MrBeast shocked the internet when he opened his first ever theme park experience, Beast Land, in Riyadh on November 13. The temporary park is part of Riyadh Season and turns his famous challenge videos into real rides, obstacle zones and games with cash prizes. Thousands of people showed up on opening night, and the whole area looked like a bright carnival with drones, music and neon lights.
But soon the location itself became a heated topic. Fans in the Middle East celebrated finally getting a real MrBeast event, while critics around the world questioned why he chose Saudi Arabia and what that choice means.
MrBeast has a huge global audience, and a large part of it is from the Middle East. He said he picked Riyadh because most of his viewers are outside the United States and many are based in the region. Local fans were thrilled. Many said it felt unreal to finally join the kinds of challenges they had only watched online for years.
The project is also a major partnership with Riyadh Season, one of the world’s biggest entertainment festivals. This gives MrBeast a large audience, strong production support and a chance to test a theme park idea without building a permanent one. Tickets range from basic entry passes to premium ones that include bigger challenges and rides. The long lines on opening day showed how strong the interest was.
Riyadh also offers practical advantages. The festival provides wide filming areas and strong logistical support, which fit perfectly with MrBeast’s giant outdoor stunts. Many fans noted that the park looks like one of his videos but on an even bigger scale. This setup also lets him record new content while the park is running.
But the event also drew a lot of criticism. Many online users accused MrBeast of ignoring Saudi Arabia’s human rights issues for profit. They pointed to concerns about migrant workers, women’s rights and past political events. Critics said that hosting large influencer events helps the country soften its image. Some posts said he talks about helping people but works with governments that face major global criticism.
Supporters pushed back, saying events take place in many countries with complex histories. They argued that if the event brings joy and opportunities to young fans in the region, it should not be seen as a problem. The debate shows how much people now expect creators to think about the moral impact of their partnerships.
Beast Land includes physical versions of MrBeast’s most popular challenges, along with roller coasters, zip lines, huge prize walls, live shows, Feastables themed areas and shops. The opening night crowd included families, tourists and devoted followers from nearby countries. The atmosphere was loud, excited and full of energy, with people sharing videos and pictures nonstop online.