'World's Largest Marine-Life Aquarium' Nearing Completion

This is really exciting! Thanks :)

This project is associated with Sea World and uses the company's branding, but it looks essentially like a typical aquarium. While all of the American Sea World parks have a distinct portion of their attractions based on marine tanks and aquariums, they all have a lot of rides and other attractions that are what differentiate Sea World parks from a standard aquarium.

Where are the rides and other attractions associated with this project? If it's due to open in a little over a year, you'd think they would be pretty certain what those attractions would be. In my eyes, this is not a Sea World park if it's just an oversized aquarium.

You can see the roller coaster track in front of the building in both the concept art and the construction photo. (I will leave to sharper-eyed readers to determine which company's track that is.) There appear to be two coasters outside the building, and who knows how many simulator or screen attractions within, in addition to the aquarium.

But yeah, it's much more an aquarium than SeaWorld-style open pools with shows. And no orcas here, either.

It still blows my mind that an industry that is filled with gay people is so pro doing business with the UAE, just goes to show where the real priorities are. I certainly will not be going there.

I saw those tracks on the wide-angle concept photo too Robert, but this press release only seems to note the animal habitats, and the additional concept photos provided here only emphasize those tanks without a single note regarding traditional theme park attractions. As we know, concepts can change significantly from the time they're announced until they debut. The lack of any descriptions of rides or other traditional theme park attractions worries me that those may have been cut or significantly pared down to the point where this Sea World is more like a traditional aquarium instead of the Sea World parks we're used to seeing the US. If this project was still a couple years from reality, I wouldn't have the same level of concern, but given that this is 12-18 months from opening, and they can't reveal any of the actual rides makes me think that any rides part of the original concept have been dropped or significantly cut back from the original plan.

@the_man - I'm of the belief that business and politics should not mix, especially when you work in a creative field where the value of your work is extremely subjective. If someone is willing to pay for your art, is it worth making a political stand and risk your livelihood, especially when the prospective client is halfway around the world and in a sovereign nation? Perhaps doing projects for the UAE is a way for some to make a political statement by showing that the Emiratis are hypocrites by partnering with firms that promote values illegal in the UAE.

I have been excited for this project ever since I heard of its existence here on this site some time ago. I'm a big fan of Sea World and aquariums in general so this will be the best of both worlds. As mentioned in a previous post, there will be rides here with two roller coasters and a simulator like attraction within the building. I'll make it out to the Middle-East hopefully sometime this decade and Abu Dhabi with this, Ferrari World, and Warner Bros seems to be the place to be!

@the_man Doing business in the UAE is obviously bad for equality, but the upside is no pesky animal welfare laws. Remember that Sea World's business strategy is admittedly directed toward opening new parks in places where they can treat animals as they please . . .

What are you talking about thecolonel? Sea World is de-emphasizing Orcas not only as the company's icon, but also as attractions within their parks. Their treatment of other animal species is as good or better than other licensed aquariums and zoological facilities around the world, and they have a very successful rescue program that has saved more marine animals than any other organization in the world. Blackfish made its mark, and Sea World has appropriately changed their focus with a gradual end of keeping Orcas in captivity. They can't simply release those animals into the wild, so they will give their existing population a comfortable home through the rest of their lives while ceasing efforts to breed the species.

There are far more notorious abusers of animal welfare in the world (and the US) than Sea World. Opening a park in the Middle East represents an opportunity to tap a new market, not to skirt rules and regulations governing animal care.

Animal politics aside, Sea World is doing this for the same reason everyone else is in the UAE, they're getting paid to do it. Sea World will be making their licensing and design fees regardless of how the park does so they see it as free money.

@russell Trying to find a link, but I recall a Sea World investor presentation a few years back where Sea World responded to animal rights protests, in part, by pivoting its strategy to opening foreign parks in places like the middle east, where animal welfare laws aren't a restriction. In the UAE no one can hear animals scream; etc.

As for "their treatment of other animal species is as good or better than other licensed aquariums and zoological facilities around the world," that point ignores the obvious response that Sea World, unlike other aquarium and zoo facilities, _forces their animals to perform. You ever been forced to perform?

Have you actually been to a zoo or aquarium before thecolonel? There are animal performances at theme parks, zoos, and aquariums around the world. Just a few weeks ago we were at the Georgia Aquarium (the largest in the US), and they had both a dolphin and sea lion show displaying trained behaviors in a show setting. The same goes for the National Aquarium in Baltimore, San Diego Zoo, Columbus Zoo, and many other highly recognized facilities across the country. Even Disney has animal performances and deliberately designed habitats to best show off trained/forced animal behaviors. I can't think of a single zoo or large aquarium that I've been to where there hasn't been at least one animal show that displays trained behaviors.

Also, if Sea World was expanding into the UAE to avoid animal welfare laws, why are they spending money to build and maintain an animal rehabilitation and rescue facility there? Your claim that SWE is trying to flee to foreign soil in order to deliberately mistreat animals has no logical or factual basis and is downright libelous.

"You ever been forced to perform?"

Yup, but the salary and benefits I have received fairly compensate me for my performance.

Thank you, Russell! That last line made me laugh! My thoughts exactly!

Agree Tim.

Shame some forget the good things Seaworld does.

Easy to remember the bad not so quick on the good.

@Russell yeahhhhh but based on your benefits and compensation you choose to perform, the animals didn't.

And while we're calling out Sea World for forcing animals to perform, we should also shame all of those evil pet owners who teach their dogs to "Sit!" "Lay Down!" "Roll Over" and walk on a leash just to get a treat or a pat on the head. How humiliating it must be for an animal whose ancestors once hunted us for dinner to show obediance to what was once prey!

I hope some of you people see how far down Absurdity Road we can take your reasoning.

Thecolonel, have you ever worked for Sea World? Speaking as a former ambassador, I can personally tell you that the zoological operations teams ALWAYS put the animals' needs ahead of the guests' enjoyment. If you have no experience in what goes on backstage at these parks, please refrain from posting on this topic in the interest of avoiding the spread of misinformation.

Best regards.

@thecolonel I was forced to sing in concerts for my parents during elementary school. Am I also a victim of oppressive rights violations?