Just after Dubai lifted some of its Covid-19 restrictions in 2020, Shannon Soans and his friends were feeling extra sentimental. It was around 10pm, he says, when they decided to take a nostalgic trip to Wonderland, an abandoned theme park in Al Garhoud.
“Even though it closed years ago, most of the rides were still there,” he says. “It was a bit creepy – no lights whatsoever, but it brought back so many memories.”
Wonderland first opened in 1996 and is believed to be Dubai's first theme park. The eight-hectare carnival-style venue, which also included a water park, was a go-to for many families at the time, Soans tells The National.
It was shut down in 2013, but remnants of the park still linger years after.
Today, the UAE is in the midst of a new theme park era, the basic roller coasters of the past evolving to ones that have record-breaking speed and vertical loops, augmented even more dizzying projections, immersive sounds and more.
New projects are on the horizon, including a Real Madrid-themed venue in Dubai and a Harry Potter-themed land in Abu Dhabi.
More adrenalin, more fun
In 2016, three years after Wonderland's closure, Dubai Parks and Resorts opened to the public. At the time it consisted of three parks: Motiongate, Legoland and Bollywood Parks, the last of which closed operations last year.
IMG Worlds of Adventure also opened in 2016, with the theme park entertaining residents and tourists alike with state-of-the-art rides and experiences, announcing year-on-year developments to ensure visitors are engaged.
In 2022, Dubai Parks and Resorts signed a deal with football club Real Madrid CF to open a sports-themed destination. Set to be called Hala! Madrid, the park will be dedicated to all things Real Madrid, including its spirit, players and decorated history.
It will include a dedicated museum, rides, football skill games as well as memorabilia retail outlets, “enabling guests to immerse themselves in the culture of the world's greatest football team”, according to the Dubai Parks and Resorts website.
No opening date has been revealed so far, but that is to be expected, given building a theme park is no easy feat.
“Developing theme parks is very complex,” says Scott O'Neil, the chief executive of Merlin Entertainments, the global operator of the Legoland brand.
“There are multiple stakeholders. You've got financing, planning, permissions and design,” he adds. And once they are developed, theme parks take about 10 years “to really gain critical mass and be ingrained in the community”, O'Neil explains.
Many other theme park projects in the UAE have seen unfortunate halts in the last decade, including what would have been the first Middle East outpost of the popular Universal Studios. There were also plans to build a Six Flags theme park in Dubai, but was later scrapped.
However, O'Neil says theme parks will always have a special place in communities, especially after the social cost of the Covid-19 pandemic, when people were stuck in their homes.
“Coming out of Covid-19, we learnt quite a bit about ourselves, each other and how we interact. We learnt that we need each other. We need escapism. We need to laugh, smile, hug or hop on a roller coaster for the first time. As a dad of four daughters, some of my greatest memories with my kids are taking them to theme parks,” he says.
The pandemic has given people a lot of time to reflect on “what's really important”, he adds. “And that is our friends, our families, the people we love – and want to spend more time with them.”
Abu Dhabi's bid
In Abu Dhabi, theme parks are also an integral part of the government's vision of transforming the emirate into a well-rounded tourism hub.
In fact, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi opened to the public in 2010, way before Dubai Parks and Resorts was established. It grabbed headlines for being the world's first Ferrari-themed park, as well as having the world's fastest roller coaster, Formula Rossa.
The park is operated by Miral, which calls itself as a “creator of immersive destinations and experiences” and is also the company behind landmark projects such as Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, all located on Yas Island.
“Over the past years, we have been investing a lot on Yas Island to ensure the best experiences for visitors, not just from the UAE but abroad,” says Miral Experiences chief executive Julien Kauffmann.
Since the opening of Ferrari World, Miral has not stopped when it comes to launching new experiences on the island, with the focus of creating “diverse assets with different personalities to entice people to come”, he adds.
One of Miral's latest bids in this regard is the upcoming Harry Potter-themed land within Warner Bros World, first announced in 2022. “We want to be true to the story as possible, but we're also thinking about how we can bring it to the next level,” he tells The National.
Kauffmann did not give any details about the new attraction's opening, but assures it will come “soon”.
“The reason it's taking time is because we want to make it really extraordinary,” he explains. “The benchmark is high because there are already other Harry Potter destinations around the world,” he says.
Last year, Miral also announced an ambitious expansion to Yas Waterworld, which originally opened in 2013. Set to be completed by 2025, the project will add 16,900 square metres to the park, including 18 new rides and what is set be the country's highest slide.
“It's important to keep updating these theme parks, according to Kauffmann, and technology plays a crucial role in doing so, especially with the pent-up demand after the pandemic. Our numbers now are significantly above 2019 levels,” he says.
As an industry, he believes theme parks are fulfilling demand.
“There is a true need for people to experience what we offer,” he adds. “A true need to forge togetherness.”
BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP
Group A
Paraguay
Japan
Switzerland
USA
Group B
Uruguay
Mexico
Italy
Tahiti
Group C
Belarus
UAE
Senegal
Russia
Group D
Brazil
Oman
Portugal
Nigeria
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In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Pearls on a Branch: Oral Tales
Najlaa Khoury, Archipelago Books
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Company profile
Date started: January, 2014
Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe
Based: Dubai
Sector: Education technology
Size: Five employees
Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.
Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
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How Filipinos in the UAE invest
A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.
Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).
Of the 5,500 respondents who preferred property as their primary investment, 54 per cent said they plan to make the purchase within the next year. Manila was the top location, preferred by 53 per cent.
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Museum of the Future in numbers
- 78 metres is the height of the museum
- 30,000 square metres is its total area
- 17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
- 14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
- 1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior
- 7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
- 2,400 diagonally intersecting steel members frame the torus shape
- 100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
- Dh145 is the price of a ticket
The specs: 2018 Audi RS5
Price, base: Dh359,200
Engine: 2.9L twin-turbo V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 450hp at 5,700rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 1,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Top Hundred overseas picks
London Spirit: Kieron Pollard, Riley Meredith
Welsh Fire: Adam Zampa, David Miller, Naseem Shah
Manchester Originals: Andre Russell, Wanindu Hasaranga, Sean Abbott
Northern Superchargers: Dwayne Bravo, Wahab Riaz
Oval Invincibles: Sunil Narine, Rilee Rossouw
Trent Rockets: Colin Munro
Birmingham Phoenix: Matthew Wade, Kane Richardson
Southern Brave: Quinton de Kock
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
SPECS
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
The%C2%A0specs%20
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Kill%20Bill%20Volume%201
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Huddersfield Town permanent signings:
- Steve Mounie (striker): signed from Montpellier for £11 million
- Tom Ince (winger): signed from Derby County for £7.7m
- Aaron Mooy (midfielder): signed from Manchester City for £7.7m
- Laurent Depoitre (striker): signed from Porto for £3.4m
- Scott Malone (defender): signed from Fulham for £3.3m
- Zanka (defender): signed from Copenhagen for £2.3m
- Elias Kachunga (winger): signed for Ingolstadt for £1.1m
- Danny WIlliams (midfielder): signed from Reading on a free transfer