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.

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.