Visitors may think they’re on the set of Stephen Spielberg’s latest "Jurassic Park" blockbuster
Visitors to the remarkable Restless Planet being developed in Dubai might think they’ve wondered onto the set of Stephen Spielberg’s latest Jurassic Park blockbuster.
The US$300 million part theme park, part earth science museum, and part planetarium within City of Arabia will house the world’s largest and most lifelike collection of animatronic dinosaurs.
The visitor experience will include a dramatic Big Bang portrayal of the Earth’s violent formation, and a heart-stopping roller coaster chase behind a pack of dromaeosaurs as they track an unsuspecting, lumbering edmontosaurus.
The spectacular nature of the Restless Planet is being revealed in detail for the first time tomorrow (Thursday) by one of the world’s leading visitor attraction experts.
Top American designer Jack Rouse is telling retail industry professionals in London that Restless Planet will be the star attraction of Mall of Arabia, one of the world’s largest malls and a key feature in the US$5 billion City of Arabia development. City of Arabia will have a phased opening starting towards the end of 2010 at the gateway to Dubailand.
Rouse is part of a team of world-renowned design experts currently working on Restless Planet, which will combine theatre, drama, a variety of spectacular, themed rides, shows and art for a unique edutainment experience.
Another member of the design team is Dr. Jack Horner, who was the real life inspiration for the book "Jurassic Park", and served as scientific consultant to Spielberg on three "Jurassic Park" movies.
Rouse is speaking on the opening day of the RLI Global Opportunities Conference 2008: Embracing Global Retail, at Wembley Stadium, London. City of Arabia is the platinum sponsor of the two-day international retail industry event.
His company, Jack Rouse Associates, has been hired as designers and executive producers for Restless Planet by Ilyas & Mustafa Galadari Group, owners of the 20 million square foot City of Arabia project which lies at the gateway to Dubailand.
Rouse is illuminating his conference address with a video which, for the first time, revealed the spectacular nature of main attractions designed to draw more than 10,000 visitors per day.
He said: "What makes Restless Planet so cool and truly one of a kind is that it is real science coupled with animatronics and theme park thrills, over-laid with dramatic effects and world-class production values."
"We’ll have more than 100 animatronic creatures, some 50 feet tall, combined with photo real, computer-generated imaging, dioramas and a litany of special effects. It will make visitors feel almost uncomfortably close to a variety of dinosaur species, and at times they’ll even get to feel they’re underwater, exploring dinosaurs of the deep."
His revelations on Restless Planet come, coincidentally, just days after scientists confirmed the first discovery of dinosaur footprints on the Arabian peninsula. They uncovered the tracks of a herd of 11 long-necked sauropods walking along a coastal mudflat in Yemen.
"While there are huge attractions at Restless Planet, there is also an interactive museum, because this is show biz and real science combined," said Rouse. "In between the thrills and excitement, visitors will have the chance to relax, investigate and learn more about these creatures that have always held endless fascination for us all.
"They’ll find answers to so many questions about dinosaurs. Like how fast were they?
Did they fly? How do you discover a fossil? What did they hunt? Who hunted them?
Were they social creatures? Did they live as a family unit? Were they really giants?"
Rouse said the exterior of Restless Planet will be a wonder in itself - a 246-foot-tall dome and a 500,000 square foot "cloud" building. The entrance to Restless Planet is via an enclosed glass bridge that connects to the Mall of Arabia’s second level.
About Mall of Arabia
With more than 1,400 retail outlets, each offering diversity and variety, two rooftop hotels, point of entry and departure for the Restless Planet dinosaur theme park, and waterfront al fresco dining and entertainment experiences for the entire family, Mall of Arabia is a unique retail resort and one of the four main elements of City of Arabia.
About City of Arabia
City of Arabia is a 20 million square foot development lying at the gateway to Dubailand and serves as its main residential and retail centre. With business and administrative offices, schools and clinics, supported by luxury apartments, shops, galleries, restaurants and unique attractions, City of Arabia will become a key destination and urban community within the new Dubai. The project will have a phased opening starting towards the end of 2010.
About Dubailand
Launched under the umbrella of Tatweer, a member of Dubai Holding, Dubailand is the world’s most ambitious tourism, leisure and entertainment project, catering to the needs of the entire family. The unique 3 billion sq. ft. development is projected to attract millions of tourists annually from around the world once fully operational.
A number of Dubailand projects are currently up and running, including Al Sahra Resort, Dubai Sports City and the Dubai Autodrome. The diverse projects under Dubailand include theme parks, eco-tourism projects, shopping malls, restaurants and residential units. Projects are being developed by a variety of dynamic investors from the UAE, GCC and overseas.
About IM Galadari Group
The Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group is a highly regarded, multi-faceted organisation based in Dubai. Its diversified business portfolio includes real estate development, agencies for overseas companies, hospitality, food storage, gems and jewellery, luxury yachts, automobiles and transport.
- Lindsay Johnston, Total Communications Dubai, also photos -
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