Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi Explained

Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
Alt:Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi logo, gold shield with a blue inner section containing the letters "WB" in gold writing. Under the shield are the words "Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi"
Location:Yas Island
Location2:Abu Dhabi
Location3:United Arab Emirates
Coordinates:24.4909°N 54.5994°W
Theme:Warner Bros.
Owner:Miral under a license from Warner Bros. Entertainment (Warner Bros. Discovery)
Operator:Miral Experiences LLC
(Miral LLC)
Season:Year-round
Rides:29
Coasters:2

Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi is the world's second largest indoor theme park in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, owned and developed by Miral at a cost of $1 billion.[1] The park features characters from Warner Bros.'s franchises, such as Looney Tunes, DC Comics, Hanna-Barbera, and others. The park is located on Yas Island near Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld and CLYMB Abu Dhabi, and is the third Warner Bros. theme park.[2] The WB Hotel is the first Warner Bros. themed hotel and is located adjacent to the theme park. The park contains 29 rides, and several shows.

History

Plans for the park began in 2007, but were halted by the Great Recession. Warner Bros. had signed a development contract with Aldar Properties in that year.[1] [3]

In May 2015, Miral signed the general construction contract with Belgian contractor Six Construct, thus resuming construction that year. On April 19, 2016, Miral and Warner Bros. announced plans for the park's first phase to open in 2018.[2]

Miral announced in February 2017 that ride delivery and installation had begun with many of the 29 rides being tested.[4] On April 25, 2017, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Miral announced that the park was on schedule at 60% completion, and revealed information about its six themed lands.[5]

On July 24, 2018, the park was inaugurated by Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and the then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan now the UAE president.[6]

On November 10, 2022, a Harry Potter themed land was announced to be coming to the park.[7]

Design

The theme park is indoor and fully air-conditioned, as is typical of most major theme parks in the region due to the extreme heat in the summer. Standing at, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi was named the world’s largest indoor theme park by Guinness World Records in 2019, though this has since been surpassed by Chimelong Spaceship in Hengqin, Zhuhai, China.[8] [9]

The facade features a 61adj=midNaNadj=mid tower inspired by the iconic Warner Bros. Water Tower in Burbank, California. The theme park was designed by Thinkwell Group.

Layout

Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi features six themed lands; Gotham City, Metropolis, Cartoon Junction, Bedrock, Dynamite Gulch and Warner Bros. Plaza. Gotham City and Metropolis are based on the fictional settings of DC Comics superheroes Batman and Superman, respectively, with attractions and live performers featuring costumes based on The New 52's character designs. DC Comics superheroes Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, Warner Bros.'s Looney Tunes and Hanna-Barbera cartoon libraries are represented in Dynamite Gulch and Cartoon Junction, along with Bedrock, which is themed around The Flintstones. Warner Bros. Plaza is meant to mimic the Hollywood of the past.[10]

Rides[11]

Bedrock

Dynamite Gulch

Cartoon Junction

Gotham City

Metropolis

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Warner Bros theme park to open on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island in 2018. The National. April 20, 2016. January 27, 2017.
  2. Web site: Warner Bros. theme park in Abu Dhabi set to open in 2018. April 19, 2016. Los Angeles Times. January 27, 2017.
  3. News: Anstey. Tom. Work starts on 'multi-billion dollar' Warner Bros theme park development in Abu Dhabi. 27 April 2017. Attractions Management. Leisure Media Company Ltd. 16 July 2015.
  4. News: Testing for rides at Warner Bros Abu Dhabi theme park almost complete. April 27, 2017. The National. Abu Dhabi Media. February 28, 2017.
  5. News: McNary. Dave. Warner Bros. Unveils Metropolis and Gotham City for Abu Dhabi Theme Park. April 27, 2017. Variety. April 25, 2017.
  6. News: Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi on Yas Island Inaugurated by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. https://web.archive.org/web/20181018152815/https://www.warnermediagroup.com/newsroom/press-releases/2018/07/24/warner-bros-world-abu-dhabi-on-yas-island-inaugurated-by-sheikh. dead. October 18, 2018. October 18, 2018. Press Release. WarnerMedia. July 24, 2018.
  7. Web site: Miral and Warner Bros. Discovery Announce Harry Potter Themed Land Coming to Abu Dhabi's Yas Island . November 10, 2022 . January 19, 2023.
  8. Web site: WB World Abu Dhabi named world's largest indoor theme park by Guinness World Records. blooloop.com . 17 December 2019. 2021-09-01.
  9. Web site: Largest indoor theme park Records. guinessworldrecords.com . 16 September 2023. 2024-06-11.
  10. News: Lodderhose. Diana. Warner Bros To Build Gotham City & Metropolis For $1B Abu Dhabi Theme Park. April 27, 2017. Deadline. Penske Business Media, LLC. April 25, 2017.
  11. Web site: Rides & Attractions. wbworldabudhabi.com . 2021-09-01.
  12. Web site: Places To Visit in Dubai. thingstododubai.com . 2021-08-11.