The Hunger Games franchise depicts a dystopian future in which youths have to fight to their deaths in an elaborately designed arena, and while the concept doesn’t exactly equate fun for the entire family, there is now a theme park based off of the popular series of young adult novels and movies.
The World of the Hunger Games opened last Friday as part of the Lionsgate zone at Motiongate Dubai, the largest Hollywood-inspired theme park in the Middle East. Fans of the franchise can do everything from take a tour of the fictional nation of Panem to ride a Capitol Bullet Train roller coaster while visiting the park.
Although many people are excited about the Hunger Games-themed attraction, others are questioning if its creators even understood the concept of the deeply disturbing book series.
Cool or creepy? The World of the Hunger Games theme park has opened as part of the Lionsgate zone at Motiongate Dubai, the largest Hollywood-inspired theme park in the region
Heading to through District 12: The Capitol Bullet Train is an adrenaline-pumping half-pipe roller coaster ride that transports guests to the Capital
Heroine: Jennifer Lawrence played Katniss Everdeen in the film franchise, which is based on the dystopian young adult series by Suzanne Collins
In the world created by author Suzanne Collins, a majority of the citizens of Panem are suffering from crippling poverty and many of the 12 districts only cease to exist to provide resources for the wealthy Capitol.
Every year, two children from each district are chosen by lottery to participate in a compulsory annual televised fight to the death called The Hunger Games.
‘A Hunger Games theme park is literally the OPPOSITE of the message we were supposed to get from the books. I’m screaming,’ a woman named Hana tweeted about the theme park.
‘Wait… there’s a World of the Hunger Games theme park in Dubai now. Did you miss the point?’ a Twitter user known as ‘Reskill’ commented.
Happy Hunger Games! Elizabeth Banks helped promote the new theme park by reprising her role as Effie Trinket for commercials for Motiongate Dubai
Big moment: There was a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony in celebration of The World of the Hunger Games opening last Friday
Keeping it upbeat: Although The Hunger Games franchise is about youths fighting to the death in a dystopian society, the theme park focuses mostly on the positive aspects of the world
Watching for a rebellion: The park has people dressed up as the districts’ Peacekeepers
Positive spin: The franchise’s heroine Katniss Everdeen lost her father to a coal mine explosion, but the Coal Miner’s Clash is a lively percussion show that takes place in the park’s District 12
‘Hmmmmm… don’t think I’lle ever be doing a Hunger Games theme park thx,’ a man named Matt added.
However, some people tweeted that they couldn’t wait to visit the theme park, while others wished there was one located closer to their homes.
The World of the Hunger Games is surprisingly upbeat considering the plot of the books and films that inspired it.
Instead of including the district lotteries or the actual fight to the death Hunger Games, the park focuses on the franchise’s more positive elements.
Famous faces: Stanley Tucci dressed up as his character Caesar Flickerman for his own commercial promoting the park
Perfect replica: There is a giant gold statue of the mockingjay pin Katniss wore in the books and films
Fun for everyone? Fans of the franchise can do everything from take a tour of the fictional nation of Panem to eat at Peeta’s Bakery
There are also nods to the districts’ rebellion against the capitol, including a statue of the three-finger solute
Different opinions: Some fans of the book are excited about the theme park, while others wonder if the creators missed the point of the book series
The Panem Aerial Tour is a hovercraft simulator experience, while the Capitol Bullet Train is an adrenaline-pumping half-pipe roller coaster ride that transports guests to the Capital.
Guests of the park can stop at Peeta’s Bakery for food and drinks or go shopping at Panem Supply Co.
And while the franchise’s heroine Katniss Everdeen lost her father to a coal mine explosion, the Coal Miner’s Clash is a lively percussion show that takes place in the park’s District 12.
There are also nods to the districts’ rebellion against the capitol, including a statue of the three-finger solute and a large gold mockingjay pin identical to the one Katniss wore in the books and films.
Motiongate Dubai even got Elizabeth Banks and Stanley Tucci to reprise their roles as Effie Trinket and Caesar Flickerman for commercials promoting the theme park’s opening.
The World of the Hunger Games may be the first ever Hunger Games-inspired theme park, but it won’t be the last.
In August, Lionsgate and Landing Jeju announced plans for a Lionsgate Movie World at Jeju Shinhwa World, a new resort in South Korea.
The project will be developed into seven Lionsgate movie zones, including The Hunger Games and The Twilight Saga.
Meanwhile, Lionsgate also teamed up with Parques Reunidos to create an indoor entertainment center that will open in Times Square in 2019 and feature The Hunger Games.
The indoor project, which has been called Lionsgate Entertainment City, will include a Hunger Games simulator attraction that takes guests on a rescue mission through the Capitol. There will also be Peeta’s Bakery and The Capitol Confectionary for dining.