Legoland Dubai

The proposed Legoland project in Dubai is a partnership between UK-based attractions operator Merlin Entertainments Group and Dubailand developers Tatweer. It was originally scheduled to open in 2011.

The developers behind it have insisted the project will still go ahead despite delays brought about by the global economic slowdown.

“Given the current situation in the region work on the project has been delayed, but both Merlin and our local partners remain entirely committed to building a Legoland Park in Dubai,” a spokesperson from Merlin told Arabian Business this week.

Can anyone confirm if they are actively building on the site?

Closeup of archway logo

More images here.

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SEGA Republic

Opening soon in The Dubai Mall is SEGA Republic an indoor theme park. This the largest SEGA Republic in the middle East features five zones including:

Speed Zone

• Sonic Hopper a freefall drop ride
• Storm-G
• Initial D4 Limited
• Outrun 2 Special Tours SDX

Sports Zone

• Halfpipe Canyon a 7 meter high snowboarding halfpipe

Adventure Zone

• Spin Gear a full-scale indoor horizontal spinning-coaster (more details below)
• Wild Wing an ‘extreme adventure’ motion simulated ride
• Wild Jungle a ‘close up’ motion simulated ride
• Let’s Go Jungle! Special

Cyberpop Zone

• Gaming area containing 250 Amusement games

Redemption Zones

• A themed arcade and gaming zone where tickets can be won and redeemed for a large range of merchandise.

Spin Gear Update: “The themed ride tells a story based around the evil plans of Dr. Eggman, who is Sonic the Hedgehog’s arch nemesis. Dr. Eggman has taken over an old factory facility and has developed a prototype weapon, SPIN GEAR, for capturing Sonic the Hedgehog. Now all he needs are ‘test subjects’ and there is only way to escape his evil plans – on a rollercoaster ride that will have everyone’s head spinning.”

F1-X Dubai

News has just come in that the first F1-X theme park in Dubai which was due to be opened at the end of this year has been delayed until “at least” 2010.

The F1 theme park project is more than 50% complete, is due to be spread over 70 acres and feature 13 major rides and attractions. It will have four main areas, F1-X Dubai, Dubai Autodrome and Uptown MotorCity and Green Community MotorCity, the latter being residential areas. A 242 room Marriott Coutryyard Hotel is also planned.

Dubai Cookie Monster

The building of a Sesame Street themed themepark has just been announced.

The project main feature will be Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic, a 400-seat theatre using motion based technology will allow guests to not only see and hear this remarkable attraction, but also simultaneously be immersed in the feelings and smells of the action right from their own seats.

A Sesame Street themed carousel and live stage show will also be produced. Finally Elmo’s Emporium will be open for anyone wanting to purchase a “Tickle me elmo” or any other Sesame Street merchandise.

The development will be a city in the shape of a falcon containing full size recreations of the seven wonders for the world: the Great Pyramid in Giza, the Lighthouse at Alexandria, the Eiffel Tower, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Taj Mahal, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Great Wall of China, which will encircle the Pharaohs Theme Park.

Dubai is aggressively targeting the family market and aims to topple Florida from its spot as the theme park capital of the world.

Development is centred around the massive Dubailand complex, with offerings from DreamWorks (in mid-2012), Six Flags (mid-2011), and Nickelodeon and Marvel Entertainment (late 2012/2013) on the cards, supported by more than 50 hotels planned for the Bawadi area.

Other future openings include Universal City by Universal Studios (late 2010), which will be one of the world’s largest theme parks, complete with 4,000 luxury hotel rooms, shopping facilities and 100 restaurants.

A three million square foot version of Legoland will open in late 2011, while Anheuser-Busch plans to open four theme parks, including a SeaWorld, and US film studios Paramount Pictures and Warner Brothers are also partnering with local developers
on theme park projects.

Other upcoming attractions include The Great Dubai Wheel, which will enable visitors to see for up to 50 kilometres; The Emirates Planetarium, which will include a 3-D theatre, laser shows, a planetarium, a museum and a hotel; and the Falcon City of Wonders (2009-12), which will feature replicas of the wonders of the ancient and modern worlds.

The emirate’s second Snow Dome will open at Dubailand next year.

Meanwhile, the massive shopping centre Dubai Mall, which opened on November 4 and is equal to the size of 50 football pitches, features the Sega Republic indoor theme park and the Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink.

Tiger Woody

The 19th (and some say most important) hole in The Tiger Woods Dubai project has been officially started:

The sub-structure of the clubhouse, including foundation, retaining walls and columns for its basement levels, are now complete and well on its way to welcoming members and visitors from late 2009.

In other news, I read that:

Most of the 11,000 trees required for the golf course have been procured, while approximately 350 mature trees have already been planted on the course.

Source

Dubai is a truly exceptional city. With a perfect winter climate, top class hotels, superb facilities for sports and leisure activities and excellent shopping, Dubai has something to offer for everyone.

For a taste of old Dubai head to Deira; stroll around and take in the atmosphere at the bustling Gold and Spice Souks. From there, make your way to Bur Dubai, a historical part of the city where you will find Dubai Museum, Grand Mosque and Sheik Saeed Al-Marktoum’s House.
Jump aboard a traditional wooden Arabic Dhow; glide down the beautiful Dubai Creek and marvel at the ultra-modern skyline of Dubai today. In the evening, head to the Hilton Dubai Creek where you can enjoy an evening at Verre by Gordon Ramsey or sip martinis at Issimo Bar.
A great way to see all of this, is on the Dubai Hop-on Hop-off Tour; with 20 stops around the city and beach plus a free dhow cruise.

November sees the grand opening party at Atlantis The Palm, the first breathtaking hotel to open on The Palm Jumeirah. If you weren’t lucky enough to get an invite you can still experience the thrills of Aquadventure or meet the dolphins during your visit.

Our best selling sightseeing option, and excellent value for money, is the Sundowner Dune Dinner. During the tour you will speed across the sand dunes on a thrilling 4×4 ride and watch the sun set over the magical Arabian Desert. Relax in Bedu tents and feast on a barbecue whilst being entertained by belly dancers swaying to the sounds of Arabian music…