pianojohn Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 (edited) Just got back from the BIG announcement! BEC will be building 4 parks in Dubai with the first phase set to open in 2012. The entire project will be called Worlds of Discovery, and will consist of Sea World, Busch Gardens, Discovery Cove, and Aquatica. They are being constructed on one of the man made Palm islands. When the entire project is complete, it will resemble a giant killer whale. (See pics below!) There were not a lot of details about the parks and what attractions would be in each one, but it looks all very exciting. The official press release can be found here: WORLDS OF DISCOVERY PLANNED FOR NAKHEEL’S THE PALM JEBEL ALI IN DUBAI Busch Entertainment Corporation and Nakheel sign Memorandum of Understanding to develop four theme parks in the United Arab Emirates Orlando, Fla. (Feb. 28, 2008) – Busch Entertainment Corporation (BEC), the family entertainment division of Anheuser-Busch Cos., today announced an agreement with Nakheel PJSC, one of the world’s largest property developers, to create the Worlds of Discovery – SeaWorld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove – on The Palm Jebel Ali in Dubai. Worlds of Discovery will occupy a section of The Palm Jebel Ali known as “the Crown,” which will resemble a giant killer whale when reclamation work is complete. Nakheel’s plans for The Palm Jebel Ali, currently the world’s largest man-made island, also call for the development of commercial, residential and shopping districts, as well as resort hotels and restaurants. The Worlds of Discovery project will be phased and includes SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Discovery Cove and, the company’s newest theme park brand, Aquatica. Worlds of Discovery on The Palm Jebel Ali will also include a variety of other family activities, including resort hotels, spas, shops and restaurants. In addition to SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, plans call for the construction of a Discovery Cove similar to the park adjacent to SeaWorld Orlando in Central Florida. Discovery Cove in Orlando is an all-inclusive, reservations only park that features a variety of animal interactions and resort experiences, most notably swimming with bottlenose dolphins, rays and exotic fish. The first Aquatica, SeaWorld’s waterpark, opened this week in Orlando. Preliminary design work and site planning is underway, with the first phase expected to open in 2012. On to the pictures from today's event! This little otter did not want to stand still for his picture! Another furry friend LOVE this pic! Me and some more animals Polly was about to bite my nose off! Hmm..a relation to Yeti ball? Meet Armadillo ball! Just hanging around... On the way out, they had lots of animals for photo ops! This was was so cute! Desserts fit for an ACEr! Delicious! Free food? Sign me up! Thanks Shamu! Daytime fireworks The logos At the end, the three men came out for the finale. Worlds of Discovery Whale-Shaped Island in Dubai – (Feb. 28, 2008) – Worlds of Discovery - SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Discovery Cove and Aquatica - will soon have a home on a whale-shaped island located on “the Crown” of The Palm Jebel Ali in Dubai. The announcement was made today by Busch Entertainment Corporation (BEC), the family entertainment division of Anheuser-Busch Cos. and Nakheel PJSC one of the world’s largest property developers. Crowning Whale of Dubai - (Feb. 28, 2008) - Busch Entertainment Corporation (BEC), the family entertainment division of Anheuser-Busch Cos., today announced an agreement with Nakheel PJSC, one of the world’s largest property developers, to build the Worlds of Discovery – SeaWorld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove – on The Palm Jebel Ali in Dubai. Worlds of Discovery will occupy a section of The Palm Jebel Ali known as “the Crown,” which will resemble a giant killer whale. The resort! This pic was taken of the big screens. The next one is from the press packet. Mr. Marwan Al Qamzi More speeches. I didn't want to put the wrong name with the wrong picture. The four speakers were Jim Atchinson and joe Couceiro from BEC, Chris O'Donnell from Nakheel, and Marwan Al Qamzi, Managing Director of The Palm Jebel Ali. Nakheel is the property developer who is building the complex. They also included information about the company in the press packet. More speeches Several speakers from BEC were on hand. Shamu and friend came out to get our attention! That's right. Media. They had the huge BELIEVE screens up and running for the big annoucement. My escort Melissa who showed me to my seat in the Shamu stadium. Thanks! A couple of the local news stations were there too. Had to get a pic of the Shamu bug. Yeah for GPS! Almost there.... Hmm....I may need to get a new one soon with that mileage! Yup, that's my car. It's COLD here in Orlando, but I have my TPR shirt and I am ready to roll! Edited December 14, 2016 by larrygator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pianojohn Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Some more pics from the Nakheel press packet. Like I said, there