Disney's The World, Dubai (The Most Ambitious Theme Park Ever!)

[CharlieD]

Ah Dubai. A land of billionaires and extravagant skyscrapers risen out of nothing but the scorching Arabian desert. So many brilliant ideas have come (and gone) for this crazy place. But then the oil dried up, the recession came and the money ran out. Will we ever see the completion of Hydropolis, the underwater hotel? Or the Palm islands? Or some of those insanely tall skyscrapers? Or Dubailand with its Universal Studios, Six Flags, Legoland, Dreamworks Theme Park and Marvel Theme Park? We don’t know for sure, but I doubt it.

So what would happen if the worlds most popular tourism company were to step in and save the day. What if say, Disney ruled the world.

It’s not how it sounds. I mean the man made group of islands 4km of the Dubai coast that were created so that the millionaires could own their own ‘country’. The archipelago was finished early in 2008 and, despite almost three quarters of the islands apparently being bought, no construction has started. But can you imagine if it became one huge 54 square kilometer theme park.

http://viviansalama.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/theworlddubai.jpg

Disney Announces World’s Largest Tourism Project In Dubai

BURBANK, CALIFORNIA (Reuters) - The Walt Disney Company today announced their most ambitious project in the organizations history. At a special presentation this morning, Disney CEO Robert Iger revealed that Disney had aquired the huge archipelago of man made islands in Dubai, known as The World. He was joined by the chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Thomas O. Staggs, who revealed that Disney plans to turn the islands into a huge 54 square mile theme park.

Disney will use existing infrastructure that has been put in place by the previous owners (who went bankrupt in early 2010) and it is expected that they will continue the theme of ‘The World’ and have each land of the ‘mega-park’ based on a country. Staggs said that giant park will include popular existing attractions from the resorts around the world as well as new Dubai exclusive attractions. The news comes just a few weeks after the Dubailand project- which was due to be twice the size of Walt Disney World in Florida- was cancelled. Iger reported that more information will be announced over the next couple of days, including information on the park’s attractions. Iger also said that there will be new information that will include “two exciting new initiatives that have never been done before in the theme park industry.”

Disney’s The World, which is what Iger revealed to be the official name, is just another addition in a hugely exciting time for the Walt Disney Company, what fans are calling the ‘Second Disney Decade’. The World is due to open in 2015, one year after the Shanghai Disneyland Resort as well as new theme parks opening in the Florida, Paris and California resorts in 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively. Read more...

 

[Stratofarius]

I think they're more shifting to a park in South America, or to be precise, Brazil, than another one in Asia.

 

[figmntal95]

I'm not gonna lie, this does sound ambitious. :ROFLOL:

 

[CharlieD]

Haha. This ain't called the imagineering forum for nothin. Just a bit of harmless unrealistic fun

 

[figmntal95]

Haha. This ain't called the imagineering forum for nothin. Just a bit of harmless unrealistic fun

You got a fake press release and everything.

 

[CharlieD]

A new press release....

Groundbreaking Deals With Disney, Universal & Seaworld Signal New Era Of Theme Parks

BURBANK, CALIFORNIA (Los Angeles Times) - Walt Disney Parks & Resorts announced today that they have signed groundbreaking deals with Universal Parks & Resorts and Seaworld Parks & Entertainment after the two rivals agreed to be a part of Disney’s major new project, The World in Dubai. It is the first time in tourism history that such a deal between three such great rivals has been successfully negotiated and it comes just a day after Disney CEO Robert Iger announced that Disney planned to turn the archipelago of man made islands in Dubai into a giant theme park known as Disney’s The World.

The deal means that when Disney’s ‘Imagineers’ plan the contents of theme park they will have access to Universal’s most lucrative properties including Harry Potter, The Simpsons, Jaws, Dreamworks, Dr Seuss, Jurassic Park, Nickelodeon, Men In Black & King Kong; and Seaworld’s expertise in roller coasters, animal exhibits and shows including the world famous Believe show and rides such as Manta, Kraken, SheiKra and Gwazi. They will also of course, have the huge library of characters that Disney has built up over the last 90 years, which in the last five years has included Marvel and Pixar. Universal and Seaworld (who are the third and sixth largest theme park companies respectively) will retain full copyright of their properties and they will be a major presence in creating their own attractions which will be included under the Disney brand name.

Both companies had plans to bring their own parks to Dubai until the global recession struck in 2008. Universal Studios Dubai was going to be just another part of the huge Dubailand project, whilst Seaworld had plans to construct ‘Shamu Island’, a man made island shaped like a killer whale at the head of the Palm Jebel Ali that would of included Seaworld, Busch Gardens, Aquatica and Discovery Cove.

