Dubai Parks and Resorts, promising to be the largest integrated theme park destination in the region, will be opening at the end of October* (see below for updated dates) this year and it looks like there might be something for everyone there. If Las Vegas is somewhere on your bucket list, it sounds like this might be a very good stepping stone to it – Dubai style. We had a chat with Vinit Shah, Chief Destination Management Officer at Dubai Parks and Resorts to find out what we could look forward to.
Like a lot of things in Dubai, there are several firsts at the parks including the first time for a Bollywood theme park (ever), Bollywood Parks™ Dubai; the first time that there is an indoor MINILAND, as part of LEGOLAND® Dubai, housing some of the iconic regional buildings (like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque) under a dome; and it is the first time that MOTIONGATE ™ Dubai brings together Lionsgate and Dreamworks as zones in one location.
Staycation
Starting with what promises to be a beautifully landscaped and well-thought out Riverland™ Dubai area, around the main entrance to the park, there is a well-appointed Hotel Lapita, a 4-star hotel complex, part of the Marriot Autograph collection, with options of villas and rooms to suit budgets that could include package deals with entry to the parks.
With tickets to the parks starting from as little as AED 205 for a day-pass (for children and seniors), there are some attractive and entertaining ways for families to enjoy the parks without breaking the bank. Each of the parks has varied zones and several rides and entertainment options for children and ‘young-at-heart’ alike.
All about food
For us at FoodeMag, we are, obviously, looking forward to the restaurants around the Riverland area because we think it’s the first time that a theme park has promised to raise the bar on food. With over 50 outlets dotted around the park, including some of the popular fast food chains and a few new ones, most of the decent eateries will be around the Riverland area.
In addition to the restaurants around the Riverland area, we will see a few themed food outlets as well as one “buffetaria” (cafeteria with buffets – Vinit’s word not ours) in each of the parks. In Bollywood Parks, there is a high-end, fine dining restaurant serving Royal Mughlai cuisine from the Indian sub-continent alongside its Rajmahal theatre where you can catch a Broadway-style Bollywood musical spectacular.
For us foodies, we can access the restaurants and outlets in the Riverland without having to necessarily go to the Parks. We can’t wait to try them and tell you which are our favourites. So watch this space.
All in all, the new Dubai Parks and Resorts promises entertainment that appeals to all senses and all ages.
Stop Press ~ Updated Opening Dates
LEGOLAND® Dubai and Riverland™ Dubai will open on 31st October
Bollywood Parks™ Dubai, LEGOLAND® Water Park, Lapita™ Hotel will open on 15th November
MOTIONGATE™ Dubai will open on the 16th December