Simply Abu Dhabi XXXI

4 7 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I Futuristic fun Six distinct lands make up theWarner Bros. World Abu dhabi park, which include Warner Bros Plaza, located in the centre of the park and boasting an old Hollywood theme; Bedrock, an immersive Flintstones-themed land; dynamite Gulch, an ode to the American Southwest; and Cartoon Junction, which celebrates classic Warner Bros. animated characters like Bugs Bunny and Scooby-doo. Rounding out the lands are Gotham City and dC Entertainment’s Metropolis, home to Batman and Superman, respectively. Far from the ordinary, particular care and attention has been made to ensure each of the distinct areas stand apart. For example, it’s always midday in all of the whimsical animation lands - the sun never sets on Cartoon Junction, dynamite Gulch or Bedrock. The clock perpetually reads 11 minutes past midnight on the dark streets of Gotham City, and it’s always sunset in Metropolis; justice is served before night falls. The more observant visitors may notice further design quirks, such as no two windows in Cartoon Junction are exactly the same (they’re all different shapes and sizes), and each and every brick that makes up Cartoon Junction facades have been individually carved and painted by hand. The Art deco-inspired architecture of Warner Bros. Plaza celebrates the Golden Age of Hollywood and all things Warner Bros. Acting as the portal to the rest of the park, the streets of the Plaza are lined with restaurants, cafes and one-of-a-kind themed shopping outlets. Known as the ‘City of Tomorrow’, Metropolis is a bright, bustling, modern urban centre evoking shining idealism through a blend of flowing, majestic lines, soaring structures and inspiring colour palettes. The Manhattan-like skyscraper city mixes 1930s Streamline Modern styling with 21st century state-of-the-art materials. The resulting rich, layered environment creates a persistent sense that the surroundings are simultaneously well-worn and brand new—a place that’s always looking forward, but also in constant need of a helping hand.