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Middle East
Marine Life: Seaworld Abu Dhabi

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is being billed as the ‘first marine life theme park’ in the GCC region. Magali Robathan finds out more from deputy GM, Carlos Rodriguez


SeaWorld Abu Dhabi has announced details of its eight immersive ‘realms’, ahead of its opening date of 23 May 2023.

The long-anticipated attraction on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island will house more than 100,000 marine animals across these themed areas, offering animal encounters, rides, entertainment, as well as a range of dining and retail experiences. The realms will focused on different aspects of the ocean and have been designed by scientists, engineers and animal care specialists, according to developer Miral, which recently unveiled details of the content that will make up the new park.

1. Abu Dhabi Ocean
Guests will start their journey in Abu Dhabi Ocean, which will tell the story of local coastal waters, its marine life and the pearl diving traditions of the UAE. This realm will feature 30 species native to the UAE, including sea snakes, sea turtles and dugongs, as well as crustaceans, sharks, and rays, some of which will be housed in touch pools.

The design and atmosphere of this realm has been influenced by its location, with waterfalls, palm trees, desert plants, Emirati architecture and regional music.

Abu Dhabi Ocean will feature two theatre shows, one telling the story of the history and of the region’s waters, they other highlighting the Abu Dhabi Souk, a traditional-style marketplace selling keepsakes and souvenirs.

2. One Ocean
One Ocean will act as a portal for visitors to explore the other realms at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi.

It features the One Epic Ocean show, telling the story of a young Emirati woman’s adventure exploring the seas and sharing the park’s message ‘we are connected to the ocean and the ocean connects all of us’.

The show will use immersive multi-media, a fleet of choreographed drones, spatial audio and a 360-degree screen. The Animal Care Center is also situated in this realm.

3. Rocky Point
Described as ‘a hidden cove where seals and sea lions can be seen resting on rocks and swimming’.

The animals’ habitats will feature an Advanced Animal Lighting System (AALS) that recreates night/day and seasonal light cycles, simulating those found in the Pacific Northwest of the US.

4. MicroOcean
This will be a colourful, playfully-designed area for children, exploring the experiences of some of the ocean’s smallest creatures via interactives, experiments and child-friendly rides.

5. Endless Ocean
This realm will be home to the world’s largest multi-species aquarium featuring more than 68,000 marine animals. Educators will teach guests about the marine life in this realm.

6. Polar Ocean
This will house Arctic and Antarctica realms, featuring puffins, sea otters and walruses in the Arctic and six species of penguin in Antarctica.

7. Tropical Ocean
The final realm will have a rainforest, a lagoon and waterfalls, as well as animals including toucans, parrots, flamingoes, dolphins and tropical fish. Visitors will be able to ride the Manta Coaster and watch a dolphin presentation.

Carlos Rodriguez, deputy general manager, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
Photo: SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
How would you sum up the design of the park?

The first SeaWorld park outside the US, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is also the first to be completely indoors. With 183,000sq m of space across five floors, it has a different feel from a one-level theme park. The multiple levels create a distinctive viewpoint for our animal habitats, dining options and experiences.

Centred around the theme of One Ocean, our park represents the interconnectedness and interdependency of life on earth and the life in our oceans. To bring this theme to life, the park is divided into eight immersive realms that take visitors on a journey through oceanic environments.

Each realm is designed to provide an authentic experience, with animal habitats that simulate the natural environments of the animals. In the Polar Ocean realm, for example, guests will be transported to chilly Arctic and Antarctic regions where they can observe animals in their habitats.

What makes SeaWorld Abu Dhabi special and different?

In uncovering the interconnectivity of life on earth and our ocean it will aim to inspire a deep commitment to conserving our planet. The park will deliver fun, engaging, and immersive family-friendly experiences through its eight realms, featuring up-close animal encounters, exciting rides, inspiring entertainment, as well as dining and shopping experiences, all under one roof.

