To wrap up our series about the United Arab Emirates based parks, we have discussed a Face Off for the theme parks. For 20 categories in total, we choose our individual top 3 favourites across the 5 theme parks that compete.

Even though we are often on the same page, there are also some interesting differences between us. You’re able to see the winners for each category in images on our instagram or on www.triponpodcast.com. Hopefully this will also clear things up regarding the different theme park offerings in the Middle East. We might make it much easier for you to choose where to go if you decide to make the trip to this part of the world.

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Just over a year ago we started and we are still going strong! A big thanks to everyone of our listeners. Looking ahead, we're committed to enhancing listener interaction and elevating the podcast experience. Cheers to one year of podcast making!

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Even though modelled largely to the Anaheim original, this is not just a Disneyland-copy. There are aspect that make the Hong Kong park truly unique. Enough to go a bit into ‘nerd-mode’ and to go deeper into the analysis of this impressive place.

Masterplanning; IP’s; Mini-lands; animatronics; perspective-shift and many more industry terms will be discussed in this episode. We dive into the very details of theme park development, because there is so much to talk about.

This park has some incredible quality standouts, but there are also definitely points of criticism. Are those weighing enough to knock down our appreciation and rating? More importantly, was it still understandable or did we take it too far with industry details? Let us know!

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It opened as the smallest Disney park, using the original Anaheim park as the main inspiration. Often criticised for its modest setup a lack of major rides and an overall lack of originality and minimised risk. How did the park evolve to surpass that reputation?

It was an attempt to seamlessly blend tradition, innovation and the Disney magic through the use of feng shui principles in its design. All uniquely set in a subtropical climate adorned by green mountains.

Hong Kong Disneyland often provides a relaxed and less crowded atmosphere, allowing visitors to enjoy a more intimate experience.

The park has come a long way with the necessary expansions, transforming it into a worthy theme park. The introduction of Frozen has boosted attendance and attention massively. Might it even be the perfect choice for a fulfilling one-day visit? You’ll hear it in the TripOn podcast.

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People have seen probably more of this city than they realise. Its reach goes much further than only the 'made in Hong Kong' export products. It was always high on our list of places to visit, but would it disappoint?

At some point during our visit we gazed upon a cloudy series of islands decorated with green mountains as far as the eye can see and down below a massive harbour that is lined with a one-of-a-kind skyline. An image that does very well on a postcard.

But besides the impressive geographical situation and the interplay of culture and nature, Hong Kong has a lot to offer on human scale too. It is a megacity that truly comes alive during the day like a giant machine where all the cogs start rotating when turned on.

Even on our short visit, we managed to get an idea of what makes the city tick. But the entire Hong Kong territory has so much more to offer. It leaves us longing for more. Find out what we managed to experience and what impact this has on our image of this impressive place.

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SeaWorld is a name that carries a lot of history, but also its fair share of controversy. There are SeaWorlds in the United States that have gone through highs and lows. This latest SeaWorld location was presented to be entirely different; fully indoor and keeping the wellbeing of the animals in high regard.

From all the parks we visited in the Middle East, this one was by far the hardest to form an image of beforehand. It is far from being a regular theme park or an amusement park for that matter. Maybe it is therefore that the park was such a surprise.

Where we normally praise certain aspects of theme parks like: Customisation, height differences, artificial rock work, custom soundtracks and lighting. It is actually this very park that excels in all of those aspects. The entire experience feels incredibly high-class and it's almost hard to categorise it. It feels very artificial and genuine at the same time, calming and spectacular at the same time, but also like entertainment and education at the same time. We spent a whole day here, without feeling bored at any moment.

We even consider this park 'monumental' in certain aspects. Of course that is a lot of praise, but does it also hold any negatives? You'll hear it in this episode about SeaWorld Abu Dhabi.

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Is Warner Bros. back in the theme park game? They have proven with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter lands, in Universal Studios parks all around the world, that they are capable of delivering word class themed lands. So what about an entire park full of WB's legacy?

When we were planning to visit Abu Dhabi, this park was always on the top of our list. I (Lee) got especially familiar with it when speaking to someone who worked on the project just before opening. He was so proud of what was achieved and he even used the words: "No expenses are being spared." Which is something you don't hear often in the theme park industry.

Other than with for example Motiongate Dubai, this entire park was designed under one creative firm and under the watchful eye of one IP holder and it shows! Everything fits seamlessly like a giant jigsaw puzzle. Not only physically, but also thematically and aesthetically everything makes sense.

Don't be fooled by the fact that it is an indoor theme park and that it doesn't have any record breaking coasters. The sense of scale is definitely present here and when visiting, you don't even feel like you're walking in a hall. How they achieved that effect? That is something that we love to analyse and discuss in this episode.

One thing is certain, Warner Bros. World leaves us incredibly curious of what awaits in the future. Because after a massive announcement for an expansion and receiving some inside information, the future looks incredibly bright!

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Ferrari World boasts the premium Italian brandname and is widely known for its record breaking fastest rollercoaster in the world; Formula Rossa. But does it have more going for it?

The iconic roof structure, the record breaking Formula Rossa and the famous car brand connected to it all ensure a worldwide reputation for this park. So much so, that we have the feeling more people know about this park than any of the Dubai based parks.

We went here because we wanted to add a short visit to our busy travel planning in Abu Dhabi. We have to be honest though, it did surprise us in a positive way. There is much more to experience here than we initially anticipated. It turned into a full day visit, which gave us all the opportunities to really experience this unique park in detail.

It is very much a Ferrari showcase, with a little touch of Italian atmosphere here and there. It does however never amaze with theming and detailing and it even feels a bit childish in many aspects. It just doesn't hit the highs in terms of design, decoration, media production, soundscaping and music & lighting. With the exception of one attraction: Flying Aces. That ride is very well themed, all the way up to the station. The coaster itself though, even though it is just a coaster in the desert, is an absolute favourite and was a massive surprise.

Crazy about Ferrari? Totally into Formula 1? Do you want to ride a collection of intense and surprising coasters? Then this is the place for you! It is a park with much going for it and with the right amount of attention and improvements in the future it can actually become a world class theme park. Who knows? Maybe these ambitions will result in something great.

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