Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Dubai World Marvel Super Heroes Theme Park Concept



Late 2007, United Arab Emirate-based Al Ahli Group and Marvel Entertainment, Inc. announced 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 Marvel Super-Heroes theme park project was supposed to open in 2011 with an investment of over $1 billion USD but apparently it seems that it will open now in 2012. I don't know yet if the Disney deal with Marvel changed anything in the project, let's hope not.

The creative team who designed the park, in this case not WDI Imagineers but great creative minds from around the globe is based in Hollywood, Orlando and Dubai throughout the development process. When the project was announced the press release said that "New technology and unparalleled visitor experiences will be the hallmark of the theme park creating a new standard for theme parks around the world".

Thanks to Randy, a Disney and more faithful reader whom i thanks a lot, i've found some great artwork of this awaited theme park. All of the concept-arts below were designed by the Chimera Design company who did an absolutely fantastic job as you will see. Unfortunately i don't have a lot of details about the rides but what we can see on the pictures give some indications.

Most of Marvel super-heroes will have their own attractions including the Fantastic Four, Hulk, Iron Man, X-Men, Silver Surfer and of course Spiderman in what will be probably a different ride than the Spiderman ride at Universal Islands of Adventure. Also, according to a a recent post of Brady Mac Donald of the L.A Times "Off-site testing has already begun on three of the planned attractions: "Flying with Spidey", "Fantasticar" and "X-Men: Danger Room".

The first picture above shows the entrance of the park. Below, a night view as well as the map of the park with the four lands "City of Super-Heroes", "Oasis of Magic", "Marvel's Mythic Mountain", "Nick Neighborhood" and "Crater Lake" at the center of the park. As you can see on the night view, many coasters are envisioned for the park.





Although it's strictly my own personal deduction, this next artwork shows very probably the "City of Super-Heroes" land - and yes, it's a "Wow!".



This next rendering is apparently showing the arrival in the "City"...



And, as we can check on the night view above this great building with the Fantastic Four logo is located at the entrance of the "City of Super-Heroes".



The artwork below shows a 3D (4D ?) movie attraction with all Marvel famous super-heroes.



This next artwork may show a show. Does someone recognize who is the character in the center of the picture?



On the next artwork, obviously a Spiderman attraction - probably the one called "Flying with Spidey" - Spiderman is fighting with the Green Goblin and Dr Octopus. As we can see on the picture, the guests are not seated inside a vehicle (like IOA Spiderman ride). It could be a simulator attraction...or a free fall one like the Tower of Terror...or something totally new!



But in this next ride where we can see the Electro character, guests ARE seated in a vehicle which very probably is moving inside a decor - could it be an attraction using the same technique "decor+3D rear projection" like in the IOA Spiderman ride?



In other areas of the park - probably in the "Oasis of Magic" land - guests will find lush vegetation.



Even with my talent for deduction, i really can't guess what the next artwork is showing. May be one of you will know?



This next artwork, according to the night view and the park's map probably shows the entrance of the "Nick Neighborhood" land.



Below, the incredibly spectacular entrance of the "Stark Laboratories" and the Iron Man attraction. Another big Wow! A closer look reveals a "Rocket Jets"-like attraction and a coaster-like attraction on the top of it.



The artwork below is obviously showing a free fall attraction ( Edited: Or may be it's a new type of coaster designed by Mauher & Sohne, see comment of a D&M reader below ) and it looks like it goes down right inside the water of Crater Lake! Is such a thing possible!?! Or may be there will be a tunnel? I know it's bloody hot all year long in Dubai, but having the guests totally soaked could be a bit extreme...!



EDITED 11/19: A kind D&M reader told me in his comment that an attraction "plunging" under water exist already in Japan (but with a roller coaster) and provided me a picture. The idea looks similar to the one they will probably use on the free fall ride above and i won't be surprised if it looks like the picture below.



What a great theme park concept, isn't it? I really think that Chimera Design who designed all the concept-arts you've seen above did a stunning job, don't you think so? Also, you can see more concept-arts for other projects they've worked on on the Chimera Design web site.