Guests will embark on journey starting from the shores of Abu Dhabi through to the vibrant tropics, from the vastness of the ocean to its smallest inhabitants and finally to the polar realms.

Acting as the portal to the rest of the park, the One Ocean realm will transport guests to the seven other realms, bringing them closer to the wonders of the ocean.

A standout feature is that SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will be home to the world’s largest multi-species aquarium. Located within the Endless Ocean realm, this 25 million litre aquarium will allow guests to get a real-life view of the depths of the ocean and many of the animals that call it home. The tank will house more than 68,000 marine animals, including sharks, fish and rays.

Do you have a personal favourite?

The area that resonates most with me is the Tropical Ocean realm. Being from the Caribbean, it feels like home.

With design modelled on the Tropical regions of the Earth, it encompasses areas familiar to me and to others from different cultures around the equator, featuring spaces that simulate things such as rainforests and rice paddys. There’s also a ‘shipwreck’ and a subterranean restaurant called Cenote Café. The vibrancy of this realm is inviting, fun and full of energy.

Tell us about the marine life research centre

Research and rescue is central to SeaWorld’s mission – the company has a legacy of nearly 60 years in animal rescue, having rescued more than 40,000 animals to date.

As its first overseas park, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will continue that legacy with the opening of the Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue.

The centre will be the region’s first and will be dedicated to marine research, rescue, rehabilitation and return and will serve as an advanced knowledge hub for marine science.

Highlight some innovative features

Spaces will be tailored to each species’ needs and employ hi-tech systems such as the Animal Life Support System (ALSS), and the Advanced Animal Lighting System (AALS) for optimal living conditions.

By offering the best possible environments for the animals, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi aims to not only support their wellbeing, but also to inspires guests to care for and protect these remarkable animals.

Located in the heart of the One Ocean realm, there’s also an Animal Care Center where guests can observe veterinarians and animal care experts providing animals from the park with round-the-clock care, routine check-ups, and treatment when needed. This will be an opportunity for guests to witness these interventions first-hand and gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the care and attention provided for the animals.

Other features include a parkwide interactive game called S.E.A. Guardian which invites guests to become ‘guardians of the sea’ by completing games, challenges and expeditions to collect points.

In kiosks found in each realm guests can then scan their passes and participate in the educational and interactive games throughout the park.

Can you highlight the most innovative rides?

As a theme park operator, we don’t just offer marine life experiences, but also thrilling coaster rides, including the Manta Coaster at Tropical Ocean, a rollercoaster which will hold the regional record for the most airtime moments at 17 in total and which will also feature a zero gravity flip-out and world’s first twisting double-down dive.

In the Polar Ocean realm, guests can also experience a journey on the SEA Guardian-designed Hypersphere 360, which allows them to explore the depths of the ocean in a 360-degree immersive multimedia sphere.

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi: FAST FACTS

Number of realms: Eight

Number of animals: More than 100,000

Dining experiences: 17

Partners: The design team for the park includes FORREC, JRA, PGAV and Falcon’s Creative Group

Solar energy systems are being provided by Emerge, a joint venture between UAE’s Masdar and France’s EDF. The project, which will have a capacity of 8.2 megawatts (MW), will see rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems installed at the marine-life development

Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue: This 8.600sq m marine research, rescue and rehabilitation and return centre opened adjacent to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi in February 2023

The first SeaWorld park outside of the US, it’s also the first to be indoors
The Rocky Point realm will feature sea lions in naturalistic settings / Photo: SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
One Ocean acts as a gateway to large parts of the park / Photo: SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
The Tropical Ocean area is one of eight ocean ‘realms’ Credit: Photo: SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
SeaWorld has partnered with developer Miral Credit: Photo: SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
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Middle East
Marine Life: Seaworld Abu Dhabi

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is being billed as the ‘first marine life theme park’ in the GCC region. Magali Robathan finds out more from deputy GM, Carlos Rodriguez


SeaWorld Abu Dhabi has announced details of its eight immersive ‘realms’, ahead of its opening date of 23 May 2023.

