The first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of Dubai is its impressive skyline. The city is filled with buildings and development projects that are nothing but architectural marvels. This is also one of the main reasons that people from all around the world flock to Dubai every year. However, sightseeing shouldn’t be only thing on your Dubai travel agenda. In fact, you can do several fun things here, and visiting theme parks should surely be on the top of your itinerary. 

The theme parks of Dubai are perfect for the entire family, right from the tiny tots to the most adventurous adults. If you want to take a break from the usual tourist activities in the city, here are the must-visit Dubai theme parks for first time visitors.

The Lost Valley has dinosaur themed rides including the Dubai’s fastest and tallest roller coaster, the Velociraptor, which covers a distance of 100 km at 2.5 seconds. At the Cartoon Network, kids can experience utmost fun with rides and attractions themed around their favourite cartoon characters and shows such as Powerpuff Girls and Ben10.

Alternatively, older kids and adults can hit Marvel Zone’s exciitng rides which are inspired by some of the iconic superheroes like Spider Man, Iron Man, Thor, the Avengers, etc. Finally, the IMG Boulevard is the perfect place to chill as it is home to a bunch of retail stores and restaurants. Also, do check out the Haunted House here, which is certain to leave you spooky.

➤ Timings: 11 AM to 8 PM (Sunday to Wednesday) and 11 AM to 10 PM (Thursday to Saturday)
➤Best For: Adventure lovers, thrill seekers and families
➤Entry Fee: AED 224
➤Safety Tip: Every ride has a specific height restriction. Check it carefully before going.

💁 Tips for Travellers 
⇒ Free parking is available at the park. You can also opt for valet parking at an additional cost.
⇒ The queue for every attraction at the park would close at the closing time. However, the queue for the Haunted House would close 2 hours before closing time.

Motiongate Dubai

A Hollywood inspired theme park, Motiongate Dubai has got the moniker of Hollywood in the desert. Divided into 4 zones, Motiongate Dubai caters to people of all ages and interests. The four zones have been based on Hollywood's legendary film studios and movies. Here, you get to experience some amazing highlights depicting Sony's Columbia Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, Lionsgate and The Smurfs. Each zone has rides and attractions based on the movies of the particular film studios.

In total, the theme park houses 27 rides and attractions based on movies like Shrek, Hotel Transylvania, Hunger Games, Green Hornet, Ghostbusters, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar. Apart from the rides, you also get to attend several live shows and character meet and great at Motiongate Dubai. All in all, this theme park, which is a part of the colossal Dubai Parks & Resorts, is a must visit for the Hollywood fan.

➤ Timings: 2 PM to 10 PM (Saturday to Wednesday) and 2 PM to 11 PM (Thursday and Friday)
➤ Best For: Adventure lovers and thrill seekers
➤ Entry Fee: AED 245

💁 Tips for Travellers
⇒ Safety Tip: To be completely safety, adhere to the instructions provided by the staff as well as age and height restrictions for the rides.
⇒ The park is the most crowded during the weekends and you may have to wait for an hour for most rides.
⇒ Although most rides and attractions at the park are for adults, there are several that would be loved by little ones too.

Another theme park that is a part of the Dubai Parks and Resorts is Bollywood Parks Dubai. A one-of-a-kind park, this is the only theme park that is based on the Hindi film industry, Bollywood. The park has five zones and gives you rides, attractions, shows, performances and multi-sensory experiences based on some of the blockbuster movies of Hindi cinema, including Lagaan, Mughal-E-Azam, Sholay, Don: The Chase, Krrish, Dabbang, Ra.One, etc. 

While the younger generation would enjoy the thrills of the new age Bollywood movies, the older generation would love the nostalgia that would take them back to the movies of the 60’s, 70’s and 80's. The main attraction of Bollywood Parks Dubai is the Rajmahal Theatre that provides Broadway style shows that replicate the best Hindi movies of yesteryears with a touch of new technology.

➤ Timings: 2 PM to 11 PM
➤ Best For: Bollywood lovers and families
➤ Entry Fee: AED 175

💁 Tips for Travellers

⇒ Safety Tip: If you are visiting the park around opening time, make sure that you protect yourself from the sun by wearing sunglasses, caps and sunscreen. Also, keep yourself hydrated throughout.
⇒ All rides and attractions close 30 minutes before the closing time of the park.
⇒ The entry tickets usually do not include tickets for Rajmahal Theatre. You need to buy separate tickets to attend the show.
Another member of the Dubai Parks & Resorts is LEGOLAND Dubai, a park based on the theme of LEGOS. The park has around 40 fun rides and attractions that would keep the little ones busy and entertained. The park has both indoor and outdoor attractions and is spread around four zones: LEGO City, Imagination, Kingdoms and Adventure. One of the main attractions here is the Miniland, where you would find Lego models of some of the famous landmarks of the UAE and Middle East. 

However, the best thing about Legoland Dubai is that it is not only about enjoying the rides. On the other hand, kids get the chance to indulge in teamwork to build things and enjoy other activities. If you want to cool off during the summer months, you can also visit Legoland Water Park right next door.

➤ Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM (Saturday to Wednesday) and 10 AM to 8 PM (Thursday and Friday)
➤ Best For: Families with kids between 2 and 12 years
➤ Entry Fee: AED 245

💁 Tips for Travellers
⇒ You can purchase the ticket or passes for Legoland Dubai online and save time, as you would not have to wait in the queue.

⇒ Once you book your tickets online, you would get printable tickets in your email. You have to print and produce them at the park entrance to gain entry.
Located inside the famous Dubai Mall, VR Park Dubai is an indoor theme park with rides and attractions that combine virtual and augmented realities. This is a great place to take a break from the real world and escape into the world of imagination for a few hours. Here, you would find games and attractions belonging to several genres, including horror, adrenaline, leisure, etc. A definite must-try for thrill seekers is Burj Drop; it gives you an adrenaline rush of a lifetime while being dropped from the tallest building in the world at the Burj Drop. 

You can also have an amazing dune bashing experience here. Some other amazing attractions you can enjoy here are the Raft, APE-X, The Walking Dead VR Outbreak, Dubai Drone, Travel Bus, Plummet, etc. If you love adventure and the feeling of adrenaline rushing through your body, VR Park Dubai is a place that you shouldn’t miss during your Dubai holidays.

➤ Timings: 10 AM to 12 AM (Sunday to Thursday), 9 AM to 1 AM (Friday) and 9 AM to 12 AM (Saturday)
➤ Best For: Adventure lovers and thrill seekers
➤ Entry Fee: Free entry, but you would have to pay for every ride and attraction. The price for rides can be anywhere between AED 15 and AED 45.

💁 Tips for Travellers

⇒ It would take around 3-4 hours to visit the entire park and indulge in the unique experiences.

The best time to visit Dubai is surely during the winter months, between November and April, when the days are pleasant and the nights are chillier. This time would also be perfect for visiting the outdoor theme parks. If you are visiting Dubai’s theme parks during summers, visit late afternoon when the temperature starts dropping, as the heat during morning and afternoon can be unbearable. On the other hand, the indoor theme parks can be visited year-round as they are completely air-conditioned.

Dubai's theme parks are magnificent and one-of-a-kind with state-of-the-art rides, amenities and facilities. You must definitely visit at least one for a world-class experience!.