WDW vs Dubailand

[DisneyYorkian74]

Have you ever seen anything on Dubai? The UAE, and Dubai in particular, right now are some of the richest countries due to oil reserves. Unlike many of the other countries, they are also a little more westernized in their thinking, and they have basically come to realize that some day, their oil is going to run out. So their goal is, while they still have the money, to turn themselves into the entertainment capital of the world. They are targeting Las Vegas, and Disneyland and Hong Kong, pretty much head on. They have put p already some absolutely amazing things - artificial islands, the only 7 star resort in the world, and this is just the city.

DubailLand, which is a theme park being built in Dubai, is planned out to be twice as large as WDW. I am not saying it absolutely will be better than Disney. But they are pouring an awful lot of money into it, and they are shooting quite high.

This is, at least as far as I see, the first legitimate possible competition for Disney world wide. So far, Disney has been so far beyond any other park that they have hardly had to respond. My question in a nutshell is - will this project, even though it is in another part of the world, actually be steady competition? And if so, will it hurt or will it help Disney?

I just did a quick search on the tourism numbers in Dubai and I wasn't all that impressed.

The highest amount of tourists I saw was between 5-8 million guests.

The report did say that Dubai is growing in record numbers but I think that bubble will burst way before they reach the 40-44 million visitors WDW and Las Vegas receives.

Now when it comes to "DubailLand," I see that theme park will fail before it even gets started.

As I said before, Walt Disney World is the only tourist destination where the main selling point are the theme parks.

All the other amusement/theme parks rely on a local fanbase to keep the park afloat.

Look at the theme/amusement parks that were built in the middle of Vegas. Those didn't succeed so why should this one?

Plus, why would I fly from New York, Florida, London, Tokyo, etc; To go to a theme park that basically offers the same attractions my local theme park or even County Fair offers less than 10-50 miles away? Doesn't make sense to me?

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Plus, why would I fly from New York, Florida, Doesn't make sense to me?

I dont think you are the market, I think they are aiming at Northern Europeans.

 

[DisneyYorkian74]

I dont think you are the market, I think they are aiming at Northern Europeans.

Even so...

I don't see Northern Europeans turning 5-8 million visitors a year, into 40 million visitors a year.

 

[Tim G]

I just did a quick search on the tourism numbers in Dubai and I wasn't all that impressed.

The highest amount of tourists I saw was between 5-8 million guests.

The report did say that Dubai is growing in record numbers but I think that bubble will burst way before they reach the 40-44 million visitors WDW and Las Vegas receives.

Now when it comes to "DubailLand," I see that theme park will fail before it even gets started.

They will get there... and it will certainly not fail...

As I said before, Walt Disney World is the only tourist destination where the main selling point are the theme parks.

C'mon... In your eyes maybe... What you're saying is oversimplified... :lookaroun

Plus, why would I fly from New York, Florida, London, Tokyo, etc; To go to a theme park that basically offers the same attractions my local theme park or even County Fair offers less than 10-50 miles away? Doesn't make sense to me?

There are really more countries in the world than the USA... Did you know that???
And BTW it's pretty selfish to say such a thing... people don't think the same as you do... :lookaroun

Do you really think that Disney is on everyones mind... don't think so... :lookaroun

 

[JikoMarie]

Also, I think that we should stop referring to Dubailand as a "theme park". It's much more than that. It's an entire complex that will include the largest mall in the world. I'm sure some people will visit for that alone.

As far as Dubai's annual tourist numbers, how many visitors per year did Orlando have before WDW came around? Does anybody know? I'd be willing to guess that it was less than Dubai already has. Dubai already is a tourist destination. The fact that number of tourists has grown by 3-5 million since 2000 speaks volumes to me.

 

[Tim G]

Also, I think that we should stop referring to Dubailand as a "theme park". It's much more than that. It's an entire complex that will include the largest mall in the world. I'm sure some people will visit for that alone.

As far as Dubai's annual tourist numbers, how many visitors per year did Orlando have before WDW came around? Does anybody know? I'd be willing to guess that it was less than Dubai already has. Dubai already is a tourist destination. The fact that number of tourists has grown by 3-5 million since 2000 speaks volumes to me.

I fully agree with this statement... Just give them some time... They'll get there...

 

[DisneyYorkian74]

C'mon... In your eyes maybe... What you're saying is oversimplified... :lookaroun

I said in a earlier post that anyone could correct me if I was wrong or misinformed.

But can you honestly say that any other tourist destination uses a bunch of theme parks as their main advertising hook?

All the top theme parks are owned by Disney, and ALL except for Walt Disney World relies on a strong local fanbase to keep their attendance figures that high.

So all I'm asking is what will be "DubailLand's" hook to make people decide to go there rather than WDW?

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

So all I'm asking is what will be "DubailLand's" hook to make people decide to go there rather than WDW?

Simply its another box to tick another experience to have. Florida is soooooo last year. Dont ya know.

 

[Tim G]

I said in a earlier post that anyone could correct me if I was wrong or misinformed.

Which i did...

But can you honestly say that any other tourist destination uses a bunch of theme parks as their main advertising hook?

Could well be...

All the top theme parks are owned by Disney, and ALL except for Walt Disney World relies on a strong local fanbase to keep their attendance figures that high.

Nope, the succes is the formula...

