Marvel theme park in middle east

[Still A ThorFan]

MARVEL ANNOUNCES THEME PARK IN DUBAI
Press Release

United Arab Emirate-based Al Ahli Group and Marvel Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: MVL) announced today a partnership that will bring Marvel's full library of Super Heroes -- including Spider-Man, Iron Man, The X-Men, Incredible Hulk, The Fantastic Four and Silver Surfer -- to Dubai for a major new theme park destination being developed by AAG. The development is in line with the vision set by HH Shk. Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, through his innovative entertainment and hospitality driven expansion projects for Dubai and the UAE.

The Al Ahli Group, under the leadership of Chairman Nasser Ali Khammas and driven by the idea and dedication of CEO Mohamed Khammas, is poised to bring the region's first and only global theme park destination directly to the heart of the Emirates. AAG and Marvel are also in initial stages of discussions about additional projects throughout the greater Pan Arabia region.

AAG has been in discussions for more than two years with the owners of the world's top intellectual properties in the entertainment arena and is extremely proud of its new long-term partnership with the world renowned Marvel brand. The Project will open in 2011 with a direct investment of over $1 billion USD. The creative team, which consists of some of the most spectacular creative minds from around the globe, will be based in Hollywood, Orlando and Dubai throughout the four year development process. New technology and unparalleled visitor experiences will be the hallmark of the theme park, creating a new standard for theme parks around the world.

David Maisel, Chairman of Marvel Studios and a member of the Office of the Chief Executive, Marvel Entertainment, said, "We are launching a long term relationship with the Al Ahli Group to bring the Marvel Universe to Dubai with this exciting new theme park development. Al Ahli Group has both an impressive team of theme park, entertainment and hospitality executives and the financial strength to leverage that expertise into a world-class destination resort experience unparalleled in the region. We are very pleased to be a part of this exciting initiative and look forward to a successful partnership with Mohamed Khammas and the Al Ahli Group."

Mohamed Khammas, CEO of Al Ahli Group commented "Al Ali Group's partnership with Marvel Entertainment serves a long pursued quest of creating the ultimate entertainment destination for families and children of the region and the world, a destination where they can live their childhood fantasies and create new memories for the entire family to cherish and remember. Family destinations have not evolved in Pan Arabia and thus it's time that we cater to that demand and make the investment required for global tourism.

"Marvel is a brand that is recognized globally via its ever expanding list of 'Super Hero' characters. Now, it won't be much longer until the children in Pan Arabia and the world can experience new and exciting rides with Marvel's Spider-Man, the Incredible Hulk, the Fantastic Four and many other Super Heroes right here in the UAE.

"This partnership is a result of the appreciation and loyalty that Marvel has internationally, and was realized through the dedication and management of the Marvel team led by my friend David Maisel. Without his personal efforts and dedication, it would have been a long time before the world would be able to experience the Marvel Super Heroes in what we aim to be the best entertainment destination in the world. In 2011, Spider-Man and the rest of the Marvel Super Heroes will set their first steps in Dubai."

 

[Still A ThorFan]

I can't imagine the number of terrorist attacks that are going to take place at that park. It is bad enough we have our troops in Iraq, now we want to put our entertainment properties in the most violent part of the world? Not a good idea. Why don't they put a park in L.A, Chicago, Detroit, or NY?

F'n middle east, good grief. I wonder how the Captain America roller coaster is going to fit in with those people.

 

[deathshead2]

I find this very strange? Why there? Why not just expand universal or something with more Marvel rides?

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Someone on Newsarama mentioned that Marvel's comics are apparently even more popular in the Middle East than they are in the US. Seems weird, but if that's true, it makes sense for Marvel to try and connect with that audience more.

 

[Kitsune]

I noticed they didn't mention any "Captain America" rides....

 

[arachnid-guy]

Ugh.

Marvel Comics has now gone the 'Disney' way.

Shameful marketing to profit.

What ever happened to 'just comics?'




Next I assume it's going to be 'EURO MARVEL WORLD' [with no european heroes- only the US ones.]

 

[bkhedr]

I can't imagine the number of terrorist attacks that are going to take place at that park. It is bad enough we have our troops in Iraq, now we want to put our entertainment properties in the most violent part of the world? Not a good idea. Why don't they put a park in L.A, Chicago, Detroit, or NY?

F'n middle east, good grief. I wonder how the Captain America roller coaster is going to fit in with those people.

Number of terrorist attacks that have ever taken place in the UAE: Zero
Number of terrorist attacks that have been performed by white Americans in America: Alot more than zero

You are so ignorant. Do some research

New York wishes it was Dubai.

F'n middle east?

Its ignorant thinking like that has put your troops in Iraq where they have no business being. Its not like the Iraqis asked for them.

Now onto the Park

Its a great Idea. Dubai, for the clueless, is basically a magical happy land made of money. You name it, and Dubai has the biggest and best of it. They are very modern, very progressive, and its great for Marvel to get in there. The park will be a huge success and will make a fortune

 

[yenaled]

You know the UAE isn't a very Middle Eastern country it's very "western" and a popular tourist destination (especially Dubai) with more and more western people emigrating there each year to live. I'm sure Marvel will make a lot of money out of putting a park in a place like that rather than in the dying tourist areas in America or Europe.

