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Dubai ready to take on Disney World

Set to host thrilling interactive rides, the world’s first Ben 10 5D cinema and other attractions, the IMG Worlds of Adventure indoor theme park is a 1.5 million square feet tourist hotspot.

Fed up of listening to kids moaning during the long, hot summer holidays? Sigh no more. A brand new entertainment hub, aiming to give America’s popular Disney World a run for its money, plans to open in Dubai at the end of the year.

Set to host thrilling interactive rides, the world’s first Ben 10 5D cinema and other attractions, the IMG Worlds of Adventure indoor theme park is a 1.5 million square feet tourist hotspot, conveniently situated between Dubai’s two main airports, and just a short distance from the city’s family favourite, the Global Village.

Under construction for the past year, the colossal family paradise, offered an exclusive sneak peek to the media and visitors on the opening day of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) on Monday.

“We are going to cement the position of Dubai (as) a must-visit location and destination for families, for individuals, for everyone,” said Janeen Mansour, representative for Ilyas & Mustafa Galadari Group. “We are going to have offerings for everybody. Dubai is definitely a global destination; so we want to position this park so (that) kids in the US, UK, and China want to come (and) visit us.”

With Expo 2020 coming up, Mansour said it is imperative that the tourism industry caters to the needs of all visitors.

The park will also include a new concept, the Lost Valley, where visitors can interact with life-like dinosaurs and take a ride on the indoor/outdoor rollercoaster.

With a capacity to hold 20,000 visitors per day, the IMG Worlds of Adventure’s airconditioned indoors mean families and friends can enjoy the destination year round, unlike other hotspots in the region which often close seasonally.

The resort has teamed up with Marvel and Cartoon Network, meaning kids from around the world will be able to instantly recognise its popular cartoon characters.

While the entry fees are yet to be confirmed, Mansour told Khaleej Times they would be “very reasonable”: “There will be one entrance fee for the whole park, so everything will be included in terms of your rides. You will pay (extra) for souvenirs, food and drink.”

Held at Dubai’s International Convention and Exhibition Centre, ATM is playing host to 68 national pavilions this year and will conclude on May 8.

kelly@khaleejtimes.com