Dubai Parks and Resorts is an ultimate location for the whole family to spend the day enjoying thrilling rides and world-class attractions. With three theme parks, one water park, stay and dining experiences all in one place, it offers visitors of all ages a once in a lifetime adventure.
I visited Dubai Parks and Resorts with my friend Katerina, and here is how we spent the day in Dubai’s number one theme park.
Dubai Parks and Resorts: A Guide to Visiting Dubai’s Number One Theme Park
How to get to Dubai Parks and Resorts
Dubai Parks and Resorts is located along the Sheikh Zayed Road, across from the Palm Jebel Ali. There are various ways you can get here.
By car
If you are coming from the direction of Dubai, follow the Sheikh Zayed Road, past Dubai Marina and Jebel Ali in the direction towards Abu Dhabi. Then take the Dubai Parks and Resorts Exit 5. You can then follow the signs to your preferred location.
By bus
One of the ways to get to Dubai Parks and Resorts is with the RTA Bus service. You can take the DPR1 bus from Ibn Battuta Metro Station to Dubai Parks and Resorts. The bus departs 13 time a day and the cost is AED 5. The service starts at 7:00 am till 11:10pm.
Dubai Metro
You will have to take the Red Line towards Jebel Ali (UAE Exchange Station) and get off at the JLT Metro Station where you will take the RTA Shuttle bus to Ibn Battuta Metro Station. From there take the bus DPR1 to Dubai Parks and Resorts.
Taxi
The taxi is the most costly option. We took a taxi from Business Bay and it cost us around AED 140 (approximately 35 Euros one way). On our way back we took the taxi from the taxi centre area. Alternatively you can also take Uber or Careem.
LEGOLAND® Dubai
We started our visit with Legoland Dubai which is located to the right after crossing Riverland which is the starting point of Dubai Parks and Resorts. Here you will find four zones: The French Village (resembles a French medieval town), Boardwalk (USA of the 1950s with palm trees and signs), India Gate (promises an exciting journey through India), and The Peninsula (a festivals and concerts venue in the heart of Riverland).
The Legoland theme park features over 40 unique rides and attractions. It is most popular among families with children aged 2-12. We found this park quite amusing and there is enough to see for grown ups too. LEGOLAND® Dubai is divided into 6 different areas: Adventure, Imagination, Miniland, Kingdoms, LEGO® City and Factory.
The LEGOLAND® Water Park is separately gated with an additional entrance fee. Here you will find 16 rides and attractions suitable for different ages.
The Miniland is a fantastic place to witness iconic landmarks of the Middle East which are all made up of LEGO® bricks. We spent quite a bit of time inside the air-conditioned building admiring the skyline of Dubai and all the city’s major attractions. It felt like walking through a mini Dubai. We then headed towards the Kingdoms where we decided to try the Dragon ride — a fun rollercoaster experience indeed. Each area of the park has dining options too —from restaurants to food stands and snacks.
Every season promises something more exciting, in October little guests can experience the thrills of Halloween as the Cobweb Castle comes to life and is spookier than ever. During UAE National Day in November, the park becomes an exciting playground. During December and January the Christmas festivities are on and it’s the most fun times of the year!
Park Opening Hours
June – September 2019
Saturday – Wednesday: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Thursday – Friday: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
MOTIONGATE™ Dubai theme park
Love movies? Who doesn’t. This exciting theme park brings together the three famous motion picture studios in Hollywood – DreamWorks Animation, Columbia Pictures and Lionsgate.
Once you pass the gates you will be welcomed by the Studio Central which makes the Golden Age of Hollywood come to life, where you will get the feeling of walking though a real life movie set. The Columbia Pictures promises a selection of action packed attractions from thrilling roller-coaster rides only for the daring ones, to joining Ghostbusters on a mission to save New York City, frenetic rides inside the world’s only hotel for monsters and an eerie journey to the underworld where you get to witness a battle between the Vampires and the Lycans.
One of the most exciting visits for me, was to the Smurfs Village where my childhood memories came to life as we walked past the mushroom-top houses. There are a total of 5 rides and attractions inside this fairytale land, we decided to hop-on the Smurf Studio Tour as the family-friendly train manoeuvred through the Smurfs studios and we watched the blue Smurf figures perform their daily rituals.
Watch out for the friendly blue Smurf who circulate around the park, we were lucky to bump into Brainy Smuf and pose for a photo.
For those who love Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and other charming DreamWorks characters will greatly enjoy spending time inside this indoor attractions mecca. Here you can experience anything from roller coasters, multimedia theatre shows and interactive play zones that have been designed with all ages in mind.
For an adrenalin fuelled ride head over to the Lionsgate where you can travel from District 12 to the Capitol in a half-piped roller coaster. For those who wish to enjoy something more fun and relaxing can do so by watching the Step up Dubai live music and dance show inspired by the Step Up series. There are over 7 restaurants on the park grounds where you can enjoy a relaxing meal throughout the day.
Park Opening Hours
June – September 2019
Saturday – Wednesday: 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Thursday – Friday: 2:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Bollywood Parks™ Dubai
We left this park for last, as it is highly recommend to visit it during the evening hours when everything is lit up. It is the world’s first theme park dedicated to Bollywood.
The theme park is separated is different zones which have been inspired by the greatest Bollywood blockbusters. At the Entry Plaza you will be welcomed by music and drama performances as you enter the world of all things Bollywood.
The vibrant and colourful Bollywood Boulevard is dotted with cafes and here you can also witness the fun live entertainment. In the heart of the park you will be greeted by the majestic Royal Plaza which is crowned by the Rajmahal Theatre, which is home of the region’s first Broadway-style Bollywood musical. Here you can admire the Stars on Steps, a high-energy Bollywood song and dance show.
There are several 4D theatre attractions which will take you on a thrilling adventure into the heart of a virtual world and Bollywood classics.
There are 7 food and beverage outlets inside the Bollywood Park. For some hot authentic Punjabi food, including rustic home-style curries and tandoori specialties head over to the Spicy Dhaba.
Park Opening Hours
June – September 2019
Saturday – Wednesday: 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Thursday – Friday: 2:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Tickets
There are various packages available throughout the year. Check out the one that suits you best. By booking online you are guaranteed to save time and money. You can also purchase a combined visit with the other theme parks. Children under 3 are allowed to go in for free. Book your tickets here.
Dubai Parks and Resorts offers a one of a kind experience for the whole family. Depending on the age and interests I would advise to combine your visit with at least two parks, and of course if you want to get the full experience then why not aim for visiting all three theme parks.
Have you been to Dubai Parks and Resorts? Let us know about your experience in the comments below.
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Passion for Dubai was a guest of Dubai Parks and Resorts. All opinions expressed are always my own.