If everything looks like this in real when the park will be built, i'm ready to reserve my plane ticket for Dubai right now!


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All Marvel theme park artwork: copyright Chimera Design - Marvel Entertainment

38 comments:

  1. Another great post, Alain. I realy like the Crater Lake concept. It looks very well themed. I don't like the other 'lands' though. There is nothing 'magical' to Oasis of Magic, judging only from the concept art. Maybe when I think of 'magical', I think of Fantasyland designs a la Disneyland.
    I'm not a fan of Marvel, but the park looks nice! I'm wondering if and what will actually be built.

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  2. So this park would have three superhero lands, and then a Nickelodean land? Seems kind of random.

    More significantly, will construction really go ahead on this with Disney building a Nick land?

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  3. I'm surprised you're so excited for this Dubai park. After reading the article you posted about the slave labor of Dubai http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2009/05/why-disney-will-never-build-theme-park.html

    I've personally decided to never partake in anything that city ever has to offer.

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  4. I agree with you Brandon, but my excitement was about the quality of the concept. I think that Chimera Design - a Californian company - did a great design and that's what i salute. As for the conditions of worker in Dubai my opinion about it didn't changed, it's an absolute shame.

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  5. The coaster that goes into the water is a real concept that already has been realizes in Japan. Though I do not know where, I did find a picture of it.

    http://picdit.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/amazing-roller-coaster-picture.jpg

    I suppose the Marvel Park version will be on a much grander scale. But, yes, it is possible.

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  6. Looks terrific! While I like the Marvel area of IOA, I really hope this brings the characters/environments to life better than there.

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  7. What's with the Nick part? Hopefully they can change that to a Disney super hero section instead (ex. Incredibles).

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  8. the attraction on top of Stark Laboratories looks like the robo-coaster system.

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  9. Regarding the middle picture of ruins and what looks like statues holding that up. If zooms into the night overview shot. At the upper just left of the middle, you'll see what looks like a Roman/Greek Colosseum with lights and leaning pillars next to it. So this probably is an entrance to that show.

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  10. nice concept for a park, If it goes ahead my guess is that the builders will be paying Disney for royalties without Disney having to pay a dime for construction.

    What i ams surprised about is the random addition of nick section. what exactly that does have to do with Marvel.

    Nick os own by viacom

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  11. amazing concept art! thanks alain!

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  12. Wow what a stand you're taking against slave labor, "can't wait to get my plane ticket" huh? What a humanitarian. Walt would be proud.

    http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/the-dark-side-of-dubai-1664368.html

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  13. Okay, i have to be honest, when i wrote the article i was so excited by the park concept that i've totally forgot about these terrible workers condition in Dubai. That's the truth, and it's not because i have a short memory but mostly because running a website can be pretty exhausting, and like everybody when i'm exhausted my mind is not working perfectly well.

    But, between you and me and from what i've been told since i've posted this article, i'll be surprised if this park was finally built in Dubai, which on a humanitarian point of view would be a real good thing. I hope all of the concept won't be lost, though, and will be used in other places/parks where human beings are treated decently, as they should be.

    And, about your ironical "Walt would be proud..." , well, yes, precisely, i think Walt would be proud of me. Disney and more is a daily tribute to Imagineering and anything great which perpetuate Walt's legacy and i think that Walt would have loved Disney and more.

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  14. Love you blog, exiting to read.

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  15. The scene in the eighth picture looks like characters from James Cameron's new upcoming movie "Avatar".

    I'm very curious if this project will come alive someday - very interesting, especially today with all those news about the Dubai panic...

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  16. yeah, a relative of mine worked as an animator for disney early on, he tried to start a union, and got kicked out and blacklisted.

    magicland looks like something out of magic, the card game. it makes sense that it is middle eastern themed given the parks hypothetical location.

    the nick area appears to be spongbob heavy with what looks like an avatar area. which is great, cause avatar rules.

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  17. Make a great fifth gate at WDW once UO/IoA releases & replaces Marvel Super Hero Island.

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  18. That blue dude is Rama. Slumdog Millionare, son!

