, Space and Science World, Desert World Theme Park, Arabian Theme Park and a water park.
In addition, visitors will be able to stroll along a six-mile Wadi Walk in the City of Arabia, which has provide open-air leisure and entertainment facilities.
Five Dubailand projects are already partly operational, including the Al Sahara Desert Resort, in the ‘ecotourism’ sector, the Dubai Outlet Mall and Global Village shopping complexes, and the Dubai Autodrome at MotorCity.
A spokeswoman said contracts with UK tour operators should be finalised shortly.
