Construction work on the first Six Flags theme park in the Middle East has begun, with the $707 million attraction set to open in late 2019, Dubai Parks and Resorts has said.
The Dubai park will include 27 new rides and attractions spread across six themed zones – Thrillseeker Plaza, Magic Mountain, Fiesta Texas, Great Escape, Great Adventure and Great America – a statement from the developer explained.
The plans for Six Flags include three world-record breaking rides, six rollercoasters and a 350-metre River Rapids ride. Spread over 185,806sqm, the Six Flags park will have an additional 139,354sqm for future expansion.
Once complete, it will be the fourth theme park in the Dubai Parks and Resorts portfolio. The company is also behind a massive project scheduled to open in October this year, which includes the Motiongate Dubai, Bollywood Parks Dubai and Legoland Dubai theme parks.
The company – through its parent firm Meraas Holding – holds the exclusive rights to develop and operate Six Flags-branded theme parks across the GCC region.
There has been recent speculation that Saudi Arabia is in talks to build its own Six Flags theme park, as part of its plan to diversify its tourism offerings. Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salam met with the company’s executives during a recent trip to the US.
Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the owner of Meraas, has reportedly waived its right to exclusivity in Saudi Arabia, according to a Reuters report, a decision that may pave the way towards the development of a Six Flags park in the kingdom.
