Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi

Last updated
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi logo.jpg
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi logo
Location Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Coordinates 24°29′27″N54°35′58″E / 24.49089°N 54.59936°E / 24.49089; 54.59936
Opened25 July 2018;5 years ago (2018-07-25)
Owner Miral under a license from Warner Bros. Entertainment (Warner Bros. Discovery) miral.ae
Operated byMiral Experiences LLC
(Miral LLC)
Theme Warner Bros.
Operating seasonYear-round
Area1,650,000 square feet (153,000 m2) [1]
Attractions
Total29
Roller coasters2
Website www.wbworldabudhabi.com

Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi is the world's largest indoor theme park in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, owned and developed by Miral at a cost of $1 billion. [2] 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. [3] 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. [4]

Contents

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. [2] [5]

In May 2015, Miral signed the general construction contract with Belgian contractor Six Construct, thus resuming construction that year. [2] On April 19, 2016, Miral and Warner Bros. announced plans for the park's first phase to open in 2018. [3]

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. [1]

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 1,650,000 square feet (153,000 m2), Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi was named the world’s largest indoor theme park by Guinness World Records in 2019. [8]

The facade features a 61-metre-tall (200 ft) 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. [9]

Rides [10]

Bedrock

Dynamite Gulch

Cartoon Junction

Gotham City

Metropolis

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gotham City</span> Fictional city in the DC Universe, best known as the home of Batman

Gotham City, or simply Gotham, is a fictional city appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, best known as the home of the superhero, Batman, and his allies and foes. Created by writer Bill Finger and artist Bob Kane, the city was first identified as Batman's place of residence in Batman #4 and has since been the primary setting for stories featuring the character.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metropolis (comics)</span> Fictional city in the DC Universe, best known as the home of Superman

Metropolis is a fictional city appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, best known as the home of Superman and his closest allies and some of his foes. First appearing by name in Action Comics #16, Metropolis is depicted as a prosperous and massive city in the Northeastern United States, in close proximity to Gotham City. In recent years, it has been stated to be located in New York.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parque Warner Madrid</span> Theme park southeast of Madrid, Spain

Warner Park Madrid is a theme park located 23 km (14 mi) southeast of Madrid, Spain, in the municipality of San Martín de la Vega. The park opened as Warner Bros. Movie World Madrid/Warner Bros. Park Madrid on 6 April 2002 and was owned by numerous Spanish investment groups, with Six Flags operating the park as part of the deal. In November 2004, the management arrangement with Six Flags was terminated, with the name change to Parque Warner Madrid occurring at the start of 2006.

<i>Batman</i> (franchise) Franchise based on DC Comics character, Batman

The DC Comics character Batman has been adapted into various media including film, radio, television, and video games, as well as numerous merchandising items. The Batman franchise has become one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time.

Amusement rides and stunt shows themed to the Batman franchise its derivative elements are commonly found at Warner Bros. and Six Flags amusement parks across the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abu Dhabi</span> Capital of the United Arab Emirates and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It is also the capital of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the centre of the Abu Dhabi Metropolitan Area. Abu Dhabi is the UAE's second-most populous city after Dubai.

Through its history, Hanna-Barbera has operated theme park attractions, mostly as a section in Kings Island, Carowinds, California's Great America, Kings Dominion, Canada's Wonderland, and, recently, Six Flags Great America.

Abu Dhabi Media Network is the official media organization of the Government of Abu Dhabi. The organization was established in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Batman Adventure – The Ride</span> Series of Batman-themed rides

Batman Adventure: The Ride is the name for a series of Batman-themed motion simulator rides installed at various Warner Bros.-branded parks around the world. The ride was first installed at Warner Bros. Movie World on the Gold Coast, Australia in 1992, before being installed at Warner Bros. Movie World in Bottrop, Germany and Parque Warner Madrid in Madrid, Spain in 1996 and 2002, respectively. The installations in Australia and Spain later closed in 2011 and 2014, respectively. The ride is still operating today at the German park, but the theme has been changed from Batman to the generic "Time Riders" after the park lost its Warner Bros. licenses in 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yas Island</span> Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Yas Island is an island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It occupies a total land area of 25 km2 (9.7 sq mi). It is a leisure island and one of the largest tourism projects in Abu Dhabi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justice League: Alien Invasion 3D</span> Dark ride at Warner Bros. Movie World