Tom Staggs yesterday described Disney’s The World as “the most exciting and ambitious project in the history of The Walt Disney Company and the tourist industry.” He also said yesterday that in the coming days, details of attractions, shows and restaurants will start be revealed. Read more...

 

[Disneyson 1]

I love the reaistic style being used! Can't wait for incoming details.

 

[figmntal95]

Wait, I just did this. :lol:

 

[CharlieD]

I promise you it's nothing like you're When Theme Parks Collide... thread. Which was great by the way!!! Another update coming this afternoon.

 

[CharlieD]

Disney Reveals Revolutionary ‘Living Theme Park Initiative’
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 5 Jul 2010 (Reuters) - Tom Staggs, head of Walt Disney Parks And Resorts was in Dubai today to reveal a major new component of the Disney’s new theme park, The World, which is being called the ‘Living Park Initiative’.

The LPI is a ‘revolutionary new addition’ that has been designed by Disney’s team of imagineers. It will allow guests to actually ‘live’ inside the theme park by having the hotel inside the park. It will add to the thematic experience and make the different lands feel even more immersive and real. Each hotel will have it’s own entrance to the park so that guests will never have to go off site. The theme park will open from nine until midnight every day so that there is enough for guests to do in the evening.

The LPI system was first experimented with by Disney imagineers at the Hotel MiraCosta which was integrated into the hugely successful Tokyo DisneySea theme park in its Japanese resort. Disney have decided it was such a success that they have decided to implement on a much larger scale, across the whole theme park.

Staggs gave away some possible details yesterday. “Imagine walking through Venice or Paris; looking at the buildings and seeing people waving back to you. Or you’re looking out of your hotel window in London and seeing guests walking through a square, or watching street entertainers, or queueing up for Peter Pan. Imagine staying in a grand New York hotel and watching a Thanksgiving parade roll past your bedroom window; or sitting in a room that’s suspended among the trees in the middle of Amazon- and a Jungle Cruise boat drives past; or dining in a restaurant in a luxury Serengeti restaurant and a giraffe pokes its head over your balcony. All this could soon be possible in Dubai- the possibilities are endless.”

Tom Staggs and Bob Iger spent their fourth of July weekend in Dubai, meeting the ruler of Dubai and various other companies to see if the present and future infrastructure is suitable for the expected influx of tourists. At the presentation, held at the Atlantis hotel on the Palm Jumierah, a couple of details about the forthcoming Shanghai Disneyland resort were also revealed. Staggs said, “We are testing the LPI system in Shanghai first by including hotels in our Magic Kingdom theme park- guests will be able to stay in the Wild West, in a turn of the century American town or in a futuristic city- so that by the time The World is opened in 2015, we will have worked out all the kinks.” Read more...

Coming up next.... the first country.

 

[CharlieD]

I've been away for a couple of days but now I'm going to start off the theme park.

I'm going to start with Europe and the first country.... Britain. It is the second largest country in the park after America (OK, so it's not going to be a very proportional theme park) because it is home to many Disney and other well known characters and stories. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with the fact that it is the country I know must about :animwink:

I'm going to start with an overview of each sub land of Britain.


LONDON
The capital of England is divided into two further sub lands: London Kensington (the rich smart area) and Victorian London (the industrial and Victorian themed area).

London Kensington is dominated by the ROYAL ELIZABETH HOTEL, which is a 4 star smart English Edwardian hotel. The outside is themed as an Edwardian street and the whole area is in a square like a larger version of the back of the United Kingdom pavillion. In the centre of the square is Kensington Gardens, a tranquil hedge and rose garden with a statue of Peter Pan in the middle and a bandstand where Beatles tribute bands play. All the attractions and shops are below the hotel which is on the second floor. Down a side street there is also a recreation of Big Ben and the Houses Of Parliament. The attractions of London Kensington are:

1. PETER PAN'S FLIGHT: Soar above the skies of London and all the way to Neverland in this updated version of the Disney classic. Guests board park benches that have been sprinkled with Tinkerbell's pixie dust so that they can fly alongside Peter, Wendy and the boys. As you might of guessed this is a kuka-arm attraction with modern AAs, larger than life scenes and 3D screens to make you feel as you are actually flying above London. The queue is a walkthrough of the children's nursery with an AA Nana sleeping on one side. [Kuka Arm Ride, Fastpass Available]

2. MARY POPPINS JOLLY HOLIDAY: Hop aboard your carousel horse for a supercalifragilisticexpialidocius Mary Poppins dark ride that's practically perfect in every way. Guests ride a carousel horse (two next to each other) through all the main musical scenes in the movie: A Spoonful Of Sugar, Jolly Holiday, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocius, Feed The Birds (Walt Disney's favourite song), Chim Chim Cher-ee, Step In Time and Let's Go Fly A Kite. [Dark Ride]

3. 101 DALMATIONS RIDE (working title: name greatly appreciated): Cruella de Vil, Cruella de Vil, if she doesn't scare you, no evil thing will. Cruella is after the puppies again, jump in your old fashioned Rolls Royce (similar to Mr Toad's Wild Ride vehicles) and help rescue the puppies from The De Vil Place. [Dark Ride]

Woah... this resort thing is far more time consuming than I could of imagined. More to come later on- plus full ride throughs of main attractions.

