FAMILY DESTINATIONS &
FAMILY DESTINATIONS & AMUSEMENT PARKS SPECIAL FEATURE 27 Riverland Dubai A global first - The Hunger Games attractions to open at motiongate Dubai Where Hollywood and Bollywood Meet LEGOLAND Dubai Parks and Resorts is targeting a family market of 6.7 million visitors in its first year Dubai Parks and Resorts (DPR) is set to be the region’s largest integrated theme park on its opening in October 2016 and will position Dubai as a major entertainment destination for families. Currently under construction, the attraction will comprise three separate theme parks and one water park: motiongate Dubai, a Hollywood movie inspired theme park; Bollywood Parks Dubai, a first-of-its-kind entertainment destination that will showcase the authentic Bollywood movie experience; and LEGOLAND Dubai, the first LEGOLAND theme park in the Middle East; together with the LEGOLAND Water Park. The massive development requested a total investment of US$ 2.83 billion and will occupy a surface of 2.5million sq m. According to DPR, the total number of visitors projected during the first year will reach 6.7 million, with a goal of 20 million by 2020. Ambitious, but as an estimated three billion people live within a flying time of four hours from Dubai, not impossible. Surprisingly, until today, the Gulf has no international theme park of importance and DPR foresees the right opportunity to tap into this potential market. The company targets visitors not only from the UAE but also regional visitors from the GCC and the Indian sub-continent. Other top tourist markets to potentially come to Dubai for the theme parks are the UK, Russia and developing markets such as China. 100 rides and attractions will be available across the enormous site park. The biggest draw for international visitors is likely to be LEGOLAND Dubai and LEGOLAND Water Park. The theme park for families will feature over 40 interactive rides, shows and attractions and 15,000 model structures made from over 60 million LEGO bricks. LEGOLAND Dubai will feature six themed lands – LEGO CITY, ADVENTURE, KINGDOMS, IMAGINATION, FACTORY and MINILAND – each unique in their design, entertainment and playful learning experience. Along with the Build-A- Raft River, LEGOLAND Water Park will offer Build- A-Boat where children can build using countless LEGO bricks before testing their design against the flow of water in a 10 metre river. LEGOLAND team already launched the sale of annual passes. “The launch of Annual Passes marks a very exciting stage in the LEGOLAND Dubai and LEGOLAND Water Park’s journey to the October opening,” said Siegfried Boerst, General Manager of LEGOLAND Dubai. “The first Annual Pass holders will become privileged members that will be among the first families ever to try our rides and attractions, and will enjoy exclusive incentives including special access to … AN ESTIMATED THREE BILLION PEOPLE LIVE WITHIN A FLYING TIME OF FOUR HOURS FROM DUBAI private events helping to build the park, as well as a commemorative LEGO brick and Annual Pass Card.” Dubai Parks and Resorts will also feature motiongate Dubai, a unique theme park showcasing some of Hollywood’s bestloved characters from DreamWorks Animation, Sony Pictures Studios and Lionsgate, including interactive experiences based on popular franchises including The Hunger Games and family favourites like Shrek, Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda. Committed to bringing together the best of the East and West, Dubai Parks and Resorts will also have the first theme park dedicated entirely to India’s cinema - Bollywood Parks Dubai. In a setting evoking a legendary Maharajah India, attractions will include cinematic simulation rides, flamboyant live shows and numerous shopping outlets. “This is for the billions of fans of Bollywood that live close to Dubai” said Raed Al Nuaimi, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Parks And Resorts, adding “We will be opening three gates, at the same time, in 2016. Something like this has never been done in the world.” Hall 22A / Stand 103 ITB BERLIN NEWS • Friday 11 th March 2016
