#the theme park

[duhragonball]

Cold Water

All right, so let's talk about this Dragon Ball theme park that doesn't exist.

@jasminewave brought this to my attention last week and I mostly got interested in the Saudi Arabia connection. I saw some hype about the park news on Twitter, and people excitedly asking "Where is this?!" I guess they were too blown away by the announcement to actually notice any of the mentions of its location.

I mean, it's not like they're keeping that a secret. This 56-second "trailer" features a newscaster reporting that people are converging in Saudi Arabia in search of the Dragon Balls. Then the narrator says "coming to Saudi Arabia". Even if you don't look up "Qiddiya", the answer's right there in the press release.

There's nothing substantive to the video. A lot of special effects, shots of people interacting with buildings and other attractions based on the Dragon Ball franchise, a kid shoots off a Kamehameha, some women ride a roller coaster, you get the idea. But none of it is real. I mean, the roller coaster was probably real, but they probably filmed actors in a different park. They may plan on building a roller coaster shaped like Shenron, and they may plan on building a replica of the Capsule Corp. building, but it's not what they showed in the video.

That kind of irks me, because I've seen plenty of people get swept up in the hype for this thing. They're excited because they saw this:

And they think it's the coolest thing in the world and it's a real place they can go to right now. Except the Dragon Ball park looks a lot more like this:

This is a still from a video on Qiddiya's YouTube channel, so it's not like I'm talking behind their backs here. The video's from three weeks ago, and it shows a lot of footage of the construction work going on at the site. It's a lot of cuts of construction crews and equipment, with powerful, uplifting music playing in the background. This is what Qiddya looks like in 2024. The Saudi government has big plans to construct a bunch of parks and other attractions on this site, but it'll take years to finish it all.

To put this in perspective, they're also building a Six Flags park in Qiddiya, and that project began construction in 2021. I found a message board called "themeparx.com" where people share photos of resorts and parks that are under construction. And the Six Flags looks a lot like this:

I mean, it's coming along. There's some other photos that show roller coaster tracks and other structures that you can recognize as theme park-related, but you can tell it's nowhere near ready for the public. And this is about two years' worth of construction. It'll take a while before this thing has its grand opening.

And let's be clear: The Six Flags construction started in December of 2021. Six Flags Qiddiya was announced way back in 2016. The Dragon Ball theme park was announced last week. So this construction site we're looking at could very well be a peek into what the Dragon Ball park might look like eight years from now.

Now that I think about it, that makes some sense. Qiddiya's also supposed to have a water park too, and I wondered why they planned all these theme parks for the same location, but they're not building them all simultaneously. By the time the Dragon Ball park is ready to build, the Six Flags will probably be ready to open, along with whatever else is ready, and that gives them time to see how well the whole thing performs. If Qiddiya succeeds, they can move ahead with the next wave of projects. Or if it fails, they can scrap the whole thing, or just stick to the initial set of attractions. I guess my point here is that they might not even build the Dragon Ball park. A lot can happen in a decade, and plans might fall through between now and then.

What I find irritating is how they basically "announced" the thing with a slick video "trailer" that uses images of a park that doesn't actually exist. At best, it's based on a bunch of conceptual artwork and blueprints. At worst, someone just slapped a bunch of stuff together. The park images in the video remind me a lot of the Conton City map in Xenoverse 2. Just a bunch of familiar settings from the anime, all smooshed together into a single area. It wouldn't take much effort for a skilled CGI team to make a similar layout for a hypothetical park. So there's no guarantee that the imagined park in the video has any ties to the park they're actually planning to construct.

I find the whole thing misleading, because the "announcement" and the video are presented like a commercial, promoting the park like it's a real thing you can go to right now and it'll look like it does in the ad. It'll be years before we can see for ourselves how this turns out, so why bother hyping it up at all? Wait until it's done, and then promote it.

I'm not sure what the point is of these slick video packages. Normally, I'd chalk it up as an attempt to showcase the work being done, as a way to reassure investors or taxpayers that their money is being put to good use. Except this whole Saudi Vision 2030 project is being financed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which is under the direct control of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of the country. Maybe they're just making videos to show to him personally, or maybe he wanted the videos made to show off to the rest of the world.