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  19. If you look closely at the vehicle on the Electro picture, it says Vaultsec on it. The Vault is a big supervillain prison in the Marvel universe, and Electro was involved in a big breakout that occurred a few years ago and started the New Avengers book. Perhaps this ride will cover those events?

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  20. Makes me sad that this won't be in America, as it great reduces the chances of me going at all. It would definitely only be once if I do go someday...

    The Roman/Greek ampitheater (if that is indeed what it is) is probably for some sort of "Planet Hulk" themed section, when Banner was sold into slavery and fought in a colesium as a gladiator.

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  21. Could the "Nick Neighborhood" be referring to Nick Fury? Maybe its a bad translation for a S.H.I.E.L.D. themed area?

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  22. I'm a little confused on who would found 100+ heat pleasurable for a theme park? I wouldn't travel across the ocean to go to a theme park. I think this would be great at Disney World as a new park there. There is plenty of open space to add more!

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  23. My guess would be that the unknown picture is Marvel Mythic Mountain. Perhaps something involving Thor and the Avengers, with the movies in development and all. I can make out Spidey there in the entrance.

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  24. I'm guessing that the other user is right and that's Planet Hulk/World War Hulk you're seeing there. The zoomed-in image shows a big meaty guy *holding up* the entrance, just to the left of center. Seems Hulky.

    My first thought when I saw it was "Genosha!" but I think Genosha would be all-metal.

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  25. The Japanese roller coaster in question does not go "into" the water. It goes in a tunnel and a fountain sprays water (away from the riders) to give the image of a splash. It is the best part of the ride. The ride is in Yokohama and is called "Vanish" (バニシュ or Banishu in Japanese) I found some more pics here: http://www.rcdb.com/1290.htm?p=0

    The wife and I enjoyed it. I would give it a 7 out of 10.

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  26. Opulently I acquiesce in but I think the collection should have more info then it has.

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  27. Good dispatch and this enter helped me alot in my college assignement. Thank you for your information.

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  28. I wish not concur on it. I think precise post. Specially the designation attracted me to review the sound story.

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  29. I'm not sure about this but I heard some rumor that Disney could end up owning the rights to this park because of the recent Marvel buyout. The deal was that Disney could own the rights to all Marvel attractions outside of Florida and Japan, and since this is Dubai, rumor is Disney could end up owning this park. It also said in an LA times article that this may be true.

    By the way, my blog is Disney Galaxy, if you want to check it out. This offers current Disney news including corporate news, ride/expansion announcements, theme park incidents, and Disney movie/entertainment news. Feel free to check it out if you want. I read this site a lot and really enjoy it!

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  30. this is the first time i've visited your blog and i love it already!

    this theme park looks amazing! i have a friend who works in dubai, so i might have to make a trip out there when it's done!

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  31. considering that mauer sohne is probably facing 3 lawsuits for fraudulent activities pertaining to the design and installation and failure of their coaster designs... i doubt highly that they will have a coaster design used in a park in dubai. if they do, then they had better not make half the mistakes they have made with their previous coasters thus far.

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  32. Hope the Marvel Character Thor is used more. Disney used the character in a short bit of their Elizabeth Shue Babysitter movie a few years back. Be interesting if they end up in Dubai? through association and ownership.

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  33. You know, I wouldn't be surprised if this became Walt Disney World Park No. 5. I honestly believe that will happen. I mean, the park being in Dubai seems nice, but I feel it would be best if Marvel and Disney made a fifth WDW park like this one. Also, I find really funny that SpongeBob and the Hulk are on the same building together. I was rolling on the floor laughing at that.

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  34. Hi
    Very nice and intrestingss story.

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  35. lol i think disney should buy the concept and build this a the 5 them parck of disney ( somwhere more for teen)

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  36. The roller coaster that goes into the water is at Yokohama Cosmoworld in Yokohama Japan.

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  37. Me and my friend were arguing about an issue similar to this! Now I know that I was right. lol! Thanks for the information you post.

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  38. Someone should contact disney and let them know about how much disney fans would like a 5th park on orlando to be disney/marvel themed like this or this actual one...

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