Robert Niles
Editor
Robert Niles

Six Flags announces Dubai theme park project (yes, again)

April 10, 2014, 2:47 PM · Six Flags Entertainment Corporation today announced that it has a deal with Meraas Leisure and Entertainment, a development company in the United Arab Emirates, to bring a Six Flags theme park to Dubai.

Scheduled for completion in late 2017, the Six Flags Dubai would be part of a Meraas-backed multi-park development in Jebel Ali.

If any of this sounds familiar to you, it should. This isn't the first time that Six Flags has announced plans for a theme park in Dubai. In 2008, the chain announced plans for a park, to be built by another company, Tatweer. Six Flags later that year also announced plans for a park in Qatar, with the same development partner.

Both those plans died in the 2008 global economic meltdown, along with plans for Dubai theme parks from Universal, SeaWorld/Busch Gardens, Legoland, and others. Still, before the crash, designers created some impressive concept work, and developers broke ground on at least one of the parks.

Replies (5)

TielO
O T
April 11, 2014 at 2:10 AM · The Goddard Group has some artwork on Facebook of the proposed Six Flags park. It looks nice, much better then a regular Six Flags park but it's not a high end theme park that you expect the rich in the world would care to visit.

Because of all it's cancelled projects (not only theme parks but also resorts) it's a bit of a joke. Sure I would like it to become theme park central in the world because it's closer by then the US and less jetlag but I don't think it'll be a success (if ever build).

Orlando and Las Vegas are an economical anomaly. They have no right to exist because they are only focused to 1 industry, tourism, but they are very successful. That success didn't happen overnight but grew over many years. So just build it and expect they come without the "growth" and the "earning it" and building a fan base (at least 80% of Disney guests are repeat visitors) it has no reason to exist. That your first park is a Sick Flags (no typo) doesn't help.

RobPastor
Rob Pastor
April 11, 2014 at 7:17 AM · Choosing Six Flags showed they didn't do their homework from the start. It will either not get off the ground or it'll be a complete failure if built.
bet1227
Brandon Townsend
April 11, 2014 at 7:22 AM · As a former Dallas resident (original Six Flags is my old home park) and current Dubai resident this is good news, but I won't hold my breath. The Universal Studios park here only got as far as the entrance sign and is literally a "sandbox" park, a la Roller Coaster Tycoon.
Also, there is currently an indoor amusement park being built in Dubai called IMG World's of Adventure that has a Marvel section with lots of promised super hero themed stuff. Supposed to be finished this year.
Rock-Blazer12
James Trexen
April 11, 2014 at 9:18 AM · Rob: When international parks get involved, budgets are usually a little more flexible than here in the US. Because the countries's usually help pay for alot of labor costs, companies have more financial freedom in making themed concepts like what you'd find at Disney or Universal parks. You can find lots of highly immersive rides in lesser known parks like Movie World Germany or Warner Bros. Movie park in Australia.
RobPastor
Rob Pastor
April 11, 2014 at 10:38 AM · James: Yes, I was aware of that. Regardless, I still stand by my opinion. Of course, it is just an opinion.

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