Dubai Parks begins construction of Six Flags theme park

Dubai Parks and Resorts has begun construction of its next theme park, a Dhs 2.6bn ($707.8m) attraction in partnership with US operator Six Flags.

The park, which is scheduled to open in 2019, will be the fourth at the company’s destination south of Dubai where it will open Hollywood themed motiongate, Bollywood Park Dubai and Legoland Dubai in October.

It will include 27 rides and attractions across six themed zones: Thrillseeker Plaza, Magic Mountain, Fiesta Texas, Great Escape, Great Adventure, and Great America.

These will be spread across an opening day area of 2 million square feet, with a further 1.5 million square feet available for expansion.

Dubai Parks said the attraction would feature at least three ‘world record breaking’ rides, with six roller coasters, four aerial attractions, a 340-metre rive rapids ride and three performance spaces.

It will also include attractions tailored for younger visitors, 16 food and beverage outlets and 16 retail outlets.

“We are delighted to announce that construction has commenced on the region’s first Six Flags branded theme park. This is the fourth theme park at our destination alongside Motiongate Dubai, Bollywood Parks Dubai and Legoland Dubai and it will help us strengthen the appeal of Dubai Parks and Resorts as a must visit destination in the region,” said Dubai Parks chief executive Raed Kajoor Al Nuaimi.

The company successful secured funding for the park through a Dhs 1bn loan and a Dhs 1.68bn rights issue earlier this year.

Read: Dubai Parks and Resorts raises Dhs 1.68bn for Six Flags park

Although it will be the first Six Flags park in the Gulf it is unlikely to be the only one after UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, who owns Dubai Parks’ parent company Meraas, gave Six Flags permission to break a regional exclusivity deal in Saudi Arabia.

Read: Saudi in talks to develop Six Flags theme parks in kingdom