MIDDLE EAST DUBAI PARKS AND RESORTS DESTINATIONS A bolt from the blue he Magic Kingdom in Florida of Adventure – with characters Tis the place to meet Mickey such as Spider‑Man, Thor and Mouse and friends – but now The Avengers – opened last the desert kingdom of Dubai is August, just 30 miles away, where you can spot Shrek, Kung and IMG Worlds of Legends Fu Panda and The Smurfs. – scheduled to open by 2020 – You can also join Ghostbusters will feature the likes of Bob the busting New York’s spooks and Builder, Teenage Mutant Ninja ride the bullet train from The Turtles, Dora the Explorer and Hunger Games. SpongeBob SquarePants. Having opened at the end Furthermore, neighbouring Abu of 2016, the £2.8 billion Dubai Dhabi is home to Ferrari World Parks and Resorts development Abu Dhabi and has announced is the latest stage in Dubai’s plans for a $1 billion Warner Bros bid to become the Orlando of theme park to open in 2018. the Middle East. It’s the biggest theme park in the region, w AIM HIGH with more than 100 rides and The flurry of openings is part of attractions across three theme a drive to develop attractions parks and a water park. and infrastructure ahead of the Hollywood characters can be next World Expo, taking place in found in Motiongate Dubai, the Dubai in 2020. first collaboration between three Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid studios – Columbia Pictures, al‑Maktoum, Dubai’s ruler, has set FAST FACT DreamWorks and Lionsgate the emirate’s tourism industry a Legoland plans to – while stars from India’s film target of 20 million annual visitors open a 250-room industry can be seen at the by 2020 – up from 15 million in property next to all‑singing, all‑dancing Bollywood 2016 and 10 million in 2012. Legoland Dubai at Dubai Parks Parks Dubai. The third park is the The UK plays a key role. About and Resorts seventh Legoland in the world, 1.4 million Brits visited in 2016, with an attached water park. making it Dubai’s third‑most The park is halfway between important overseas market, after Dubai International airport and the Gulf region and India. Abu Dhabi International airport In its first full year, Dubai Parks – and close to Dubai’s new Al and Resorts expects 6.7 million When Hollywood met Maktoum International Airport, visits, many from the local set to be the biggest in the world. market. By comparison, Disney’s Bollywood? Samantha And, like Orlando, Dubai is Magic Kingdom in Orlando alone Mayling is one of the first becoming a hub for international has more than 20 million visitors theme parks. Dubai Parks and a year, and the parks in Orlando Brits to experience the magic Resorts has already broken attract about 70 million annually. ground on work for a Six Flags The look and feel of the new of Dubai Parks and Resorts Smurf Village, Dubai to open in 2019, with 27 Dubai Parks and Resorts is similar Motiongate Dubai rides and attractions. IMG Worlds to the Orlando attractions and 68 travelweekly.co.uk 2 March 2017 2 March 2017 travelweekly.co.uk 69 DESTINATIONS DUBAI PARKS AND RESORTS MIDDLE EAST key members of the management RIghT: team are Disney and Universal Riverland veterans. But there are plenty British visitors will Dubai of differences, partly because feel at home, while BELOW: Dubai is also looking eastwards Jaan-e-Jigar to China and India for many of its attractions such as the musical, inbound tourists. Bollywood theme park Bollywood Parks Dubai It means British visitors will feel add an exotic twist at home, seeing household names such as Shrek and Legoland, while attractions such as the Bollywood theme park add an exotic twist. However, the daily character alongside a river. It’s made up of: parades popular in Orlando are French Village: based on France not regular features here, and of the 1600s. queues build up quickly for photo Boardwalk: based on 1950s opportunities with characters and America. for the rides. Visitors with a Q‑fast India Gate: Asian‑themed outlets ticket, however, can jump ahead. around a sculpture of Bollywood There is on‑site accommodation dancers’ hands. in the Lapita hotel – part of the The Peninsula: a venue for Marriott Autograph Collection festivals and concerts, in – and free coaches from other 19th‑century style. Dubai hotels, taking 30 to 45 Brits will find familiar brands, minutes. Flight times from the such as Boots, McDonald’s and UK are similar to those to Florida, Starbucks, plus brands unknown As the dirham is pegged to the highlight was Lagaan: The Thrill although Brits will most likely visit in the UK, but most sell the usual dollar, it means prices are more of Victory, a 4D steam‑punk Dubai in the winter. burgers, fries and ice cream. expensive for Brits. A McDonald’s cricket