SAUDI ARABIA BUILDING THEME PARK ON AN OIL RIG

Saudi Arabia has announced plans to convert an oil rig into an amusement park in the Arabian Gulf. Called “The Rig,” it will be comprised of three hotels and 11 restaurants spread over a number of connected platforms, as well as roller coasters and adrenaline-rush activities like bungee jumping and skydiving. A completion date for the venture has not been announced. While millions of religious visitors make the pilgrimage to the Saudi holy city of Mecca every year, not many tourists visit the rest of the country, so officials are trying to reposition Saudi Arabia as a top international tourism destination and diversify its economy. And – not a joke – this isn’t the only theme park in development in Saudi Arabia – there’s also Six Flags Qiddiya, a theme park megaproject being built near Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
* Sounds well worth the 17-hour plane ride.
* It’s like with Disney World and Universal Studios. When the holy pilgrimage to Mecca is too crowded, folks will hop on over to “The Rig” for the rides.
* Fun for the whole family! Sorry – no women.
* Everyone will be asked to keep your remaining hand inside the car at all times during the ride.
* Some of the rides they have planned:
– Aladdin’s Magic Carpet Ride, where you have to bargain with a rug trader to get a seat on the flying carpet.
– Instead of The Hall of Presidents, they have The Hall of Emirs
– The Carousel of Repression