So all I'm asking is what will be "DubailLand's" hook to make people decide to go there rather than WDW?

We don't know....... YET,
but believe me, they will succeed... It's only a money thing...

 

[cloudboy]

Keep in mind that Dubai is a lot more than DubaiLand. Perhaps that's the confusion - Dubai is a city. Well, actually it is an Emirate, and then within that is the city of Dubai. DubaiLand is an entertainment complex (the way Disney is an entertainment complex) that resides in Dubai. IT is not the only project Dubai is pursuing. You have seen pictures of that futuristic hotel that looks like a sail and has the huge fountain in it? That is in Dubai. As is those Palm Shaped Islands and the island cluster made up to look like a globe. The fact that Dubai has 5 million guests already is pretty huge considering 20 years ago this was sand. Not even a palm grove - just sand. Now a major city.

I, too am a little curious as to how their rides will be. Some of their drawings look an awful lot like a Six Flags type setup, with mostly off the shelf designs. But, they have shown that they are willing to pour the money into making something really over the top, just as Tokyo Disney has. So I wonder if in reality they can come up with some really unique ideas. I for one would like to see that. I think it might provide some inspiration and encouragement for Disney to stretch it's muscles a bit and try some new directions.

 

[DisneyYorkian74]

Keep in mind that Dubai is a lot more than DubaiLand. Perhaps that's the confusion - Dubai is a city. Well, actually it is an Emirate, and then within that is the city of Dubai. DubaiLand is an entertainment complex (the way Disney is an entertainment complex) that resides in Dubai. IT is not the only project Dubai is pursuing. You have seen pictures of that futuristic hotel that looks like a sail and has the huge fountain in it? That is in Dubai. As is those Palm Shaped Islands and the island cluster made up to look like a globe. The fact that Dubai has 5 million guests already is pretty huge considering 20 years ago this was sand. Not even a palm grove - just sand. Now a major city.

I, too am a little curious as to how their rides will be. Some of their drawings look an awful lot like a Six Flags type setup, with mostly off the shelf designs. But, they have shown that they are willing to pour the money into making something really over the top, just as Tokyo Disney has. So I wonder if in reality they can come up with some really unique ideas. I for one would like to see that. I think it might provide some inspiration and encouragement for Disney to stretch it's muscles a bit and try some new directions.

Ok, now I'm getting a better picture of the place.

I personally still think the bubble will burst before it reaches 40 million people.

Just because a place starts off successful does not mean it will remain that way.

Universal Studios Japan was really successful the first year it came out. Some predictions were that it would actually overtake Tokyo Disneyland in terms of attendance.

Long story short, the park's attendance fell and it's now burdened in debt.

Each tourist destination has to have a "hook" in order for it to become and remain popular.

The facts that I don't really see what that "hook" could be and that people don't fly to visit an amusement park with Six Flags types attractions tells me that I don't see the place as even a minor threat.

If the park doesn't fail right out of the gate it will just be competition for the theme/amusement parks around the area, not for Walt Disney World.

 

[DisneyYorkian74]

Which i did...
Could well be...

And that tourist destination is...?

 

[Tim G]

I'm quiting this senseless "Yes/No" discussion...

It's getting us nowhere... You may have the last words if you like... you just want to be right... Well Ok... you're right... :lookaroun
Although you haven't got any idea what makes a themepark a themepark... :lookaroun

Have a Magical Day!

 

[JikoMarie]

So all I'm asking is what will be "DubailLand's" hook to make people decide to go there rather than WDW?

I think that's what we've been discussing throughout the thread and people have come up with a lot of "hooks". Location, money for development, vision, proximity to countries filled with eager tourists, culture, amenities, and innovation are just some of them.

 

[DisneyYorkian74]

I think that's what we've been discussing throughout the thread and people have come up with a lot of "hooks". Location, money for development, vision, proximity to countries filled with eager tourists, culture, amenities, and innovation are just some of them.

Those are all great but they're really nothing that other established tourist destinations don't offer.

 

[Tim G]

Those are all great but they're really nothing that other established tourist destinations don't offer.

My final words on this...

Better stop discussing for sake of discussing... YOU ARE RIGHT!!!

So snap out of it...

 

[JikoMarie]

Those are all great but they're really nothing that other established tourist destinations don't offer.

So? Are you saying that it needs to be completely unique in order to succeed? You know there are other successful tourist destinations besides WDW.

 

[DisneyYorkian74]

So? Are you saying that it needs to be completely unique in order to succeed? You know there are other successful tourist destinations besides WDW.

Nope not saying that.

But the question of the OP is whether or not it will become popular enough to compete with WDW.

I still don't think "DubailLand" will be all that successful; but the hype surrounding the city of Dubai will die down, and although it probably won't be a major player, it will more than likely find its own little niche in the tourism industry and enjoy being successful in its own right.

 

[JikoMarie]

I still don't think "DubailLand" will be all that successful; but the hype surrounding the city of Dubai will die down, and although it probably won't be a major player, it will more than likely find its own little niche in the tourism industry and enjoy being successful in its own right.

Yes. This is exactly what I've been saying for the entire thread.

 

[GoofyMike29]

attendance

I do not think that DubaiLand will surpass Disney World in attendance, regardless of how big it is. It takes more than sheer size to attract millions of visitors.