The long-anticipated attraction on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island will house more than 100,000 marine animals across these themed areas, offering animal encounters, rides, entertainment, as well as a range of dining and retail experiences. The realms will focused on different aspects of the ocean and have been designed by scientists, engineers and animal care specialists, according to developer Miral, which recently unveiled details of the content that will make up the new park.

1. Abu Dhabi Ocean
Guests will start their journey in Abu Dhabi Ocean, which will tell the story of local coastal waters, its marine life and the pearl diving traditions of the UAE. This realm will feature 30 species native to the UAE, including sea snakes, sea turtles and dugongs, as well as crustaceans, sharks, and rays, some of which will be housed in touch pools.

The design and atmosphere of this realm has been influenced by its location, with waterfalls, palm trees, desert plants, Emirati architecture and regional music.

Abu Dhabi Ocean will feature two theatre shows, one telling the story of the history and of the region’s waters, they other highlighting the Abu Dhabi Souk, a traditional-style marketplace selling keepsakes and souvenirs.

2. One Ocean
One Ocean will act as a portal for visitors to explore the other realms at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi.

It features the One Epic Ocean show, telling the story of a young Emirati woman’s adventure exploring the seas and sharing the park’s message ‘we are connected to the ocean and the ocean connects all of us’.

The show will use immersive multi-media, a fleet of choreographed drones, spatial audio and a 360-degree screen. The Animal Care Center is also situated in this realm.

3. Rocky Point
Described as ‘a hidden cove where seals and sea lions can be seen resting on rocks and swimming’.

The animals’ habitats will feature an Advanced Animal Lighting System (AALS) that recreates night/day and seasonal light cycles, simulating those found in the Pacific Northwest of the US.

4. MicroOcean
This will be a colourful, playfully-designed area for children, exploring the experiences of some of the ocean’s smallest creatures via interactives, experiments and child-friendly rides.

5. Endless Ocean
This realm will be home to the world’s largest multi-species aquarium featuring more than 68,000 marine animals. Educators will teach guests about the marine life in this realm.

6. Polar Ocean
This will house Arctic and Antarctica realms, featuring puffins, sea otters and walruses in the Arctic and six species of penguin in Antarctica.

7. Tropical Ocean
The final realm will have a rainforest, a lagoon and waterfalls, as well as animals including toucans, parrots, flamingoes, dolphins and tropical fish. Visitors will be able to ride the Manta Coaster and watch a dolphin presentation.

Carlos Rodriguez, deputy general manager, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
Photo: SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
How would you sum up the design of the park?

The first SeaWorld park outside the US, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is also the first to be completely indoors. With 183,000sq m of space across five floors, it has a different feel from a one-level theme park. The multiple levels create a distinctive viewpoint for our animal habitats, dining options and experiences.

Centred around the theme of One Ocean, our park represents the interconnectedness and interdependency of life on earth and the life in our oceans. To bring this theme to life, the park is divided into eight immersive realms that take visitors on a journey through oceanic environments.

Each realm is designed to provide an authentic experience, with animal habitats that simulate the natural environments of the animals. In the Polar Ocean realm, for example, guests will be transported to chilly Arctic and Antarctic regions where they can observe animals in their habitats.

What makes SeaWorld Abu Dhabi special and different?

In uncovering the interconnectivity of life on earth and our ocean it will aim to inspire a deep commitment to conserving our planet. The park will deliver fun, engaging, and immersive family-friendly experiences through its eight realms, featuring up-close animal encounters, exciting rides, inspiring entertainment, as well as dining and shopping experiences, all under one roof.

Guests will embark on journey starting from the shores of Abu Dhabi through to the vibrant tropics, from the vastness of the ocean to its smallest inhabitants and finally to the polar realms.

