Dubai Parks and Resorts is scheduled to open doors in October 2016. This mega theme park venture is pitched to redefine tourism inflow to the region with the potential to extend night stays in Dubai. By Reema Lokesh
Dubai has constantly revamped and revisited its tourism offerings and has kept the tourism tempo alive and ticking since over two decades. The mantra has always been to offer its clientele new product offerings to retain the existing business and also grow steadily with new inflow of tourists by adding new attractions. Latest on the radar is the Dubai Parks and Resorts, a destination theme park, scheduled to open in October 2016. Costing around AED 10.5 billion, the theme park is spread across 25 million sq ft located on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai opposite the Palm Jebel Ali. With 6.7 million ticketed visits projected for 2017, its first full year of operation, the park is being pitched as the Middle East’s largest integrated theme park resort. This mega venture is a result of a partnership agreement signed with local and international names including Lionsgate, DreamWorks Animation, Sony Pictures Studios, Wizcraft International, Picsolve International, Etisalat, and Dnata. Approximately 15,000 workers on site and 41 contractors are collectively working to meet the deadlines set for the opening of the park.
Emiratisation and developing national talent is a fundamental pillar in the company’s national agenda. Dubai Parks and Resorts aims to attract 1,000 UAE nationals, through its Emiratisation programme and strategies, to work in the theme park industry. Dubai Parks and Resorts offers nearly 4,000 job opportunities, 1,000 of which are devoted to nationals. This initiative, in line with the 2021 Dubai Plan and the national agenda for the UAE in the next five years ,aims at preparing a new generation of specialised professionals in the field of theme park management and operations, which is one of the country’s fastest growing sectors. Dubai Parks and Resorts has sent 10 UAE graduates on a scholarship programme to study theme park management at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, in a bid to expose local talent to international best practices in this field, and import their expertise to Dubai and the region.
An overview
Dubai Parks and Resorts is set to be the region’s largest integrated theme park destination comprising three theme parks: motiongate Dubai, a movie inspired theme park showcasing some of Hollywood’s most beloved characters from DreamWorks Animation, Sony Pictures Studios and Lionsgate; Bollywood Parks Dubai, the first theme park based on the sights and sounds of Bollywood; as well as Legoland, along with a water park. The entire destination will be connected by Riverland Dubai – a retail, dining and entertainment walkway located in the heart of the destination. Vinit Shah, chief destination management officer of Dubai Parks & Resorts, states, “This mega venture will bring in more tourism to the region and we hope that the short staying guests will soon find reasons to stay longer in Dubai.”
Destination components
- motiongate Dubai: motiongate Dubai is the place for Hollywood-inspired fun and adventure in the Middle East, inviting guests of all ages to step into the world of some of cinema’s most beloved movies. Uniting three film studios in one theme park – Sony Pictures Studios, DreamWorks Animation and Lionsgate – the aim is to let visitors go beyond the screen and immerse themselves in the magic of Hollywood. The place is being promoted as a year-round family holiday destination. Spread across five zones, guests of all ages will be offered 27 key rides and attractions including roller coasters, multi-media dark rides, interactive play labs, media-based theatre shows, and a full programme of roaming entertainment and live dance performances. Inspired by 13 of Hollywood’s most beloved live action and animated films, visitors will be transported into the world of movies including Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Hotel Transylvania, Ghostbusters, The Smurfs and The Hunger Games.
With nine family-friendly restaurants, 15 themed retail outlets and a multi-purpose theatre, seating 1,000 guests, as well as multiple kiosks offering light bites and merchandise throughout the park, visitors will have a full range of choices for dining, entertainment and relaxation beyond the rides and attractions. As part of its full-service offering, motiongate Dubai is enhanced with smart technology, smart queuing, shaded walkways and offers full access for visitors with mobility impairments. - Bollywood Parks Dubai: Bollywood Parks Dubai, spread over 1.7 million sq ft, is a first of its kind theme park showcasing authentic Bollywood experience. Bollywood Parks Dubai will recreate the Bollywood experience through themed attractions and rides spread across five zones: Bollywood Boulevard, Mumbai Chowk, Rustic Ravine, Royal Plaza and Bollywood Film Studios featuring Hall of Heroes.
