MAGIC WORLD DUBAI Dubai, UAE

At the request of His Royal Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defense Minister, the Magic World theme park project was conceived and developed over a number of years in the early 1990’s. MLD acted as creative director and worked closely with Bechtel's Corporation engineering team and Exline Design in developing the park’s initial creative concept.

Magic World was conceived as a themed resort to rival any in the world. With 3, 4 and 5 star quality hotels, magical themed attractions, and world-class shopping, Magic World was conceptualized by Michael Lee Design, under the aegis of Bechtel, as the gem of the Middle East.

The sheer size of this project was daunting, but incredibly exciting. Sheikh Mohammed wanted an attraction that could be seen from space. Master planning, attraction design, writing, conceptual art, storyboarding, etc. Creating such a magical guest experience in the middle of the desert was remarkably challenging and a wonderful opportunity.

MLD was able to successfully communicate a large body of creative work illustrating the enormous breadth and vast depth of story opportunity for this destination resort. Sketches by the hundreds, fully illustrated concept painting and storyboards. Master planning diagrams and elevations, color charts, detail sketches of architectural elements.

Unfortunately, owing to downturns in the UAE economy in the mid-1990's, aside from a brief resurgence of activity in 1997, the project was not at first realized. However, the conceptual design was adapted later by developers in the UAE and turned into what is known today as Palm Island.