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29 March 2024

Tallest drop, fastest loop: Six Flags in Dubai

Published
By Parag Deulgaonkar

Will Dubai have the tallest drop ride in the world, the fastest and tallest looping coaster in the world, or the tallest swing carousel ride?

Well, we will come to know of that when the first Six Flags-branded theme park opens in the emirate by late 2017.

For now, Meraas Leisure and Entertainment, a subsidiary of Meeras Holdings and Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, the world's largest regional theme park company, have announced a tied up to build a theme park.

“The project is planned to open in late 2017 and will be located within the multi-themed park project in Jebel Ali,” the companies said in a joint statement.

"The cornerstone of our international expansion strategy has always been finding the right partner in the right location and, with Meraas in Dubai, we have done exactly that," said Jim Reid-Anderson, Chairman, Six Flags Entertainment.

"We are honoured to be working with this world-class organisation as the first significant strategic step taking the Six Flags brand to growing and successful markets outside North America."


Raed Al Nuaimi, Chief Leisure and Entertainment Officer, Meraas L&E, said: "We are delighted to have a world-leading theme park company and a brand like Six Flags on board. We are confident their presence will perfectly complement our project and further enhance our overall offerings in the leisure and entertainment space."

"As part of our commitment towards creating one-of-a-kind experiences and contributing towards the Dubai Tourism Vision 2020, our association with Six Flags will help us develop a world-class destination that redefines the industry and positively impacts the regional tourism sector."

Terms of the arrangement were not disclosed.

Meraas is already developing a Dh10-billion destination that focuses on delivering a multi-faceted leisure and entertainment experience to residents and tourists.

Located at Jebel Ali, the project will feature five distinct theme parks based on movies, animals and fun characters that shall appeal to all demographics. Dubai Adventure Studios, the first phase of the development plans for which were announced by Meraas in December 2011, will anchor the new destination.

The Themed Entertainment Association, in a 2013 report, said: “What’s happening in the Middle East, especially Dubai and Abu Dhabi, reflects the overall, worldwide return to a positive outlook in attractions markets.

“There is more optimism now, a lot of interesting projects being planned and expectation of future growth and expansion,” it said, adding the Middle East is unique because of its demographics as people are much younger there than in other markets.
The $1.1 billion Six Flags already has 18 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada.