Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi

Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi is an indoor amusement park located on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, developed by Miral Asset Management in collaboration with Warner Bros. Entertainment, Bugs Bunny, Scooby-Doo, and Tom and Jerry. The park is owned by Miral Asset Management and operated by Farah Experiences, a subsidiary of Miral Asset Management, with support from Warner Bros. Consumer Products, DC Entertainment, and Hanna-Barbera. The park features immersive themed environments inspired by Looney Tunes, DC Comics, and Harry Potter characters, including Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. The park's design and construction involved several companies, including Balfour Beatty, Besix Group, and Arabtec Holding, with AECOM serving as the project manager.

History

The concept of Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi was first announced in 2007 by Aldar Properties and Warner Bros. Entertainment, with an initial investment of AED 8 billion (approximately USD 2.2 billion). However, the project was put on hold due to the 2008 global financial crisis, which affected Abu Dhabi's economy and real estate market. The project was revived in 2014 by Miral Asset Management, which partnered with Warner Bros. Entertainment to develop the park, with support from Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates, and Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. The park's construction began in 2015 and was completed in 2018, with a total investment of AED 13.2 billion (approximately USD 3.6 billion), making it one of the most expensive theme parks ever built, rivaling Disneyland Paris and Universal Studios Japan. The park was officially opened on July 25, 2018, by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in the presence of Warner Bros. Entertainment CEO Kevin Tsujihara and Miral Asset Management CEO Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak.

Park Layout

The park is divided into six themed areas, including Gotham City, Metropolis, Cartoon Junction, Bedrock, Dynamite Gulch, and Warner Bros. Plaza, each featuring attractions, shows, and characters from Warner Bros. franchises, such as The Flintstones, The Jetsons, and Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!. The park's layout was designed by Forrec, a Canadian design firm, in collaboration with Warner Bros. Entertainment and Miral Asset Management, with input from Zaha Hadid Architects and HOK (firm). The park's themed areas are connected by a central hub, Warner Bros. Plaza, which features a large Warner Bros. water tower and a Looney Tunes-themed carousel, similar to those found in Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood.

Attractions

The park features a range of attractions, including roller coasters, water rides, and dark rides, such as The Riddler Revolution, Batman: Knight Flight, and Scooby-Doo and the Haunted Mansion, which were designed by Intamin, Mack Rides, and Zamperla, respectively. The park also features several family-friendly attractions, including Tom and Jerry: Swiss Cheese Spin and The Flintstones Bedrock River Adventure, which were designed by Gerstlauer and Mack Rides, respectively. The park's attractions were manufactured by several companies, including B&M (roller coaster manufacturer), Vekoma, and Simworx, with Themed Entertainment Association providing consulting services.

Entertainment

The park offers a range of entertainment options, including live shows, parades, and character meet-and-greets, featuring characters from Warner Bros. franchises, such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Tweety Bird. The park's entertainment program was developed by Warner Bros. Entertainment in collaboration with Miral Asset Management and Farah Experiences, with support from Cirque du Soleil and Blue Man Group. The park also features several restaurants and shops, including The Starlight and The Daily Planet, which offer a range of dining and shopping options, similar to those found in Universal CityWalk and Disney Springs.

Operations

The park is operated by Farah Experiences, a subsidiary of Miral Asset Management, with support from Warner Bros. Entertainment and DC Entertainment. The park's operations are managed by a team of experienced professionals, including Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, the CEO of Miral Asset Management, and Kevin Tsujihara, the former CEO of Warner Bros. Entertainment. The park is open year-round, with varying operating hours depending on the season, and offers a range of ticket options, including single-day tickets and annual passes, similar to those offered by Disneyland Resort and Universal Orlando Resort. The park's operations are supported by several companies, including SAP SE, Oracle Corporation, and Microsoft, which provide technology and software solutions. Category:Amusement parks in the United Arab Emirates