This theme park is part of the impressive Resorts World Sentosa leisure destination since 2011. The Singaporean location finds itself amidst an impressive offering of attractions in a wealthy region. Still it is rarely cited to be at the top of the lists regarding theme parks. Why is that exactly?

The cinematic worlds of Universal Studios are often brought to life through themed lands around a lake. Also Singapore follows this blueprint, but this time with much less space to work with. Has Universal’s storytelling magic and quality managed to adapt to the Southeast Asian context? Do its familiar experiences raise the bar or is it much of the same in a different location?

There are many reasons why this park feels different on the palet of Universal parks and it is not only the size that plays a key role in that. In this episode, introduced in collaboration with the dutch Upper Lot Podcast by Nicky and Dennis, we dive into the park’s origins and development, explore its unique atmosphere and analyse what’s on offer today. We are critical, but aim to give a balanced image to decide if it’s worth the trip.

Hong Kong is home to a world class Disneyland since 2005, but already since 1977 a sizeable themed park with a much more unique character can be visited on Hong Kong Island.

Ocean Park is an intriguing mix of questionable beginnings, absolute glory years in performance and growing financial struggles that almost lead to foreclosure. Still, until this day, the park sits proudly on the slopes of the mountains. Multiple capital injections have transformed the park over time and big plans are again forged for the future.

The local government betted on the Disney project big time, but does this mean that Ocean Park drew the short stick? It cannot be denied that Ocean Park breathes more local culture than its counterpart from the US, but is that enough to stand the test of time?

In this episode we describe the park’s history, but we especially analyse what is on offer now.

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The UAE isn’t shy of big announcements; Universal Studios, Six Flags, 20th Century Fox and several other themed parks never saw the light of day. So what makes this time different?

There are also real-world challenges not to be overlooked: the heat, the sun, and the speculation around whether a full-scale theme park can thrive year-round in the hot desert. Clearly not a place to repeat what has been done elsewhere, so the perfect occasion for innovation and progress?

We're exploring what’s possible, what should be considered and what remarkable scenario could unfold in the future.

Of course, with opportunity comes controversy. How will Disney navigate the complex social, political, and cultural landscape of the region?

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Big news has dropped, Disneyland is coming to Abu Dhabi’s YAS Island, enforced by an agreement between Miral and Disney. The often rumoured 7th Disney resort has finally found its place in the desert.

Why did Disney choose the Middle East now, and what do they see in the region that has convinced them to develop a new resort and continue their legacy in the United Arab Emirates? Above all, what is Miral? What is YAS Island?

Does this signal a business decision or something bigger? Could it signal a cultural shift, a new kind of storytelling frontier, or even a reimagining of how global brands engage with the Arab world?

In this episode, we unpack the layers behind the headline: the motivations, the implications and the questions that should be asked.

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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.

We take a closer look at what IMG World of Adventure, Dubai Parks & Resorts & YAS Island have to offer as themed entertainment. 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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