Dragon Ball Theme Park Opening in Saudi Arabia: What to Know

Saudi Arabia probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you think about anime travel. But that might be about to change. In Qiddiya City, just outside Riyadh, the world’s first Dragon Ball theme park is currently in the works, and it’s unlike anything fans have seen before.

Built in collaboration with Toei Animation, the studio behind the Dragon Ball franchise, the park spans over 500,000 square metres and brings the iconic world of Goku and friends into physical reality. For Singaporean travellers used to anime pilgrimages in Tokyo or Osaka, this new destination might sound surprising. But that’s precisely what makes it so compelling.

Also read: An Interview With Saudi Tourism: Why You Should Visit Saudi Arabia.

A fully immersive Dragon Ball universe

Rather than recreating a generic amusement park with light branding, the Dragon Ball park is being designed as a fully immersive space. There will be seven distinct zones modelled after the seven Dragon Balls, with locations like Kame House, Capsule Corporation, and even Beerus’s Planet brought to life. Attractions will trace the entire arc of the series, from the original Dragon Ball to Dragon Ball Super.

One of the park’s boldest features is a 70-metre-tall statue of Shenron, the dragon who grants wishes. It houses the park’s signature roller coaster, twisting through and around the structure. But even beyond the spectacle, what sets this park apart is its commitment to world-building. The rides, interactive shows, themed eateries, and character encounters are all part of a larger narrative, letting guests experience Dragon Ball not just as fans, but as participants.

Also read: 10 Anime Spots Every Singaporean Otaku Must Visit.

Part of a bigger picture

The project is part of Saudi Arabia’s wider Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to shift the country’s image and economy toward tourism and entertainment. Qiddiya City, where the park is located, is being developed as a hub for immersive leisure experiences, with motorsports, nature parks, and other entertainment projects in the pipeline.

A travel experience with cultural comfort

Of course, a theme park alone may not justify a trip. But for Muslim travellers, this one comes with specific advantages. Prayer spaces and halal food are standard, not special features. The family-oriented atmosphere, modest dress norms, and cultural familiarity offer comfort that anime-themed spaces in Japan don’t always provide.

Still, the appeal of this park isn’t limited to Muslim visitors. For Singaporean travellers of all backgrounds, it opens up the chance to explore a part of the world that often feels distant or unfamiliar, through something deeply familiar. Dragon Ball is a shared cultural memory for many of us, and entering that world through the lens of a different culture offers the kind of travel experience that lingers: one that surprises, challenges, and expands.

Saudi Arabia may not be the typical first pick for a holiday, but that’s precisely why it’s worth considering. The park isn’t just a destination for anime fans, but a bridge; a new way into a region that’s rapidly transforming, and a reminder that travel can still feel fresh even for seasoned explorers.

Also read: Shopping Like a Local in Saudi Arabia: Everything You Need to Know.

More than a fan fantasy

In the end, the Dragon Ball theme park doesn’t just reimagine anime immersion. It challenges assumptions about where pop culture lives and who gets to access it. For Singaporean travellers, especially, it offers a chance to rethink what an “anime trip” looks like — not just shopping in Akihabara or visiting a studio cafe in Tokyo, but stepping into a fully realised world built around the stories we grew up with.

For all its spectacle, the Dragon Ball theme park is ultimately about access to stories, to worlds, and to places we didn’t think we’d go. It’s an invitation to rediscover not just a childhood universe, but a part of the world that’s ready to surprise us.