Falcon’s Creative Group Master Plans Qiddiya City’s Game-changing Water Theme Park
Client: Qiddiya Investment Company
Services: Master Planning, Water Park Design, Theme Park Design, Attraction Design, Art Direction, Creative Guardian, Project Management, IP Development, Architectural Visualization
Qiddiya City is one of dozens of projects that comprise Saudi Vision 2030, an ambitious framework developed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s leaders to diversify the country’s economy and reduce its dependency on oil. The new city, located near the capital of Riyadh, aims to be the world’s premier destination for entertainment, sports, and culture, so the quality of the offerings needs to be top notch, to say the least. Among the featured offerings is a water theme park unlike anything else the world has ever seen. That’s why the stakeholders behind it knew they had to hire a preeminent experience design firm. Enter Falcon’s Creative Group.
During the initial stage of concept master planning for Aquarabia, creative freedom was granted, but Falcon’s didn’t design in a vacuum. The leadership team held conversations with Qiddiya Investment Company’s stakeholders, and it was through those valuable discussions that the themed entertainment designers realized what they needed to do. They felt the vision must embrace the Saudi culture while complementing the entire Qiddiya City site, so they developed an original storyline that embraces some of the most iconic, indigenous wildlife of Saudi Arabia, as well as the life-giving properties of water.
Falcon’s refined the master plan through subsequent phases, utilizing their many years of experience in theme park design, master planning, and attraction design. They also leveraged the knowledge they had gained through previous work in the region, such as MOTIONGATE™ Dubai and IMG Worlds of Adventure, while tapping into their inherent storytelling skills and ability to create a shared experience that’s unique, inspiring, and memorable. Throughout the design phases, it was Falcon’s responsibility to fully develop the thematic intent, its components, and its narratives and to continue refining the plans.
As construction of Aquarabia builds toward an exciting opening day, Falcon’s has proceeded with their other key responsibilities - art direction and creative guardianship onsite - which will ensure the project is brought to life as designed and the vision is protected.
At Aquarabia, there are eight diverse, animal-inspired zones that provide a unique blend of rich theming, beautiful natural landscapes, adventure, thrills, relaxation, and discovery. Each zone embraces key attributes and characteristics of its designated animal. It all starts at the Entry Plaza, where two beautifully sculpted Arabian Horses majestically present an elegant yet powerful welcoming message. It is in this entry area that guests will get their first good look at the massive Camel Rock Mountain, a jaw-droppingly impressive icon that serves up a multi-storied adventure. At the top of this towering rock formation, guests will find a full-service restaurant and multiple food and beverage kiosks as well as spectacular views of the park. The camel was chosen as the park’s icon for several reasons. Its association with Saudi Arabia is well known, as is the fact that it can preserve precious water in its hump. (More on water conservation later.)
In Viper Canyon, guests seeking extreme adrenaline rushes will find many opportunities to satisfy their cravings. On the flip side is Arabian Peak, a quiet retreat for adults who want to slip into a leisure pool or enjoy the relative solitude of a private cabana.
Other zones offer comfortable spots for women and children, a beach-like oasis, a signature wave pool, and challenging water-based activities such as surfing and white-water rafting. In fact, this water theme park will play host to international sporting competitions.
Placemaking is used to differentiate Aquarabia from a typical water park. When guests are surrounded by the lush, gorgeous environments, where animals are formed from the rock rather than carved into it, and where water seems to flow from an enchanted wellspring, they will truly escape.
Falcon’s thoughtful master plan for the park complies with Qiddiya Investment Company’s sustainability practices. The plan prioritizes recycling, reduces water pressure for select rides, and includes technology that interconnects the structure of certain rides, enabling the transfer of water from one body to another.
With a high number of unprecedented themed and immersive water attractions, Falcon’s master plan for this Qiddiya City project alters the vision for future water theme parks. Saudi Arabia has never had a water park like this before. The region has never had a water park this large before. And the world has never seen a water park with a story like this before.
While an ocean full of monumental firsts will dominate the headlines, Falcon’s ultimate satisfaction is delivering an experience that represents the best of theme parks, water parks, entertainment, and sporting events rolled into one dramatically game-changing destination.
Images provided courtesy of Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC).
