A few weeks ago, I wrote that a Middle East-based publication had reported that $3 trillion worth of park and tourism projects were on tap for the Middle East region, mostly in the United Arab Emirates' booming vacation oasis. I still believe that a writer or editor erred when making the conversion to U.S. currency. $3 trillion? With that amount of money, developers would be able to create 100 major theme parks and have enough left over to build a 350-mile roller coaster that could circumnavigate the United Arab Emirates. Still, there are an impressive array of parks under development including Universal Studios Dubailand, a DreamWorks Animation theme park in Dubai, and Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi. Today, Busch Entertainment Corporation joined the fray with its announcement that it will be creating Worlds of Discovery in Dubai. The massive four-park complex will include Busch Gardens, SeaWorld, Aquatica water park, and the upscale swim-with-the-dolphin park, Discovery Cove. According to the Busch folks, they have already begun design work and site planning. The first phase of the complex is slated to open in 2012. Busch recently opened its first lavish Aquatica water park at its Orlando campus, also home to a SeaWorld park and the chain's only other Discovery Cove. Its two Busch Gardens parks are located in Tampa, Florida and Williamsburg, Virginia. The UAE, and Dubai in particular, will soon rival Orlando as the theme park capital of the world. With Busch's entry into the mix, virtually every major park player has a project in the UAE pipeline--with the glaring exception of Disney. Might the Mouse be considering a Middle East park as well? I'd be willing to bet $3 trillion on it.

• Aquatica Preview Photo Gallery
• Busch Gardens Goes for the Jungala - New area coming to Busch Gardens Africa in Tampa