This place will make WDW, in fact Orlando look small.

news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070619/lf_afp/lif...ruction_070619042822

Here's the official website

www.dubailand.ae/

Frightening scale 8O

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Who will visit? Where will you get people to work it? Why does everything have to be the biggest in the world?

I have to say as an American, I'd be very wary of traveling to any place in or near the Middle East. Not to mention if I did travel there I'd be more interested in seeing ancient artifacts and historical buildings and such. Not giant waterparks and malls.

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That is huge. Like Sue said, where will they find workers for all these, er, attractions? And everything seems so fancy and expensive. It doesn't seem like it has the average tourist in mind.

And if I were to go to the Middle East, I'd go to Jordan.

I'm curious, is Dubai talked about in America? It's an increasingly popular holiday destination for Europeans, especially the wealthy. The speed and scale of Dubai's development is like something out of Sim City. Emirates are fast becoming one of the biggest airlines in the world, and believe me - this will be promoted as an alternative to Florida. From a few buildings in the desert 20 years ago - the place has become the most heavily invested location on the planet.

I'm not sure if it will work, but Dubai is trying to be a bigger, better Orlando.

And yes, I'm wary of the fact that it's in the Middle East :!: 8O I'm not sure how comfortable I would feel. But then again, there was a lot of bad publicity about tourists being the victims of crime in Florida in the mid 90's. When we visited in '97, I was a little nervous. This may sound strange considering the terrorism in Northern Ireland, but overall it's a pretty safe place here. Now I feel totally at ease in Florida.

Dubai doesn't seem to be discussed much here in the states. Unless there's a discussion on what Michael Jackson's up to. But usually whenever there's an article on vacation spots, Dubai rarely is mentioned.

And for the record, Northern Ireland doesn't scare me off. I think I'd feel perfectly safe there.

Wow, that sounds pretty amazing. No real mention of Dubai up here in Canada.

And for the record, Northern Ireland doesn't scare me off. I think I'd feel perfectly safe there.

That's good to know

Something tells me that in a few years time Dubai will be more familiar across North America. There are some amazing hotel and property developments - have you seen the one that recreates the world? Mega-rich people can buy their own country :!: :?

www.theworld.ae/

Yea, you really only hear about Dubai when they mention Michael Jackson and his wacky hijinks.

Since it is in the Middle East, I can't see it really being a favorite haunt of most Americans. Except for maybe the superduper rich, and oil company executives. But I can't see the average American saying, "let's go to Dubailand!" Judging by comments I hear on IASW, most Americans probably couldn't locate Dubai on the map anyway.

I think a lot of people in the UK would be pretty clueless too when it comes to Dubai's location

Dubai is mainly a place where the upper class of society go...

the United Arab Emerates is acually a very safe place, with very low crime rates. The biggest problem with going to Dubai is that is isn't affordable, both for accomidations and for flights, for the average person, and getting a visa isn't the easiest either since it is considered a middle east country.

I agree, though I have no knowledge of the visa situation. I think that if they want to fill this place they will have to appeal to a broader market in terms of affordability. I think the expansion of Emirates will mean they will be able to offer cheaper flights to Dubai eventually. Getting people there means they'll spend money.

I see that Northern Ireland has made carpets that are featured in many hotels in Dubai.

( When I was in Washington DC, they had a Northern Ireland exhibit and one of the features was carpet making in NI. )

I think Northern Ireland contractors do a lot of building work out there too. You were lucky you didn't bump into any of our politicians in Washington - I think there were a few there on an official visit.

I don't know about politicians but we did see the keeper of the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge there! He was full of good information. I also picked up a visitor's guide to NI and a free dvd. A camera crew ( UTV, I think) was also there filming in the area. The Smithsonian was holding their Folklife festival and NI was one of their exhibits. They had food, sports, lots of good stuff there.

It looks like Roller Coaster Tycoon Gone Wild!

Carrick-a-rede is an experience. Of course, it's much safer now you can't fall through the ropes

And yes, Dubai reminds me of Sim City & Rollercoaster Tycoon.

I'm starting to see more stories on Dubai now, how it's becoming a luxury resort. Plus, the sister of a friend of mine is looking into visiting Dubai soon.