Marvel Superheroes to be Major Component of Dubai’s IMG Park

(L to R): Ilyas Galadari, Simon Philips, Mustafa Galadari.  Photos courtesy IMG Group.

Dubai, UAE (June 27, 2012) — Today the IMG Group announced its license agreement with MARVEL Entertainment, to build and operate a new indoor family entertainment centre, MARVEL Adventure, which is scheduled to open by the end of 2013. The centre will be housed within a large fully enclosed 1.2 million square feet themed family entertainment destination in the City of Arabia development along Emirates Road in Dubai. It is part of an ongoing development that is set to be the region’s largest entertainment destination.

The official ground breaking ceremony was held today to mark the start of construction. The 350,000 square feet Marvel Adventure family entertainment centre will include retail outlets, dining facilities and a range of interactive entertainment experiences featuring MARVEL characters.

“We are pleased to collaborate with MARVEL for our multi-faceted themed family entertainment destination. This will be one part of the region’s largest temperature controlled entertainment destinations that IMG is developing which is sure to be a strategic landmark in Dubai, appealing to the region as well as other parts of the world,” said Mr. Ilyas Galadari and Mr. Mustafa Galadari, of IMG Group.

The initial plans for the family entertainment centre include:
• Merchandise & Retail outlets stocking a full range of MARVEL merchandise
• Food and Beverage facilities covering a wide range of international cuisines
• Interactive entertainment experiences based on MARVEL characters
• Acres of common areas and facilities

“Following the outstanding global and local box office success of Marvel’s The Avengers, and the strong affinity for MARVEL in the UAE, we are thrilled to be working with the IMG Group to bring some of MARVEL’s most popular characters to kids and families across Dubai,” stated Simon Philips, President of MARVEL Entertainment International. “Whether it’s having fun at one of the entertainment experiences, hanging out with friends and enjoying a meal or collecting the latest MARVEL gadgets and action figures, there is truly something for everyone at MARVEL Adventure.”

In the UAE, Marvel’s The Avengers has broken 30 box office records including the biggest industry opening ever in the region and the film is already the 3rd most successful of all time. In-between now and the opening of MARVEL Adventure, fans will have the opportunity to see more of their favourite Super Heroes in cinemas with Sony’s The Amazing Spider-Man opening this summer, followed by MARVEL’s Iron Man 3 in May 2013 and Thor 2 later in 2013.

The MARVEL name and characters have been licensed to the IMG Group by MARVEL Entertainment. Marvel Adventure is owned, managed and operated by the IMG Group which has developed the complex including the interactive entertainment experiences.

The overall facility for the themed entertainment destination will be in excess of 1.2 million sq. feet in its first stage and will be the largest temperature controlled indoor entertainment destination in the world. It is designed to attract 10,000 plus visitors per day. A unique facility of this magnitude will also generate a significant demand, in the vicinity, for hotels and hotel apartments, along with other retail and leisure components.