SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
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If money has changed hands, it's 100% Abu Dhabi. The Dubai Palm Jebel Ali SeaWorld story is now closed forever.

More details have surfaced regarding SeaWorld's plans for expanding into the Middle East. The article from Attractions Management reaffirms the rumor that SeaWorld is specifically planning on opening a park in Abu Dhabi and/or Saudi Arabia.

Here are some of the key facts from the article:

• SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby says that SeaWorld has "moved to a definitive agreement stage" and that "money has changed hands"

• SeaWorld is hoping to publicly announce the expansion plans in Fall 2016

• This "SeaWorld attraction" will not have orca whales on display

Check out the source article for more details and more future SeaWorld plans:
http://www.attractionsmanagement.com/detail.cfm?pagetype=detail&subject=news&codeID=325715

SeaWorld’s CEO Joel Manby said that his company were looking at all the options for expanding global operations in tourism and looking for new partners, including Saudi Arabia.

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/business/economy/2016/06/22/Saudi-Arabia-s-deputy-crown-prince-meets-with-SeaWorld-execs.html

During a Town Hall that took place at SeaWorld Orlando this past Saturday, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment's CEO reaffirmed plans to open up a park in the Middle East, including a SeaWorld Rescue Center. No further details, including specific location, were revealed. At least we know it's still in the works!

@Anonymous Do you have an online source for this rumor, or is this something that you've heard personally?

Rumor has it that SeaWorld will become the third theme park (after Ferrari, Warner Bros) on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

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