5 min
In the fantastical world of "Dragon Ball," the epic Japanese manga and anime that everyone's really obsessed with, the heroes were on a mission for seven magical balls that can summon a dragon granting wishes.
And guess what? It looks like that dreams do really come true in real life.
Kamehameha wave! — soon in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Watch out, world! Get ready to live out your anime dreams and turning those manga pages to the real world as a Dragon Ball-inspired theme park is on its way--- in Riyadh. Yes, you read it right. The city is getting its own theme park: thanks to Qiddiya Investment Co. (QIC), the real estate developer that backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. How's that for turning fiction into reality?
Spanning a whopping half a million square meters, this park, according to the official Dragon Ball website, will boast over 30 epic rides. And get this – one of them is a roller coaster zooming through a towering 70-meter dragon structure inspired by none other than Shenron, the wish-granting dragon himself!
Here’s a teaser from Qiddiya, the investment company behind this gigantic project:
Play a role in the epic sagas at #dragonball theme park, coming to the World's first city built for play 🐉🔮#QiddiyaCity pic.twitter.com/ESRC7ToQxl
— Qiddiya (@qiddiya_en) March 22, 2024
Looks like QIC and Toei Animation, the Japanese producer of Dragon Ball are teaming up for the ultimate power move for this project – a long-term strategic partnership! A real and some serious Saiyan-level synergy as they bring the world of Dragon Ball to life in ways we will never imagine.
In a twist of fate, the theme park announcement coincides with the 40th anniversary of the original Dragon Ball manga. Adding to the whirlwind, it arrives shortly after the passing of Dragon Ball's visionary creator, Akira Toriyama, so fans and industry insiders worldwide unite to honor his incredible legacy.
Here’s the bigger catch: Qiddiya's cooking up something big near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's capital isn’t just about Dragon Balls and power levels, though. Nope, it's all part of Saudi's plan to shake things up and diversify its economy beyond oil. Talk about a super saiyan-sized leap into the future!
But not everyone's doing the fusion dance of joy about it, because while some fans are charging up for the theme park fun, others are raising their power levels on social media, questioning why this epic attraction landed in Saudi Arabia. There might be questions about cultural adaptation and how the theme park will resonate with audiences in Saudi Arabia and beyond. Because Dragon Ball's themes of friendship, perseverance, and the pursuit of strength are definitely universal --- but it will be interesting to see how they are interpreted within the context of Saudi culture.
But hey, picture this: What if the Dragon Ball theme park got the green light for construction in Dubai? Yes, in this vibrant city located in the UAE — Maybe it’d be like unleashing a spirit bomb of excitement in the heart of the desert!
Dubai has a track record of constantly pushing the boundaries when it comes to tourism and entertainment. The city is known for its ambition and ability to execute grand projects, often on a scale that surpasses expectations. And as we all know, Dubai has successfully developed iconic attractions like the Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, and a plethora of theme parks such as IMG Worlds of Adventure, Dubai Parks and Resorts, and Wild Wadi Waterpark.
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Because Dubai's tourism authorities and developers are adept at identifying emerging trends and creating unique experiences to attract visitors.
While Saudi Arabia's Dragon Ball-themed theme park may capture attention in the short term, Dubai has the potential to introduce equally captivating and innovative attractions to maintain its status as a global tourism leader.
While Dubai may have missed out on hosting the first Dragon Ball theme park, its tourism industry remains dynamic and adaptable, with the capacity to continue offering unparalleled experiences that appeal to a diverse range of travelers.
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Dubai's got its eyes locked on Riyadh for the upcoming Dragon Ball theme park extravaganza! It's an ambitious project that has the potential to create a memorable and immersive experience for fans of all ages, and we are definitely eager to see how it unfolds, as it's like the ultimate showdown between two powerhouse cities in the world of entertainment.
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