Bollywood Parks Dubai’s flagship offering is the 850-seater Rajmahal Theatre that will be home to a Broadway-style, Bollywood-themed musical. During the day, the park will have up to 30 live shows across seven stages: Rock On!!, Crossroads, Mumbai Express, Rangmanch, Stars on Steps, Cinema Circle and Rajmahal Theatre. The park will also offer six themed restaurants that capture India’s mouth-watering culinary offerings and eight retail outlets stocking quintessential filmy fare. Speaking on the Bollywood experience, Nevil D’souza, head of sales, Dubai Parks and Resorts, says, “We are confident that the Indian audience will enjoy this unique experience. We are working with the right partners in trade to showcase this unique destination offering.”
Thomas Jellum, general manager, Bollywood Parks Dubai, mentions, “Bollywood is not restricted to India anymore. It is a story and people all over are intrigued by its presentation. We are excited to offer Bollywood to the world. Apart from India, we also have dances from Colombia for the live dance sequences.” - Legoland Dubai: Legoland Dubai will feature over 40 interactive rides, shows and attractions and 15,000 Lego model structures made from over 60 million Lego bricks. Legoland Dubai will feature six themed lands, each unique in their experience, entertainment and educational offering, including: Lego city, Kingdoms, Imagination, Adventure, Miniland and Factory.
Legoland Dubai will be the first Legoland park in the Middle East, and the seventh worldwide, joining locations in Billund, Denmark, Windsor, England, Carlsbad, California, Günzburg, Germany, Winter Haven, Florida and Johor Bahru, Malaysia. - Legoland Water Park: Legoland Water Park will be the only water park in the region designed specifically for kids aged 2-12 and their families, and the fourth in the world besides the existing parks in Carlsbad, California, Florida and Johor Malaysia.
The water park will feature more than 20 water slides and attractions, each offering a different and fun-soaked experience. Legoland Water Park will offer a full range of amenities, including, dining and retail outlets, changing rooms, cabanas, guest services, first aid and prayer rooms. - Riverland Dubai: Dubai Parks and Resorts will also include Riverland Dubai, which will offer 220,000 sq ft of dining and retail space for visitors to enjoy, Riverland is located at the heart of the destination, connecting the three theme parks, water park and Lapita Hotel, a Polynesian-themed resort catering to families, which will be managed by the Marriott Group.
The 504 key hotel is designed for family vacations and will be custom tailored to the needs of families. As an example of what to expect –custom tailored and themed family facilities like, adventure playgrounds, kids/ teen and adult fun pools, child friendly and designed F&B outlets, family spas as well as spaces and facilities designed for adults to relax and enjoy.
In harmony
Dubai Parks and Resorts’ mission to bring lush vegetation to its desert destination is underway with the acquisition of 15,860 trees, 6,100 palms and over 1.4 million shrubs and ground covers. Planting has already begun with an on-site nursery also established to house and nurture the remaining greenery. More than 376 different plant species have been sourced locally, as well as from Spain, Italy, Thailand, India and China.
Dubai Parks and Resorts also has an onsite water treatment plant which is expected to provide up to 30 per cent of the treated water needs of the resort once open. The plant means that waste water can be efficiently treated on-site and reused for landscaping; it is just one part of Dubai Parks and Resorts’ sustainability policy to ensure reduced water usage, and a part of its commitment to protecting the environment.
Work on a Dh250 million contract for constructing roads and bridges at the Dubai Parks and Resorts is well underway. The bridges project aims primarily at constructing entry and exit points linking the Dubai Parks project with the Sheikh Zayed Road.
It comprises the construction of a three-lane bridge stretching 1,500 metres as a main entry on the Sheikh Zayed Road for vehicles coming from Dubai and heading to Dubai Parks, and the construction of a two-lane bridge stretching 1,000 metre as a main exit on the Sheikh Zayed Road from Dubai Parks in the direction of Abu Dhabi.