Don't hear Middle East and just think terrorist warzone.

 

[bkhedr]

Someone on Newsarama mentioned that Marvel's comics are apparently even more popular in the Middle East than they are in the US. Seems weird, but if that's true, it makes sense for Marvel to try and connect with that audience more.

I grew up in the UAE and we all brought comics to school. Comics were all we talked about. You could buy them anywhere.

I had a collection of almost 1000 marvel comics long before I ever set foot out of the middle east.

And that was 15 years ago before they had comic book store.

In the UAE there are huge comic book stores. The rest of the middle east is quite up to speed yet but comics are still very popular. In egypt they are even reprinted in Arabic.

 

[vibeke_T]

that is absolutely insane

 

[Darthphere]

From what I hear, Dubai is beautiful, but I wouldn't be caught dead going to the Middle East at this point.

 

[bkhedr]

Dude that's like there being a hurricane in Florida and someone saying they wouldnt go to the U.S. because of all those hurricanes.

I work in Egypt. Its in the Middle East Its beautiful, its peaceful, and its full of westerners.

The same applies to most of the middle east.

 

[Darthphere]

Dude that's like there being a hurricane in Florida and someone saying they wouldnt go to the U.S. because of all those hurricanes.

I work in Egypt. Its in the Middle East Its beautiful, its peaceful, and its full of westerners.

The same applies to most of the middle east.

I live in Florida.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Me, too. My area hasn't really been affected by any hurricanes in years.

 

[bkhedr]

Edit

 

[bkhedr]

ummm

well don't worry..you're still more likely to be killed by a car

Seriously though, my parents have a timeshare in Orlando and I've been there a few times. I love florida

 

[bkhedr]

Me, too. My area hasn't really been affected by any hurricanes in years.

Kinda like how most of the middle east doesnt have any terrorism issues.

This example is really working out for me t:

 

[Darthphere]

Kinda like how most of the middle east doesnt have any terrorism issues.

This example is really working out for me t:

Man, wait til celldog gets here.

Either way, I dont have the money on me to travel down the street, yet alone Dubai.

 

[Mara Jane]

Well, paint me jealous. And I live in Orlando, where we have Marvel Superhero Island as part of Universal's Islands of Adventure. I wish this was in a place that was not so cost prohibitive to travel. I've heard that Dubai is a beautiful place, but it caters to really wealthy tourists and foreign investors. I do hope the locals can enjoy (and afford) it... Sounds like comics are popular there.

 

[bkhedr]

They are very popular

And you're right Dubai is for the uber wealthy

The locals can enjoy it though because they are uber wealthy.

In fact, there are no taxes in the UAE because they have so much oil money

 

[bkhedr]

Man, wait til celldog gets here.

Either way, I dont have the money on me to travel down the street, yet alone Dubai.

Celldog's not so bad if you reason with him and explain to him why his view and bigotry go hand and hand. To be fair, he's been downright politically correct when I've asked nicely

I'm waiting for ThorFan to get back so I can work on his bigotry

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

Ugh.

Marvel Comics has now gone the 'Disney' way.

Shameful marketing to profit.

What ever happened to 'just comics?'




Next I assume it's going to be 'EURO MARVEL WORLD' [with no european heroes- only the US ones.]

FYI: Dc comics has been in parnership with Six Flags theme parks for many, MANY years.

The Superman roller coaster in Atlanta is one of the top 10 coasters in the USA, iirc.

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

Well, paint me jealous. And I live in Orlando, where we have Marvel Superhero Island as part of Universal's Islands of Adventure. I wish this was in a place that was not so cost prohibitive to travel. I've heard that Dubai is a beautiful place, but it caters to really wealthy tourists and foreign investors. I do hope the locals can enjoy (and afford) it... Sounds like comics are popular there.

I go to Islands Of Adventure every year.

It rules.

 

[Electro UK]

I find this very strange? Why there? Why not just expand universal or something with more Marvel rides?

Since Dubai's main industry is in oil, they want to be prepared for when it runs out, so what thy've done is to make the country the best tourist destination in the world. My Dad went there on work a few weeks back. It's VERY popular so this is no surprise.

They have the worlds only 7 star hotel there, with a tennis court that's actually leaning out over the side on the building etc. It really is a fantastic country.

 

[GNR]

I can't imagine the number of terrorist attacks that are going to take place at that park. It is bad enough we have our troops in Iraq, now we want to put our entertainment properties in the most violent part of the world? Not a good idea. Why don't they put a park in L.A, Chicago, Detroit, or NY?

F'n middle east, good grief. I wonder how the Captain America roller coaster is going to fit in with those people.

You're clueless aren't you?

Dubai is one of the most prestigious cities in the east.It's a popular vacation destination with resorts,indoor ski facilities and the whole shabang.