Dubai Disneyland Surfaces Again

This is not an April Fools joke. Could Dubai Disneyland be back on? Certainly, the theme park oasis in that part of the world needs all the help it can get! Three parks so far and each only receiving less than a million guests in attendance. Something is seriously wrong, no matter how many people promote its excellence. The MOTIONGATE Dubai and Bollywood parks are not the draw they need to be. Six Flags dropped out of the game. Will Disney come to the rescue?

These honest-to-goodness Dubai Disneyland images are just astounding! Why? Favilli Studios, a long time firm where the principals used to be part of Imagineering, was contracted to do the work. If you take a good look at these pieces by enlarging them, you'll notice there's certainly a bit of Star Wars Land present in Tomorrowland as well as a not so subtle inclusion of California Adventure's incredible Cars Land.

Here's the now requisite hotel at the entrance or a series of uber expensive suites in Fantasyland at the castle itself. Perfect for fleecing those well-heeled guests of the Middle East. 

There's also a shiny, brand new version of Main Street U.S.A., and we thought Shanghai Disneyland was the first one to propose a changeout from the old standby "Vintage America" feeling park entrance. Was this another version of Mickey Avenue?

I was the first one to publicize this Dubai Disneyland concept art. But I was personally telephoned by the owners of the studios that produced it and asked to take it down. Apparently this series was created for a potential investment project of which Disney may or may not have been a partner. Now 5 years later, it is all over the internet, so here it is again- a small selection of many, many images I still hold onto.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company / Favilli Studios.)

Dubai Disneyland to the Rescue

After the collective thud heard world over due to the stunning lack of success of Dubai Parks and Resorts grand opening, could a brand new Dubai Disneyland back be on the table? 

In spite of all the freebie trips offered bloggers as well as traditional news sources, guests have not emerged in large masses to the resort. The earliest reviews were less than favorable. Sources from even kinder folks, such as Theme Park Insider, have returned to the old adage, "If you can't say something nice..." 

Bollywood Parks Dubai might be a fresh concept, but its not drawing in the crowds. Nor is Motiongate Dubai with its less than stellar attraction line-up. Check out on line photos for yourself.  Legoland could be a draw- I mean, who doesn't love the interlocking blocks that have taken over the world?

When a brand new resort discounts this soon after opening, the signs are not good. So, what are the investors to do? Reputations are fragile. A ton of investment is also on the line. Are they desperate enough? If so, well- it's time to call in the clear leader in themed entertainment: Disney.

Coming off a successful launch of Shanghai Disneyland as well as much hype of Avatar / Pandora and the upcoming Stars Wars Land and new additions using Marvel, The Walt Disney Company is in a pretty fine position to negotiate a sweet deal to being a Magic Kingdom to the Middle East. As you can see from the concept art above, Cars Land is a key element as is Star Wars and a whole new take on Main Street U.S.A. 

It wouldn't take too much time to reimagine a whole new world. All it takes is for someone to cry "Uncle"-  as in Walt.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)