MANY may think that Middle East destinations such as Dubai are just sandy deserts and hot weather. But who cares what the weather is like when you can enjoy exciting indoor activities!
Here in Dubai, there are great number of theme parks, not only indoors but outdoors too, for you and your family to experience.
1. IMG WORLDS OF ADVENTURE
It opened its doors in August last year. The world’s largest indoor theme park stays open all year round to keep thrill-seekers entertained.
The only outdoor area of the park is the coaster The Velociraptor, Dubai’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster that propels you to 100km/h in just 2.5 seconds.
The theme park features four zones and caters to all ages. For superhero fans, get immersed in the world of your favourite Marvel characters like the Avengers.
Children can enjoy themselves at the Cartoon Network zone which features characters like Ben 10, Power Puff Girls, Adventure Time and more. Meanwhile, the Lost Valley zone is home to 69 state-of-the-art animatronic dinosours and the IMG Boulevard features one of the scariest, Haunted Hotel!
2. SKI DUBAI
Located in the Mall of Emirates, Ski Dubai is the region’s biggest indoor ski park complete with five ski runs, a zip wire, parading penguins, tobaggan runs, slippery slides and an alpine cafe where you can grab a cup of hot choco to warm up.
You can choose to frequent the park to just play around with snow or take a skiing lesson for additional charges. Either way, you’ll definitely have so much fun bragging about your snow experience in Dubai.
3. SEGA REPUBLIC
If you like the adrenaline rush and thrilling rides, Sega Republic is perfect for you. Located in Dubai Mall, the indoor theme park offers five themed zones spread over two levels with nine major rides and 250 games. It features cutting-edge motion simulators, classic carnival games, competitive tests of skill and one of the region’s widest arrays of redemption games.
Combining the latest in leisure technologies with high entertainment value, it represents a milestone in indoor themepark development. There are lightning slides, laser mazes, drift racing, bobsledding and of course, hanging out with Sonic the Hedgehog!
4. KIDZANIA
Parents head for Kidzania, also in Dubai Mall where children can be grown ups.
KidZania offers child-sized city, complete with roads, shops and its own currency for your children to play make-believe to their heart’s content. They can choose their professions and try their hand at being a pilot in a simulating cockpit, chefs at a restaurant, or even save the world as a policeman or fireman!
5. DUBAI AQUARIUM
Also located in Dubai Mall. Here, you can explore aquatic experience at the Underwater Zoo. You can witness nature’s most feared and powerful reptile to ever live, the King Croc! Already one of the largest in the world, the King Croc is expected to grow much bigger over the next 50 years.
Dubai Aquarium also features the world’s largest suspended aquariums with a 10-million litre tank housing thousands of aquatic animals, comprising over 140 species. Over 300 sharks and rays live in this tank, including the largest collection of Sand Tiger sharks.
6. MATTEL PLAY! TOWN
Another indoor theme park, it caters to children under 6 years old and is located in City Walk Dubai.
Mattel Play! Town is home to children’s TV characters such as Barney, Thomas and Friends, Fireman Sam, Bob The Builder, as well as Angelina Ballerina. Featuring educational play area, children can try out arts and crafts, singing and teamwork with all their favourite characters.
7. FLIP OUT
Dubai also proves to be big on bouncing, with the opening of Flip Out, all the way from Australia. Located in Al Qouz, it boasts 200 interconnecting trampolines and it is the biggest in the region. It also features 10 trampoline-based attractions, including a double decker children’s trampoline arena, trampoline football, volleyball and dodgeball, and a 3D wall runners area.
8. WILD WADI
Located next to the iconic Burj Al Arab is one of Dubai’s original waterparks. Head for Wild Wadi for wet, wild, white-knuckle rides! It features the 80km/h Jumeirah Sceirah tandem slides, tornadoes of Tantrum Valley and more. There are also wave pool, action river and surf simulators.
An ideal place to go to, especially during the hot days.
9. ATLANTIS THE PALM
Another wet and wild water theme park you can go to is Dubai’s largest Aquaventure located in the iconic, spectacular Atlantis resort on The Palm. Get the adrenaline pumping with record-breaking rides and slides, get up close and personal with sharks and rays or kick back and relax on the 700m pristine private beach or in the new exclusive reserved seating areas.
Also don’t miss the chance to try out one of the scariest waterslide, the Poseidon’s Revenge, where you step into the capsule and wait for the floor beneath you to open up. You will then plummet through the heart of the tower at a speed of 60 km/hour, before the fury of Poseidon propels you upside down.
10. DUBAI PARKS AND RESORTS
The latest edition to Dubai’s attraction is the Dubai Parks and Resort. It currently features four parks: Legoland Dubai, Legoland Waterpark, Bollywood Parks and Motiongate.
It opened its door in October last year. Dubai Parks and Resorts is situated on a 2.3 million sq m land and of course, it would be Dubai’s largest theme park resort! While Legoland will be ideal for family with young children, the Motiongate, a movie-inspired themepark, is perfect for all ages as it showcases some of the best-loved characters from cinema screen such as Kung Fu Panda, Ghostbusters, Shrek and more.
For Bollywood lovers, the Bollywood Park is just for you as it features India’s film scenes, with colourful sights and sounds. You’ll be amazed at not only the dance performances but also the technology of some of its rides!