were not a lot of details provided about the BEC parks, but the whole project is immense. Amazing The top of the palm is where Worlds of Discovery is going to be built. You can get a sense of the scope of this project from this picture. Hmm....wonder if Kumba or Griffon will make it to the UAE? Another pic of the area where Worlds of Discovery will be constructed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginzo Posted February 28, 2008 Author Share Posted February 28, 2008 (edited) Of course they didn't answer the real question: will these parks have free beer? Signs point to no. Nevertheless, a new Busch park is always a good thing. Edited December 14, 2016 by larrygator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OBXcoasterman Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 4 parks= yippee! However, I'm having trouble getting over the irony of building a man made island, then putting sea creatures in tanks on that island in the ocean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeelTheFORCE Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Great PTR! Garmins are awesome, I have one too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Top Thrill Dragster Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 I wonder what the theme for the Busch Gardens park will be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeemerBoy Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Very nice work, John. I'm trying really hard to be excited about this announcement, but until we hear the details about the BG park, it's all really "meh" to me. Sure, it's a bold move for BEC, and I'm sure it'll probably turn out well for 'em, but right now it just seems very "copy and paste." I hope I'm proven wrong, but I just see it as a third of what makes Central Florida unique and awesome will now also reside together in Dubai on a goofy looking man-made whale-shaped island. Yippie. Time will tell, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hercules Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 I wonder what the theme for the Busch Gardens park will be. Dubai? Very nice work here. I love the pictures. I'm not too excited about the opening of this, but it is great for the company I'm sure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Thanks for covering this for us John! I love all the pics of you with the animals! And you drive an Echo!?! Robb is so proud! I am really excited about this project. I just hope to get a better timeline at some point. When does Dubai run out of oil again? Maybe I should just wait for that year! It seems like amazing stuff is getting announced every day, yet nothing is actually done! TPR Middle East Trip WILL happen! (unless the World ends in 2012 as being discussed on the Random board) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haux Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Hopefully Dubai can actually sustain this park. It's growing faster than people are coming in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpengeist04 Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Thanks for PTR, great job. Looks like it will be nice, but I just can't get too excited over this. I would have much preferred announcements about new rides, new hotels, and overall park upgrades here in the US. Oh well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginzo Posted February 28, 2008 Author Share Posted February 28, 2008 TPR Middle East Trip WILL happen! (unless the World ends in 2012 as being discussed on the Random board) When you go, don't end up like this guy: http://www.voice-online.co.uk/content.php?show=13029 Lawyers for BBC Radio 1 DJ Grooverider, sentenced to 4 years jail for possessing ganja in Dubai, are to appeal. The DJ, whose real name is Raymond Bingham, was on his way to play at a nightclub in the United Arab Emirates when he was arrested at Dubai airport on November 23. Officials found 2.16 g of the drug which was said to have been accidentally left in the pocket of his trousers. Stupid, stupid laws in the UAE, but that guy was equally dumb for going against them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeemerBoy Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 TPR Middle East Trip WILL happen! (unless the World ends in 2012 as being discussed on the Random board) Now that you mention it, maybe this is what Nostradmus was referring to. Better yet, maybe somewhere he predicted it will be eaten by the whale-shaped island? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrowfanman Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Awesome coverage John, and great photos! That's actually pretty neat stuff! I'm totally looking forward to a TPR Middle East Trip! Although I'm pretty sure I have family in Dubai and I'd be disowned to go there for theme parks instead! -Jahan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 That whale-shaped island is going to make for some rather interesting park layouts. Thanks for sharing your photos of the event. Heck, I'd would've gone for the awesome food alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 ^You're our go to guy whenever they do announcements at BGW!!! And yeah, we wouldn't be stupid enough to break US and UAE laws when we go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParkTrips Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 This is awesome! That really is great news, yet another reason to visit Dubai! I never would have imagined four parks though, but I guess they are going all-out Dubai style Of course they didn't answer the real question: will these parks have free beer? Signs point to no. Why not? Westerners can consumer beer in Dubai, its the locals whom cannot Besides, its budweiser. If you want something that is free that tastes better, pee in your hand... Hopefully Dubai can actually sustain this park. It's growing faster than people are coming in. I think Dubai is growing pretty fast. I know Royal Caribbean is starting to cruise there too, and apparently the demand to go to Dubai is really high Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginzo Posted February 28, 2008 Author Share Posted February 28, 2008 Why not? Westerners can consumer beer in Dubai, its the locals whom cannot Giving out "free" beer is a big step beyond allowing very limited sale of it. This is a country that sentenced a pretty high profile entertainer to 4 years for 2 g of weed. Besides, its budweiser. If you want something that is free that tastes better, pee in your hand... Bud doesn't really taste like much of anything at all. If I want alcohol that tastes good, I'll drink wine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 That is INSANELY cool, I dread to think how much the company is paying for the land though... Making the palm islands is costing rather alot, although not as much had they been paying their labourers a decent wage.. Still, Dubai <33 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hercules Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 ^^^ Right, it is the locals that cannot drink. However, why would Busch put themselves through that kind of trouble? It would take extra time to, I guess, check I.D.'s and stuff like that. And imagine if a local got their hands on the beer, all hell would break loose. I'm not sure if the company would want to have that kind of liability on their hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParkTrips Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Giving out "free" beer is a big step beyond allowing very limited sale of it. This is a country that sentenced a pretty high profile entertainer to 4 years for 2 g of weed. Its not like giving out beer doesn't happen in that country. Besides, the customer is paying admission to get in. Bud doesn't really taste like much of anything at all. If I want alcohol that tastes good, I'll drink wine. there's good beer too. we have a whole thread devoted to it, and good beer is usually a lot cheaper than good wine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moose Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Maybe my company being bought out by one with a ton of work in Dubai isn't such a bad thing afterall. (It would actually be a good thing even without this) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groteslurf Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 I am really excited about this project. I just hope to get a better timeline at some point. When does Dubai run out of oil again? Maybe I should just wait for that year! It seems like amazing stuff is getting announced every day, yet nothing is actually done! Exactly ! How many themeparks are going to be in the Emirates once everything has been finished : Dubailand consisting of ?? themeparks (between 10 and 15 if I remember well) , 4 Seaworld parks, didn't Universal is going to build a park over there aswell, and I'm sure I forgot some announced parks now. But I don't see much progress in building let alone opening parks so far. I'm sure it's going to open, but when ? Once everything which has been announced actually is open, I'm 'afraid' you will need at least 3 weeks to visit all the parks. Btw, excellent report and pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginzo Posted February 28, 2008 Author Share Posted February 28, 2008 Its not like giving out beer doesn't happen in that country. Besides, the customer is paying admission to get in. A one off or annual event catering to a homogeneous crowd is distinct from a huge theme park catering to a mixed crowd. I'm still betting they at least won't be giving out CH3CH2OH for "free", even if they're told they can. there's good beer too. we have a whole thread devoted to it, and good beer is usually a lot cheaper than good wine In the interest of thread hijacking, I can think of several good wines in the $20 range, which puts you at a similar per serving cost as upper end beers, if you're talking $5+ bottles of Belgian stuff. Wine does have a much steeper upper end though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Come on guys...we don't even have opening dates or what these parks are getting. No reason to talk about whether or not they'll serve alcohol right now! Save it for 2012! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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