Shuttle bus is only road to Sandance for 17,000 revellers on New Year’s Eve

DUBAI // More than 17,000 revellers will be heading to Sandance on the Palm Jumeirah on New Year’s Eve – and there is only one way to get on the island.

Access is being restricted as Dubai attempts to break the world record for the largest fireworks display.

Those attending the gig at Nasimi Beach at Atlantis The Palm can only get there by taking a shuttle bus from the American Univesity in Dubai.

They must visit stations at the university’s car park to exchange their tickets for wristbands before they board a bus to the venue. Everyone must have proof of identity.

“The buses will have an exclusive lane to the venue, it will only take eight to 10 minutes to get there,” said Dima Ayad, vice president of marketing for entertainment, food and beverage at Atlantis.

“The buses will operate from 5pm to 9pm, there is no other way to get to Sandance.”

The rule also applies to Palm residents attending the gig.

“The private Palm pass that residents have will not get them to Sandance, it is not a Sandance pass,” Ms Ayad said. “You have to convert your tickets to wristbands. This can only be done at the ticketing stations in AUD.”

Ms Ayad said traffic restrictions were necessary due to safety zones designated for the fireworks.

“Our main goal is to ensure the comfort and safety of the public,” she said. “There has been major confusion regarding these safety measures but really this is a much smoother and easier solution to the whole thing.”

Buses and taxis will be available to take people home after Sandance.

Ms Ayad said organisers had been in touch with the Roads and Transport Authority to ensure a large number of taxis were available for crowds leaving the venue.

“We want people to be part of the most exciting event and enjoy New Year’s celebrations in peace. Don’t drive, be safe and have a great night,” she said.

Dubai Police, RTA and other bodies are working on a traffic management plan to accommodate the fireworks display.

The attempt has taken more than 120,000 man hours to set up.

The six-minute display will span the Palm and The World Islands, although organisers will try to break the existing Guinness World Record within the first minute.

More than 200 expert pyrotechnicians, 400 firing locations and 100 computers will control the show down to the last millisecond.

The attempt will cover about 100 kilometres of seafront and will feature more than 400,000 fireworks, the latter part of the display specially choreographed to music.

The display, which includes a Flying Falcon, the national flag and a sunrise scene will begin shortly before midnight.

Visible from numerous vantage points across Dubai, all Palm Jumeirah hotels will host events to celebrate their involvement in the attempt.

The display will feature 60-centimetre shells that will rise 600 metres above the seven World Island continents, each spreading out across 700 metres.

They will be the largest fireworks to be displayed in the Middle East.

A national flag will shown using embedded computer chips for precision firing. At 29,250 square metres, it will be the largest pyrotechnic flag ever fired.

Vehicles will not be allowed on Palm Jumeirah from 10.30pm until 1am on January 1, the Dubai Media Office said. Allowances will only be made in the case of an emergency.

Swimming and kayaking in the waters surrounding Palm Jumeirah will also be restricted on December 31. All delivery vehicles and outside caterers must have an event pass and all deliveries should be made before 5pm on New Year’s Eve.

The Palm Jumeirah monorail will be closed from December 26 to January 2.

malkhan@thenational.ae