Falcons Flight POV

I'm sure it's a great ride, but for me at least, there's a line about the country that it's in. When its ruler has a journalist killed and chopped into little pieces, that's a pretty clear line. Half of the enthusiast community (the gay half) are illegal there, too. It doesn't matter if it's the greatest ride ever. I have the means, and I still won't go there.

Yeah. They could move Magnum there, rebuild an exact replica of Six Flags Worlds of Adventure on its best day, install a Chance Rotor, recreate 80s Epcot and give away boxes of Screaming Yellow Zonkers to card carrying coaster enthusiasts. I'm still not going.

And I realize that may sound hypocritical given the continual terrifying ****show we have going on here at home.

I'm looking at the ride with an artistic eye. Maybe a storyteller's eye. The ride lacks creativity and drama. If it were being built at Cedar Point, or anywhere else in the U.S., I would feel the same way about the actual ride layout and atmosphere.

Jeff:

I'm sure it's a great ride, but for me at least, there's a line about the country that it's in.

No argument about that.

Yeah, I don’t think anyone’s arguing that Saudi Arabia doesn’t suck. I have zero desire to set foot there, or anywhere else in the Middle East for that matter.

A quick Google search about Abu Dhabi:

"Abu Dhabi, as part of the UAE, faces significant human rights concerns, including suppression of free speech, arbitrary detention, forced disappearances, torture of activists and critics, lack of political rights, restrictions on women and LGBTQ+ individuals, and exploitation of migrant workers under the
Kafala system, with reports from human rights groups detailing abuses by security forces and a restrictive legal environment."

If we are going to engage in conversation about human rights in the Middle East, we cannot forget that other ME countries investing in becoming "tourist vacation destinations" have similar problematic issues yet American and European companies like SeaWorld, Warner Bros, Ferrari, Disney, Cartoon Network (IMG Theme Park), etc. all willing feel comfortable to invest in such countries through licensing deals, partnerships, etc. Given the political climate in the USA, Europeans are choosing to vacation in such countries overlooking their human rights abuses.

Personally, I would like to ask CEO's of these companies what the difference is between hanging people via cranes, throwing them off buildings, or cutting off appendages another forms of torture in Saudi Arabia is versus kidnappings, forced confessions, and mental/physical torture is in Abu Dhabi that they wanted to license their brands there?

Maybe it’s a case of turning a convenient blind eye. I mean it’s mainly a local crowd, right? I mean, those people are used to it and quite comfortable with everything, right? So they ain’t got a problem with it, and looky! Seems like there’s money to be made in an underserved market.
As opposed as I am to human rights violations, I’m also pretty sure I can’t make a difference there. But nevertheless, and I’ve said it before, I’ll keep my gay ass at home, where things aren’t exactly perfect, but at least better than that.
I’ve already got Abu Dhabi fatigue from the countless number of videos gushing over fantastic features and world records. Good for them. I couldn't care less about that place.

PhantomTails:

They didn’t invite influencers to visit their new theme park to hold them hostage for positive feedback

Could you have possibly missed that by a wider margin?

Unless I somehow have completely lost my grasp of the English language, "be curious to hear people's thoughts once they LEAVE the Kingdom" implies that people are being coerced into giving the park positive feedback by the Saudis.

Come on, they don’t have to hold influencers hostage. The way you get to be, and stay, an influencer is never to say anything negative about your host. Before or after you leave the kingdom.

Maybe there is indeed a lost grasp.
In no way did I feel like anything was implied other than what was said. And the added value is that there’s plenty of time to have a full experience and then think about it.
I don’t think they’re holding anyone’s feet to the fire to get those gushing reviews.