Ultimately, it all boils down to propaganda. They're not announcing a theme park because they want people to visit tomorow. They're announcing a theme park to get people talking about how cool Saudi Arabia is for building the theme park. Like I said last week, watching the video packages WWE ran for Saudi Vision 2030, I got the impression that one of the main goals of Saudi Vision 2030 was to promote Saudi Vision 2030. They just want everyone to know about all this stuff they're building, even while they're still in the middle of making it.

I just find it obnoxious, especially when the video's not even a minute long and shows zero images of an actual park, but you see bottom-feeders like Geekdom101 rushing to "report" on the story. He's got a six minute video up where he presumably "reacts" to the official teaser and talks about how cool this is going to be. Maybe he has ideas on what they should put in the park. It doesn't really matter, because I already know he has nothing to say about it, since he only knows what everyone else knows, which is in the teaser video, which doesn't actually show anything. It's all a mirage until there's an opening date.

And maybe the initial hype has already died down, and I shouldn't be giving this non-story more oxygen than it deserves. But it is a Dragon Ball theme park, and we'll probably hear more about it in the coming years, so maybe it's worth writing this down for posterity. I just kind of wish I could skip ahead to the part where it all goes hilariously wrong, like Willy's Chocolate Factory, or the Heroes of Wrestling PPV. That's what's so frustrating about this. At this moment, the Dragon Ball Park in Qiddiya is probably just a stretch of empty desert. At best, there's some trucks or something on the lot. It's not even a failure yet. It's just... nothing.

[abilitayy]

frye becomes a theme park influencer

[bucket-of-cheese]

Into the Gtwscarverse (aka my favorite au’s Scar’s all in one place)

Credits (left to right)

[confidential]

Chau by tibbycaps

Desert duo theme park au by MistytheWizard

STAREATER AU🥰🥰 by skimmeh and kairamuwu

Ddvau by kitsuneisi and xmaruu11

[confidential]

artist au by jellitchi

(Currently unnamed) au by chip-the-dip

Boatem knight au by applestruda

[achillesthv]

♯ 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲 𝟭 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗮𝗲𝗵𝘆𝘂𝗻𝗴⌖

[alethianightsong]

"I miss when movies weren't political-"

ALIEN is about a megacorporation coercing some salvagers into transporting a dangerous creature without telling them what it is, all because the creature could be a great bioweapon for them. When a survivor of this failed transport mission wants reparations, they screw her over to avoid a scandal.

ROBOCOP is about another mega-corporation experimenting with a cop's body and declaring him their property, trying to reduce him to an obedient killing machine who can maintain the status quo for them.

JURASSIC PARK is about a rich billionaire going all out to make a dinosaur-themed amusement park, not caring about the real-world implications of resurrecting giant lizards. He also underpays ONE guy to maintain the entire park's security systems so predictably, that one guy betrays him at a crucial moment.

The best movies weave their politics with plot & character, so you can enjoy them as entertainment but can also notice the themes. Movies without themes wind up being all spectacle and no substance, just noise and color like Michael Bay's Transformers franchise. Yeah, they make money, but they'll be forgotten in 2 generations.

[cinnasweetss]

SHE. | p.sh

check your window, he's at your window...

wc: 1k

content: this is strictly for the bitches that are sick & afraid of their own mind like ME, little to no dialogue, stalking, dub con/non con, hitting, choking, unprotected sex, squirting, creampie, etc etc...

a/n: I recommend listening to "she" by tyler the creator while you read. this work was written with that song in mind, hence the name. ideas, constructive criticism, and compliments are always welcome. thanks for reading <3

It rained all day. streets slippery with rainwater and mud, the earth outside your window was the same. big, chunky, steel toed boots sinking in the ground beneath them. he should've been more careful, removed his boots before he came in. maybe then he would've spared you the horror of finding muddy footprints inside of your home. 

he was sure that would be the last time he saw you. that you'd do the most obvious thing and call the police, tell them about the footprints, the squeaking floorboards in the middle of the night, the letters. or that time you woke up unexpectedly, peeked out the window to find him there. 