rollercoaster ride based The first rides to open were There is also an Irish‑themed pub. chicken burger was 10 dirhams on a Bollywood sports movie. more family‑friendly than white‑ Signs are in English and (about £2.20), while a Happy Sell it: The park is mainly knuckle, but there’s plenty in store Arabic, everyone speaks English, Meal was 18 dirhams (£3.90). A designed for the Indian market, to keep adventurous teens on side. and there is a veritable United Starbucks breakfast muffin cost but you don’t need to be a Nations of staff wearing name 21 dirhams (£4.60); a cappuccino Bollywood aficionado to enjoy it. w RIVERLAND DUBAI badges with their country of 15 dirhams (£3.30). Fans of the UK Bollywood The gateway to the theme origin. I spotted workers from as scene will relish the chance parks features four zones with far afield as Scotland, Macedonia, w BOLLYWOOD PArkS 50 shops and restaurants, set Nigeria and Australia. DubAI In a nutshell: The world’s first Bollywood theme park. Get the Details: Five zones themed on India and Bollywood movies, lowdown offering rides, restaurants, live performances and street dancers. w Standard one-day tickets: Biggest thrill: The two 4D rides Motiongate adult £54/child in the Bollywood Film Studios £47; Bollywood £62/£53; section – Krrish: Hero’s Flight and Legoland £64/£54; Legoland Ra.One: Unleashed – offer the Water Park £52/£45. Multi- chance to experience the genre’s day and multi-park tickets are modern‑day sci‑fi superheroes. also available, starting at £98. The virtual‑reality panoramas w Agents can train online and are enhanced by moving seats, log bookings at dprrewards. water, smoke and aromas – plus co.uk and as a reward they hyderabad startling leg‑tickler effects. can claim two free tickets. dubai Best of the rest: For a taste of w There are plans to run fam traditional singing and dancing, trips with key operators, studios the 856‑seat Rajmahal Theatre and representation firm stages shows to rival any West AMG will visit UK agents to End production – and keep an eye deliver face-to-face training. universal out on the streets for the chance To request training, email to join a troupe of performers. [email protected]. PICTURE: The most surprising, quirky 70 travelweekly.co.uk 2 March 2017 DESTINATIONS DUBAI PARKS AND RESORTS MIDDLE EAST LEFT: Hotel Transylvania, Motiongate Dubai RIghT: Lego Technic Twister, Legoland Dubai to meet familiar faces, but Judging by the long queues Sell it: This zone features the newcomers to the genre can that developed within seconds of best‑known characters for the have just as much fun discovering Zombieland’s a character appearing for photo British market, which cannot be the razzamatazz, bling and opportunities, it will be popular. found anywhere else. exuberance of India’s film 58-metre freefall The Lionsgate zone will also Although Dubai prices are not industry. tower is the best open fully in spring, offering cheap, flights and park tickets white-knuckle visitors the chance to experience compare well with Orlando, so w LEGOLAND DUBAI experience the Hunger Games franchise. It the destination offers an ideal In a nutshell: Lego‑themed also features a live hip‑hop dance winter alternative. Staying at rides, shows and attractions for show inspired by the Step Up film Lapita, the 501‑room Polynesian‑ children, created using 60 million series, in a 1,000‑seat art deco‑ themed hotel, means guests can Lego bricks. Next door, Legoland style theatre. walk to the parks, and qualify for Water Park offers 20 slides and in December, there were festive The Columbia Pictures free Q‑fast tickets to beat the attractions. Lego models, including a sleigh zone boasts a Green Hornet queues. Details: There are six zones with life‑sized reindeer and Lego rollercoaster, Ghostbusters ride, a Book it: Gold Medal offers five with 40‑plus rides, shows and Santa. 4D vampire adventure based on nights at Lapita hotel, four‑day attractions – Miniland, Lego Sell it: It offers everything that the Underworld film, and a gentle entry to Dubai Parks and Resorts City, Imagination, Kingdoms, Legoland is famous for – plus Hotel Transylvania ride. and flights from Heathrow, from Adventure and Factory – guaranteed sunshine and a water The filmCloudy with a Chance £1,069 based on a family of four, complete with the Middle East’s park oasis in which to cool down. of Meatballs has inspired an valid August 16‑24. largest Lego store. We were there in winter, so it indoor play zone and a river ride. Miniland is indoors and was a gloriously sunny 26C by Biggest thrill: Zombieland’s air‑conditioned, making it an day, ideal for sightseeing and 58‑metre freefall tower is the ideal respite from the heat, perfectly warm at night.