12. Six Flags Dubai (Jebel Ali, Dubai)

Status: In planning
Opening in: 2017

Six Flags famously announced a spectacular-looking park for the Dubailand development back in 2008. However, those plans went into meltdown along with the global financial situation later that year.

Now, however, the firm has signed a deal with Meraas Leisure and Entertainment to revive hopes of a Six Flags park in Dubai. It is due to open in 2017 - but it's possible (likely, even) that it won't be as spectacular as the concept art released for the original park.

11. Robot Land (Incheon, Korea)

Status: Under construction
Opening in: 2015/16

Originally due to open in 2013, Robot Land is now on course for a 2015/16 debut. Costing a huge $700 million to construct, it will show off the best of South Korea's robotics industry. Famous characters from movies such as The Matrix, I-Robot and Minority Report are set to feature in some of its rides and shows, but the real highlights will be the educational exhibits...including an aquarium housing robot fish, and an arena for boxing robots.

Located about 30 kilometres away from Seoul and just 15 minutes form Incheon airport, Robot Land will sprawl across 387,505 square meters and will also boast a water park.

10. Shahre Ghese (Tehran, Iran)

Status: Under construction
Opening in: 2015

The first ever theme park in Iran is due to open in 2015. Shahre Ghese (Story City) has been designed by Canada's Forrec, and its backers claim that it will include rides supplied by major manufacturers includuing Intamin, Mack Rides and Zamperla - all based in Europe.

We'll admit to being a little skeptical about this one, particularly the potential ride suppliers (doubts also raised on the excellent themeparkx forums). We'll have to wait and see whether those behind the project can really pull it off - and can really import the technology required.

9. Sochi Park (Sochi, Russia)

Status: Partially open
Opening in: July 2014

Sochi Park was due to open in time for the 2014 Winter Olympics, but failed to make that deadline. Some areas did welcome guests during the Games, but the major roller coasters were not among them. The remainder of the park finally opened in July 2014.

Among the headline rides is The Dragon Zmey Gorynych, a 124-feet-tall Mack launch coaster.

8. Legoland Dubai (Jebel Ali, Dubai)

Status: In planning
Opening in: 2016

The Merlin Entertainments Group, which owns and operates the various Legoland theme parks around the world, continues its race to catch up with Disney as the largest attractions operator in the world. Like Six Flags, it announced a park for the Dubailand development, but that fell through after the 2008 financial crisis.

Determined to continue its aggressive international expansion, Merlin was one of the first to sign up once again with the newly-revived project in Jebal Ali that is being developed by Meraas Leisure and Entertainment. Expect the usual selection of rides aimed at children aged 2-12, including the inevitable clones of Driving School and Miniland.

7. Ferrari World (PortAventura Resort, Salou, Spain)

Status: Under construction
Opening in: 2016

First opened in 1995 by a consortium involving the Tussauds Group, Anheuser-Busch and Universal, PortAventura was sold to the Italian private equity group Investindustrial in November 2012. The group clearly has big plans for the resort (already one of Europe's leading tourist attractions), and has struck a deal to bring the world's second Ferrari World theme park to Salou.

While it will be modelled closely on Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the Spanish version is set to be on a smaller scale and won't be hosted entirely indoors like its predecessor. The budget is a relatively meagre €100 million, and there's no word on yet on whether this will be a full-blown second gate or simply an additional land within the existing PortAventura theme park when it opens in 2016.

What we do know is that the area will cover 75,000 square meters, and will consist of new rides, a 250-room luxury hotel, restaurants and shops. Ferrari promises that it will be "an opportunity for the whole family to experience and discover the world of Ferrari". The headline attraction will become Europe's fastest accelerator coaster, taking the crown from the 80 miles per hour Stealth at Thorpe Park in the UK.