had he not blinked, you probably wouldn't have known. you wouldn't have screamed either, forcing him to flee. 

had he been in his right mind, he would've stopped hanging outside your window then. had you been in your right mind, you would've made sure your blinds were shut before you slept. you would've called the police. 

instead, you made him greedy. wanting to believe you might actually feel the same way, the notes became more frequent, longer, more passionate. he'd watch you read them too, swearing he could see a smile on your face each time you read one. swearing he might actually have a chance with you. 

he knew it when you made it easier for him to get in. he knows you purposefully left your back door cracked. in fact, he watched you. watched you contemplate between locking it, leaving it unlocked, or keeping it just a tad bit open. 

endless nights of following you home, memorizing your routines and schedules, watching you sleep, watching you unknowingly undress in front of your window, even those nights when you touch yourself under your covers, writhing and squirming until you finish. 

all those nights have finally paid off. he thinks that maybe, it was fate that he left those footprints on the floor outside your bedroom. after all, you’ve finally accepted him.

so why are you screaming? 

he couldn't figure out why you weren't happy to finally see him. why you were so surprised when he told you that you two would be together soon. he didn't understand why you fought him off either. 

he watched you frantically reach for your cellphone on your dresser, and had you not been shaking so much you probably could've made the call while you had him stunned. but your mistake gave him enough time to recover. he made sure to break it before he came back for you. large hands covered by black gloves dragging you back to your mattress, forcing you on your back. 

he'll never forget the way you looked at him. eyes wide as if you've seen a ghost, body trembling yet frozen in your fear, frantically trying to make your eyes adjust so you can see the figure above you.

frozen when he reached into his pants, eager to finally be inside you after weeks of watching and waiting, after dealing with your endless teasing. you'd mumbled a plead for him to wait that fell on deaf ears, sunghoon too occupied with getting his cock free and forcing your legs open. 

"wait! w-wait! don't!"  he'd heard that one, but it was weak, barely audible even. had you really wanted him to wait or even stop, you would've screamed like you did just minutes before. you would've made it harder for him to force your hands away. 

you wouldn't have put on this skimpy little night gown either. you made it too easy for him for him to shove a hand between your legs and push the damp fabric to the side. didn't even try to hide your ecstasy when he finally got himself inside you. 

it was all he dreamed of and more. so much better than sneaking in under the guise of the night and getting off by himself after pulling your covers back. never once did he think he'd actually be on top of you, buried deep inside of your cunt instead of using your hand while you're sleeping.

much different to see you squirming, mouth hung open as you release sounds of pleasure despite your feeble attempts at trying to resist. your legs kick in the air, arms pressed to your chest as sunghoon keeps up with his ruthless thrusting. he's used to having you so easily pliant, and at his disposal. 

didn't expect you to be so coy, instinctively moving to cover your chest as if he hasn't seen everything already. he surely didn't expect you to reject his kiss just moments after, going as far as biting him.

"fuck!"

it makes him draw back, the metallic taste in his mouth making him realize you actually drew blood. it infuriates him, and his hand cocks back and comes across your face before you have time to dodge. he wraps a hand around your throat to serve as a warning, thumb and forefinger squeezing around your artery. 

it's just enough to force you into submission for the time being. enough for sunghoon to lean back in and kiss you properly this time. sloppy open mouthed kisses against your lips, leading down to your chest. he makes sure to leave marks along the way. whether its around your neck, across your chest, at your hips, your wrists— anywhere to make sure you don't forget this eventful night. 

his thrusts are rough enough to do the same, sure to leave you sore in the morning, maybe even the days following.

he only lets go of your neck when tears form at your eyes and you begin to claw at his wrists. a loud gasp fills the air, followed by a choked and frantic "stop, stop!"

had you not began to convulse beneath him and cry out sounds of pleasure in the immediate seconds following, he just might have. 

he has to swallow back a laugh when he glances between your legs to where the two of you meet. skin of your thighs and the fabric of his jeans saturated in your orgasm. all the more reason for him to believe you want this just as much as him.

he's just a few more thrusts behind you, stifling back his own groans as his hips begin to stutter, cumming inside of you without warning shortly after.

this is something he’ll truly never forget. he’ll make sure you don’t either.

just as long as you continue to keep your door open.

