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.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The five pillars of Islam
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
FIXTURES
All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT)
Tuesday
Mairobr v Liverpool
Spartak Moscow v Sevilla
Feyenoord v Shakhtar Donetsk
Manchester City v Napoli
Monaco v Besiktas
RB Leipzig v Porto
Apoel Nicosia v Borussia Dortmund
Real Madrid v Tottenham Hotspur
Wednesday
Benfica v Manchester United
CSKA Moscow v Basel
Bayern Munich v Celtic
Anderlecht v Paris Saint-Germain
Qarabag v Atletico Madrid
Chelsea v Roma
Barcelona v Olympiakos
Juventus v Sporting Lisbon
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Fringe@Four Line-up
October 1 - Phil Nichol (stand-up comedy)
October 29 - Mandy Knight (stand-up comedy)
November 5 - Sinatra Raw (Fringe theatre)
November 8 - Imah Dumagay & Sundeep Fernandes (stand-up comedy)
November 13 - Gordon Southern (stand-up comedy)
November 22 - In Loyal Company (Fringe theatre)
November 29 - Peter Searles (comedy / theatre)
December 5 - Sinatra’s Christmas Under The Stars (music / dinner show)
Six tips to secure your smart home
Most smart home devices are controlled via the owner's smartphone. Therefore, if you are using public wi-fi on your phone, always use a VPN (virtual private network) that offers strong security features and anonymises your internet connection.
Keep your smart home devices’ software up-to-date. Device makers often send regular updates - follow them without fail as they could provide protection from a new security risk.
Use two-factor authentication so that in addition to a password, your identity is authenticated by a second sign-in step like a code sent to your mobile number.
Set up a separate guest network for acquaintances and visitors to ensure the privacy of your IoT devices’ network.
Change the default privacy and security settings of your IoT devices to take extra steps to secure yourself and your home.
Always give your router a unique name, replacing the one generated by the manufacturer, to ensure a hacker cannot ascertain its make or model number.
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
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe
Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The%C2%A0specs%20
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E6-cylinder%2C%204.8-litre%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E5-speed%20automatic%20and%20manual%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E280%20brake%20horsepower%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E451Nm%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh153%2C00%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Scorecard
Scotland 220
K Coetzer 95, J Siddique 3-49, R Mustafa 3-35
UAE 224-3 in 43,5 overs
C Suri 67, B Hameed 63 not out
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The 15 players selected
Muzzamil Afridi, Rahman Gul, Rizwan Haider (Dezo Devils); Shahbaz Ahmed, Suneth Sampath (Glory Gladiators); Waqas Gohar, Jamshaid Butt, Shadab Ahamed (Ganga Fighters); Ali Abid, Ayaz Butt, Ghulam Farid, JD Mahesh Kumara (Hiranni Heros); Inam Faried, Mausif Khan, Ashok Kumar (Texas Titans
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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South Korea
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
More coverage from the Future Forum
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UJDA CHAMAN
Produced: Panorama Studios International
Directed: Abhishek Pathak
Cast: Sunny Singh, Maanvi Gagroo, Grusha Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla
Rating: 3.5 /5 stars
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
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Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
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.
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
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESmartCrowd%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiddiq%20Farid%20and%20Musfique%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%20%2F%20PropTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24650%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2035%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVarious%20institutional%20investors%20and%20notable%20angel%20investors%20(500%20MENA%2C%20Shurooq%2C%20Mada%2C%20Seedstar%2C%20Tricap)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