Justice League: Alien Invasion 3D is an interactive dark ride created by the Sally Corporation that is located at Warner Bros. Movie World on the Gold Coast, Australia. It opened on 22 September 2012 and requires riders to shoot their laser blasters at targets in order to defeat an alien threat. The ride is touted as the world's first Justice League-themed ride and the first ride of its type to feature 3D projections. Justice League: Alien Invasion 3D has been well received with many praising the ride's special effects and immersive theming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi</span> Waterpark in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi is an Emirati-themed waterpark located on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, that is home to 45 rides, slides, and attractions, and various seasonal events and shows. The waterpark is just minutes away from Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and CLYMB Abu Dhabi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warner Bros. Studio Tours</span> Public attractions

Warner Bros. Studio Tours are a pair of public attractions owned and run by Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SeaWorld Abu Dhabi</span> Amusement park in the United Arab Emirates

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is a marine life theme park and animal researching, rescue & rehabilitation center that opened on May 23, 2023 on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It is the first SeaWorld park outside of the United States and the first park without orcas. The Abu Dhabi-based company Miral Asset Management is the owner and operator of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi under a license from United Parks & Resorts.

Warner Bros. Discovery Global Brands and Experiences is one of Warner Bros. Discovery's major business segments and divisions. It was founded in September 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The WB Abu Dhabi</span> Building

The WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection By Hilton is a seven-story hotel in Abu Dhabi to accompany Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. The hotel have 156 rooms, and 156 serviced apartments, with all the rooms being themed to Warner Bros. properties like Looney Tunes and DC Comics. The hotel was originally expected to open by 2020, but in December 2019 it was announced that the hotel would open in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warner Bros. Plaza</span>

Warner Bros. Plaza is a themed land at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. The area is inspired by the 1930s Golden Age period of Hollywood and hosts attractions themed to this concept, including The Starlight restaurant, and the Cinema Spectacular show. The Warner Bros. Plaza features tall golden and turquoise Pueblo Deco skyscrapers, as well as a ceiling that is a projection of the sky. At night the ceiling projects fireworks throughout the Plaza as well as the other lands.

Gotham City is a themed land at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, as well as various Six Flags parks. The area is inspired by the dirty industrial city portrayed in Batman comics, and hosts attractions themed to this concept, including Batman's Night Flight, and The Joker Funhouse. Gotham City features dark imposing warehouses, and faux crumbing amusement park rides.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CLYMB Abu Dhabi</span> Indoor adventure hub

CLYMB Abu Dhabi is an indoor adventure hub in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, owned and developed by Miral Asset Management. It is managed and operated by Miral Asset Management LLC. The adventure hub has two Guinness World Records and is located on Yas Island near Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi.

References

  1. 1 2 McNary, Dave (April 25, 2017). "Warner Bros. Unveils Metropolis and Gotham City for Abu Dhabi Theme Park". Variety. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 "Warner Bros theme park to open on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island in 2018". The National. April 20, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Warner Bros. theme park in Abu Dhabi set to open in 2018". Los Angeles Times. April 19, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2017.
  4. 1 2 "Testing for rides at Warner Bros Abu Dhabi theme park almost complete". The National. Abu Dhabi Media. February 28, 2017. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  5. Anstey, Tom (16 July 2015). "Work starts on 'multi-billion dollar' Warner Bros theme park development in Abu Dhabi". Attractions Management. Leisure Media Company Ltd. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  6. "Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi on Yas Island Inaugurated by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed". Press Release. WarnerMedia. July 24, 2018. Archived from the original on October 18, 2018. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  7. "Miral and Warner Bros. Discovery Announce Harry Potter Themed Land Coming to Abu Dhabi's Yas Island". November 10, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  8. "WB World Abu Dhabi named world's largest indoor theme park by Guinness World Records". blooloop.com. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  9. Lodderhose, Diana (April 25, 2017). "Warner Bros To Build Gotham City & Metropolis For $1B Abu Dhabi Theme Park". Deadline. Penske Business Media, LLC. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  10. "Rides & Attractions". wbworldabudhabi.com. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  11. "Places To Visit in Dubai". thingstododubai.com. Retrieved 2021-08-11.