Acting as the portal to the rest of the park, the One Ocean realm will transport guests to the seven other realms, bringing them closer to the wonders of the ocean.

A standout feature is that SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will be home to the world’s largest multi-species aquarium. Located within the Endless Ocean realm, this 25 million litre aquarium will allow guests to get a real-life view of the depths of the ocean and many of the animals that call it home. The tank will house more than 68,000 marine animals, including sharks, fish and rays.

Do you have a personal favourite?

The area that resonates most with me is the Tropical Ocean realm. Being from the Caribbean, it feels like home.

With design modelled on the Tropical regions of the Earth, it encompasses areas familiar to me and to others from different cultures around the equator, featuring spaces that simulate things such as rainforests and rice paddys. There’s also a ‘shipwreck’ and a subterranean restaurant called Cenote Café. The vibrancy of this realm is inviting, fun and full of energy.

Tell us about the marine life research centre

Research and rescue is central to SeaWorld’s mission – the company has a legacy of nearly 60 years in animal rescue, having rescued more than 40,000 animals to date.

As its first overseas park, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will continue that legacy with the opening of the Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue.

The centre will be the region’s first and will be dedicated to marine research, rescue, rehabilitation and return and will serve as an advanced knowledge hub for marine science.

Highlight some innovative features

Spaces will be tailored to each species’ needs and employ hi-tech systems such as the Animal Life Support System (ALSS), and the Advanced Animal Lighting System (AALS) for optimal living conditions.

By offering the best possible environments for the animals, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi aims to not only support their wellbeing, but also to inspires guests to care for and protect these remarkable animals.

Located in the heart of the One Ocean realm, there’s also an Animal Care Center where guests can observe veterinarians and animal care experts providing animals from the park with round-the-clock care, routine check-ups, and treatment when needed. This will be an opportunity for guests to witness these interventions first-hand and gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the care and attention provided for the animals.

Other features include a parkwide interactive game called S.E.A. Guardian which invites guests to become ‘guardians of the sea’ by completing games, challenges and expeditions to collect points.

In kiosks found in each realm guests can then scan their passes and participate in the educational and interactive games throughout the park.

Can you highlight the most innovative rides?

As a theme park operator, we don’t just offer marine life experiences, but also thrilling coaster rides, including the Manta Coaster at Tropical Ocean, a rollercoaster which will hold the regional record for the most airtime moments at 17 in total and which will also feature a zero gravity flip-out and world’s first twisting double-down dive.

In the Polar Ocean realm, guests can also experience a journey on the SEA Guardian-designed Hypersphere 360, which allows them to explore the depths of the ocean in a 360-degree immersive multimedia sphere.

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi: FAST FACTS

Number of realms: Eight

Number of animals: More than 100,000

Dining experiences: 17

Partners: The design team for the park includes FORREC, JRA, PGAV and Falcon’s Creative Group

Solar energy systems are being provided by Emerge, a joint venture between UAE’s Masdar and France’s EDF. The project, which will have a capacity of 8.2 megawatts (MW), will see rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems installed at the marine-life development

Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue: This 8.600sq m marine research, rescue and rehabilitation and return centre opened adjacent to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi in February 2023

The first SeaWorld park outside of the US, it’s also the first to be indoors
The Rocky Point realm will feature sea lions in naturalistic settings / Photo: SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
One Ocean acts as a gateway to large parts of the park / Photo: SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
The Tropical Ocean area is one of eight ocean ‘realms’ Credit: Photo: SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
SeaWorld has partnered with developer Miral Credit: Photo: SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
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COMPANY PROFILES
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A former national ski team racer, ProSlide® CEO Rick Hunter’s goal has been to integrate the smoot [more...]
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By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
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+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

08-08 May 2024

Hospitality Design Conference

Hotel Melià , Milano , Italy
04-07 Nov 2024

Global Wellness Summit (GWS)

In person, St Andrews, United Kingdom
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2023

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