[kobebibebi]

snow day/tsot/fantasy au redesigns for my au ✨

im not finished with profiles yet soo ill just put this here 🏃🏃🏃

[ffwix]

IM SO SORRY ABOUT BUBBA! I didn’t have enough room

//Bubba, the smartest of the gang, usually a tutor for any child that’s struggling in any academic studies, he’s the calmest and mostly seen with old kids, where some struggle in Algebra or Geometry.//

Anyway, very slight redesign.

Also yes, I’m ignoring everything that happened in chapter 3, cause I’m in denial.

[sharkuro]

the last 2 are so funny to me.. like.. girl what happened

[flwrstqr]

✶ LOSER BF!ENHYPEN HYUNG LINE 𓍼

﹙NOTES 𖥔 ݁ enhypen hyung line as your loser fluff. fem!reader. 𓈃 ๋ 484 wc.

𝐋𝐄𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐔𝐍𝐆 heeseung’s shy smile makes your heart flutter as he shyly holds your hand. “i, um, got us matching keychains,” he mumbles, blushing. you grin, squeezing his hand. “you’re such a dork, hee,” you tease, but your eyes shine with affection. heeseung chuckles nervously, scratching the back of his neck. “only for you, babe,” he says softly. he leans in, his lips brushing against yours in a gentle kiss. the world fades away, and it’s just you and your cute, awkward boyfriend. pulling back, he grins, eyes twinkling. “you make me feel like the luckiest guy in the world.” you smile, your heart swelling with love. “and you’re my favorite loser, heeseung.”

𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊 𝐉𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐒𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐆 jay’s endearing clumsiness always made you laugh. today, he was nervously fumbling with his words, his cheeks turning a rosy shade. “so, i was thinking,” he began, scratching the back of his neck, “maybe we could, i dunno, go see that new movie together?” his awkwardness was adorable, making your heart flutter. you leaned in, teasingly brushing your nose against his. “are you asking me out, jay?” his eyes widened, and he nodded frantically, stuttering, “y-yeah, i guess i am.” you giggled, closing the distance between you two, capturing his lips in a soft, reassuring kiss.

𝐒𝐈𝐌 𝐉𝐀𝐄𝐘𝐔𝐍 he was nervously pacing in front of you, his cheeks flushed. “i, uh, couldn’t stop thinking about you,” he blurted out, stopping in his tracks. you couldn’t help but giggle at his adorable confession. “really?” you teased, stepping closer. he nodded.“yeah, really,” he said softly, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear. your heart fluttered at the gentle touch, and you leaned in, brushing your lips against his. “you’re such a loser, jake,” you whispered, smiling. he grinned, his nervousness melting away as he pulled you into a deeper kiss. “but i’m your loser,” he murmured against your lips, holding you close as if he never wanted to let go.

𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐆𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐍 sunghoon’s cheeks flushed a rosy hue as he fumbled with his glasses, trying to hide behind a mess of floppy hair. “you’re so adorable when you’re nervous,” you teased, poking his side playfully. he let out a soft, embarrassed laugh, his hand finding yours and squeezing gently. “stop it,” he mumbled, leaning in closer, his breath warm against your lips. “i’m supposed to be the one making you blush.” with a shy yet determined look, he closed the gap, pressing a tender kiss to your lips. his touch was sweet and unsure, making your heart flutter.

[egophiliac]

so excited for Kalim to save the day by swiper-no-swiping this dip. you can do it! I believe in you!

god I hope this reads properly

[highways-are-liminal-spaces]

Wisconsin, between Chicago and Minneapolis in the late summer

[1980s-slasher-film]

Accommodations are not special, they’re not a leg up, they’re not a benefit. They’re not putting anyone ahead in the race, nor are they taking anything away from others.

They exist to put us on a level playing ground to everyone else, and nothing more.

[returntodreamland]

have a merry magolor day

[achillesthv]

⠀⠀ ⠀𝗆𝗎𝗌𝖾𝗎𝗆𝗌 仓. 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀𝖺𝗋𝗍 :⠀ ✿. 𝑏𝗋𝗎𝗌𝗁