 

[CharlieD]

As I was saying....

4. KINGS CROSS STATION: A recreation of the impressive Victorian gothic station. Guests enter through the ticket hall and pick up their own ticket then they head through to the platforms. Trolleys are stacked to one side and the noise of steam engines can be heard in the distance. You go through a parting in the wall which has a sign above it that reads Platform 9 and 3/4 and then you see the train with steam billowing from its funnel... I'm sure you can see where I'm going with this....

London Kensington Shops:

A. BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS: Edwardian style English toys (including character plushes)
B. THE CROWN AND CREST: Novelty London souvenirs

London Kensington Restaurants:

I. TOAD HALL RESTAURANT (Counter Service $$): Enter Mr Toad's stately mansion for traditional English fare including fish and chips, shepherds pie, bangers & mash and roast dinner. The walls are decorated with Toad's belongings including portraits of his beloved car, statues of himself, trophies that he has won and a giant bookcase along one wall.

II. VICTORIA & ALBERT'S (Table Service $$$$$): Five star dining fit for any king or queen. High quality British food in a setting that is heavily themed towards B__________gham Palace- this is one of the most exclusive and luxurious locations in Disney's The World.


And now onto Victorian London. This side of the city has a much more industrial, rugged feel compared to the elegance of Kensington. The streets are typical of Victorian London and the skyline is dominated by a huge 19th century factory- which houses a certain chocolate factory.

1. OLIVER TWIST: An E-Ticket Pirates of the Caribbean style log flume ride based on the well known Charles Dickens story. Guests travel through the scenes from the story which include most of the songs from the musical film including: You've Gotta Pick A Pocket, Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself and I'd Do Anything. The ride climaxes with a 20 foot drop as Bill Sykes falls to his death. (Log Flume Ride)

2. CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY: Hidden inside the large factory is Willy Wonka's factory. Guests board a 20 seater dragon boat (as seen in the movie) and ride through various rooms including the nut room, the inventing room, the television room and of course the room where everything is made of chocolate. The ride is a flume-coaster hybrid- which means that the right ends with a thrilling fast journey on the boat through the chocolate factory tunnels. The boat is actually on a coaster track which is hidden under the water. (Flume Coaster Hybrid)

3. SCROOGE'S HAUNTED HOUSE: Jump abord Dickensian doombuggies D) and travel through Scrooge's Haunted House- meeting the ghosts of christmas past, present and future. (Dark ride) (Sorry it's rushed it's very late)

I really like these three rides so I will post detailed ride throughs soon.

Victorian London Shops:

A. DICKENS EMPORIUM: At the exit from Oliver Twist, guests can buy Charles Dickens gifts and other Victorian London novelties.

B. YE OLDE CHRISTMAS SHOPPE: At the exit of Scrooge's Haunted House, is a christmas shop that is open all year round to get you in that festive mood. And "Bah Humbug" is strictly forbidden!

C. WONKA CANDY STORE: At the exit of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is the most amazing chocolate store ever, with all kinds of sweets and Wonka chocolate bars; as well as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory gifts.

Night

 

[kmbmw777]

This is really cool. Perhaps it can be revived in some way?

 

[kmbmw777]

I don't think you even thought this part through. I won't say what parts because it would take to long, but let's just say not to throw the pearls of Harry Potter and Johhny Depps' Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the swines of Disney (CatCF isn't even set in the 1800s, and Disney has no need nor could treat HP the same way NBCUniversal would and they probably wouldn't have it because J.K Rowling already gave NBCUniversal permission; and also NBCUniversal has a better relationship with Warner Bros. than with Disney (thought that doesn't mean everything with NBCUniversal always gets Warner Bros' approval for use of their IPs). And why not just make the vehicles for Oliver Twist regular dark ride vehicles like Snow White's Scary Adventure?

He said in an earlier post that it is occurring in a hypothetical collaboration between Disney and Universal.

 

[Suchomimus]

He said in an earlier post that it is occurring in a hypothetical collaboration between Disney and Universal.

But I'm still not sure where he got the idea for rolling up three major theme park and resort rivals into one; especially when one is much larger than the other two rest put together.