May 31st 2024.
In October 2003, plans were announced for a grand theme park in Dubai known as Dubailand. The project was estimated to cost a whopping $64 billion and was envisioned to be twice the size of Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. The city of Dubai, known for its popularity among tourists, planned to build the park on a 107 square mile site divided into six different themed zones, including Attractions and Experience World, Sports and Outdoor World, Eco-Tourism World, Themed Leisure and Vacation World, Retail and Entertainment World, and Downtown.
The park, also dubbed the "Disneyland of the Middle East," was expected to feature a wide range of attractions and experiences, from state-of-the-art gaming zones and IMAX theaters to live and virtual entertainment shows, retail complexes, and even residential accommodations. One of the main attractions, the Sahara Kingdom theme park, was set to cover almost five million square feet and boast a variety of high-end rides.
However, the project faced setbacks when work came to a halt in 2008 due to the global financial crisis. For the next five years, the site changed hands multiple times and faced difficulties in resuming construction. In 2013, work eventually resumed, but it has been over ten years since the initial announcement, and Dubailand has yet to fully open its doors for business. While some parts, such as the Dubai Miracle Garden and IMG Worlds Of Adventure, are now open to the public, the park remains a work in progress.
Dubailand's ambitious plans have also been overshadowed by other attractions in Dubai, such as Dubai Parks and Resorts, which includes Motiongate, a theme park inspired by Hollywood films. As construction continues on Dubailand, it is expected to open in phases by 2025, but the vast empty spaces between the park's location and the desert serve as a reminder of the challenges faced in bringing this grand project to life. Only time will tell if Dubailand will truly become the "Disneyland of the Middle East" or remain a dream.
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