- "As the largest regional theme park company in the world, we are dedicated to showcasing Six Flags Dubai as a world-class, one-of-a-kind theme park."
- ―John Odum[src]
Six Flags Dubai, originally Six Flags Dubailand, is a cancelled Six Flags theme park project that would have been located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates as the fourth park in the Dubai Parks & Resorts megaplex. The park was scheduled to open in late 2019.
After "Six Flags Dubailand" had already been planned and then cancelled once before under a partnership with Tatweer, Six Flags and DXB Entertainments announced in 2014 that they were going to revive the plans for the park, and incorporate it into the new Dubai Parks & Resorts megaplex as part of its second phase.
Construction began on July 3, 2016, and was halted two years later, with little progress shown. Following losses at both Six Flags and DXB Entertainments, the park was officially put "on hold" in October 2018, before being fully cancelled in April 2019.
History[]
Six Flags Dubailand[]
- "This is a historic day for our company. Expanding Six Flags beyond our current North American borders validates the growing strength and momentum of our brand. Through this partnership with Tatweer, we now have the opportunity to create a world-class theme park destination that will allow guests from around the globe to experience Six Flags' unique combination of thrills and entertainment."
- ―CEO Mark Shapiro's press statement on Six Flags Dubailand[src]
On March 4, 2008, Six Flags announced a partnership with Tatweer to build Six Flags Dubailand, a five million square foot theme park that would have been the first Six Flags theme park built outside of the United States. In the initial press release, Six Flags stated that the Wiggles and Tony Hawk would be among the brands and licenses represented at the park. Operation Spygirl, a show that had previously been at Six Flags Great America, had also been planned for the park. They also announced that Six Flags and Tatweer would continue their partnership to build other Six Flags theme parks and water parks across the region, as well as Six Flags branded restaurants, hotels, and retail locations.[1]
In Six Flags' 2010 Annual Report released on March 10, 2011, the company announced that they had terminated their agreement with Tatweer, due to a lack of payment to fund the park, therefore putting the project on hold indefinitely. The news came three years after the park's announcement, and no new developments about what it would be or when construction would commence, not even a scheduled opening date. This is likely due to Six Flags' 2009-2010 bankruptcy, and the subsequent reorganization of the company.
Six Flags Dubai[]
- "The cornerstone of our international expansion strategy has always been finding the right partner in the right location and, with Meraas in Dubai, we have done exactly that. We are honored to be working with this world-class organization as the first significant strategic step taking the Six Flags brand to growing and successful markets outside North America."
- ―Jim Reid-Anderson in a press statement on Six Flags Dubai[src]On April 10, 2014, Six Flags announced that they were partnering with Meraas to revive the cancelled Six Flags Dubailand project as "Six Flags Dubai", and incorporate it into a "multi-themed park project" that later became Dubai Parks & Resorts. Despite it being a revival of a cancelled international theme park project in the region of Dubai, it was still described as a "first step" to Six Flags' international expansion plan.[2]
On July 3, 2016, construction on Six Flags Dubai officially commenced. The park was announced to feature six themed zones set over 3.5 million square feet, including six roller coasters, four aerial attractions, a 350-meter river rapids ride, three performance spaces, sixteen food and beverage outlets, and sixteen retail outlets. [1]
On October 24, 2018, Six Flags announced that the future of Six Flags Dubai was "uncertain" due to losses at DXB Entertainments following low attendance at the other Dubai Parks & Resorts parks; LEGOLAND Dubai, Bollywood Park, and Motiongate Dubai. Funding from DXB for the park was "no longer available" due to these issues, and it was unable to resume construction. DXB Entertainments said the move came as a result of meetings had by the board of directors in August, saying in a statement that "In the intervening period, actions, including formal notification by Six Flags, resulted in funders’ concerns being raised specifically in relation to the revised projections for the Six Flags Dubai Project".[3]
On April 25, 2019, it was formally announced by DXB Entertainments that Six Flags Dubai was cancelled, citing that the park was not in its "best interests" of the company or its shareholders.[4]
Planned areas and attractions[]
All of Six Flags Dubai's attractions would have been divided into themed areas based on the United States, which were:
- Thrillseeker Plaza: The main hub of the park, with portals to the other sections. It would have contained a large promenade with a VIP mezzanine, space for private and catered events, as well as retail and dining.
- Magic Mountain: Named after Six Flags Magic Mountain and themed after the California desert.
- Fiesta Texas: Named after Six Flags Fiesta Texas and themed after the Old South.
- Great Escape: Named after Great Escape, with a similar theme to the park.
- Great Adventure: Named after Six Flags Great Adventure.
- Great America: Named after Six Flags Great America. It would have featured a wooden/steel hybrid coaster that strongly resembles Goliath.
In these areas, Six Flags Dubai was planned to have 27 different attractions, which would have included:
- Six roller coasters, one of which would have been the biggest in the world
- Four "aerial" attractions
- A 340-meter rapids ride, similar to Thunder River.
- Three entertainment venues
Videos[]
References[]
- ↑ Tatweer and Six Flags Announce Strategic Alliance to Develop Thrill Theme Parks in the Arab World and Beyond. Six Flags (March 4, 2008).
- ↑ Six Flags-Branded Theme Park to Open in Dubai. Six Flags (April 10, 2014).
- ↑ Young, Josh (February 7, 2019). BREAKING: Six Flags Dubai Officially Cancelled. Theme Park University.
- ↑ Nagraj, Aarti (April 25, 2019). Plans cancelled for Dhs2.6bn Six Flags Dubai theme park project. Gulf Business.
See also[]
- Six Flags Qiddiya, another project that is still under construction in the Middle East.
External links[]
- Six Flags Dubai official website (archived 2019-07-04)
- Six Flags Dubai at Wikipedia