SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
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Seaworld announced that they are taking another look at Middle Eastern Expansion.

Manby also announced progress in SeaWorld’s global expansion plans, saying the company had “moved to the next phase of our international development strategy" and signed an MoU with a Middle Eastern partner.

“Over the course of the year we will continue to focus on our simplified pricing plan and explore opportunities to further develop our resort strategy as we continue to implement the key components of our plan,” Manby said.

Source: http://www.attractionsmanagement.com/detail.cfm?pagetype=detail&subject=news&codeID=322127&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=linkedingroups

Originally planned SeaWorld Dubai location (2008):

SeaWorld is moving forward with plans for a Middle East expansion, the company said on Thursday.

"We are making progress," CEO Joel Manby said of the plans during a third-quarter earnings call with investors. "I don't want anyone to think they've stopped." He added that the company's yet-unnamed partners on the project had traveled to Orlando, Florida, for a meeting last month.

Source:
https://www.thedodo.com/seaworld-middle-east-expansion-1439983520.html

SeaWorld is moving forward for the Middle East expansion plans.
Source: https://www.thedodo.com/seaworld-middle-east-expansion-1439983520.html

Any details regarding the proposed location? Palm Jebel Ali, as envisioned in 2008, or as part of Dubai Parks & Resorts?

SeaWorld faces opposition to potential Middle East expansion:
https://www.thebig5hub.com/news/2015/july/seaworld-faces-opposition-to-potential-middle-east-expansion/

SeaWorld Dubai's original location was on the now-abandoned Palm Jebel Ali:

From a SeaWorld earnings conference call, dated August 13, 2014:

We recently executed a letter of intent with Village Roadshow Theme Parks, a leading international entertainment and media company, to co-develop theme parks in Pan-Asia, India and Russia. This letter of intent, along with our previously announced memorandum of understanding with our partner in the Middle East, creates exciting opportunities for us to extend our parks and brands beyond our domestic borders.

Source:
http://seekingalpha.com/article/2419475-seaworld-entertainment-seas-ceo-jim-atchison-on-q2-2014-results-earnings-call-transcript?part=single

It won't be built in Dubai this time. Probably rather Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

Here's SeaWorld's original plan and failed first attempt to enter the UAE market back in 2008:

Nakheel plans to build four theme parks, including a SeaWorld, on one of its palm-shaped islands, the Dubai-owned developer said on Thursday.

Under a deal with US-based Busch Entertainment Corporation (BEC), Nakheel will build SeaWorld Dubai, Aquatica, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove theme parks on the Palm Jebel Ali under the 'Worlds of Discovery' banner. The project will be constructed in four phases, with the first phase set to be completed by 2012.

Source:
http://www.arabianbusiness.com/nakheel-plans-seaworld-theme-park-151383.html




Photo source:
http://multivu.prnewswire.com/

This is how it looks today, the whole Palm Jebel Ali has been left abandoned:


Photo source:
http://www.dubaichronicle.com/