I think of this place as "Dubailand" instead of just "Dubai" partly because it is so spread out, and also because the license plates here have Dubai and then the Arabic for Dubai which looks a lot like "L---D" with some extra squiggles. But "Dubailand" or its all-caps version "DUBAILAND" technically is the name of just one part of the city, albeit a very large part. It refers to the plan for a massive development, along the lines of Disneyland but much more ambitious, encompassing 3 billion square feet(!), including theme parks, culture and art, science and planetariums, sports and sports academies, well being and health, shopping and retail, and resorts and hotels.
Right now most of DUBAILAND is still on paper, but the headquarters office (a mere 180,000 sq. ft.) is now open, according to a message from CEO Mohammed Al Habbai on the DUBAILAND website. Visitors are invited to view a mini-DUBAILAND scale model (3,200 sq. ft.) and marvel at the two beautiful Bengal tigers which roam in the enclosed grounds. Seeing the tigers might be worth a visit in itself! I assume the project is on hold until the economy picks back up. I met an Aussie earlier this year who had been laid off from DUBAILAND but found a new job working for Sega Republic, which has a new theme park now open in the Dubai Mall.
Right now most of DUBAILAND is still on paper, but the headquarters office (a mere 180,000 sq. ft.) is now open, according to a message from CEO Mohammed Al Habbai on the DUBAILAND website. Visitors are invited to view a mini-DUBAILAND scale model (3,200 sq. ft.) and marvel at the two beautiful Bengal tigers which roam in the enclosed grounds. Seeing the tigers might be worth a visit in itself! I assume the project is on hold until the economy picks back up. I met an Aussie earlier this year who had been laid off from DUBAILAND but found a new job working for Sega Republic, which has a new theme park now open in the Dubai Mall.
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