Dubailand was an entertainment complex planned to be built in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which was owned by Tatweer (which belongs to Dubai Holding). When announced in 2003 it was one of the most ambitious leisure developments ever proposed anywhere in the world costing $64.3 billion,[1] but development has been severely impacted by global recession and Dubai's financial crisis. The development was put on hold in 2008, due to the global financial meltdown of 2007-2008, but resumed in mid-2013. Updates in 2013 showed that $55 billion had been raised towards the works.
Some projects were cancelled, although Dubailand has since become the name of an entertainment district in Dubai where some of the planned projects for the Dubailand complex have opened. Other projects are being built and are planned to open in 2025.[2]
The Dubailand site office and showroom of the sales center, 7 March 2006
Dubailand was announced on 23 October 2003. It would have an area of 278 km2 (107 sq mi), twice the size of Walt Disney World, and comprise 45 "mega projects" and 200 sub projects.[3] Over the years, there were 22 projects under construction.[4] Dubailand was divided into six zones (worlds): Attractions and Experience World, Sports and Outdoor World, Eco-Tourism World, Themed Leisure and Vacation World, Retail and Entertainment World, and Downtown,[5] the largest collection of theme parks in the world.
The Sahara Kingdom theme park, situated in the Attractions & Experience World, would cover 460,000 m2 (4,951,399 sq ft) and would combine high end virtual and physical theme park rides, attractions such as a state of the art gaming zone, IMAX theater, and integrated live and virtual entertainment shows, together with a retail zone, four hotels and residential accommodations. The theme of the development was traditional Arabian folklore and the tales of One Thousand and One Nights.
In 2006, planning permission was granted for the Great Dubai Wheel, a 185-metre tall (607 ft) giant Ferris wheel with 30 passenger capsules, to be built and managed by the Great Wheel Corporation. It was expected to open in 2009, at a cost of over AED 250 million.[6] In January 2012, it was announced that the Great Dubai Wheel would not be built.[7]
On 1 May 2008, Tatweer announced the launch of Freej Dubailand. Freej Dubailand would boast hotels totalling 2,600 keys, and feature retail, food and beverage outlets, as well as a spectrum of entertainment attractions.[10]
On 2 May 2008, it was announced that the design and conceptual master plan for a MarvelSuperheroes theme park had been finalized, the first of its kind. It would have included 17 rides and attractions on a 4,500,000 sq ft (420,000 m2) development. It would also comprise nine retail outlets on an area of 30,000 sq ft (2,800 m2). Over 40 food and beverage outlets, including carts merchandising light refreshments, would be developed over 40,000 sq ft (3,700 m2).[11][12]
On 6 May 2008, Tatweer announced a strategic alliance with Merlin Entertainments Group to build a Legoland park in Dubailand. The project would have cost AED 912 million, occupy a total of 3,000,000 sq ft (278,709 m2), and would feature more than 40 interactive rides, shows and attractions geared towards families with children ages 2 to 12.[13]
At this point, Dubai Properties Group took over Dubailand from Tatweer. United States companies Six Flags and DreamWorks dropped out of their projects, losing interest in the site.
In September 2012, Dubai Properties Group announced the revival of the Mudon residential community project, estimating the completion of the project at around 18 months.[14]
Construction on the site resumed in early 2013, with the 72,000 square-meter Dubai Miracle Gardens opening at the beginning of March.[15] The adjacent 2,600 square-meter Dubai Butterfly Garden opened in 2015.[16]
