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.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
SPECS
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The five pillars of Islam
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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.
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Race card
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m
6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m
7pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m
The five pillars of Islam
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier
Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August
Group A
Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar
Group B
UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
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Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Day 5, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Given the problems Sri Lanka have had in recent times, it was apt the winning catch was taken by Dinesh Chandimal. He is one of seven different captains Sri Lanka have had in just the past two years. He leads in understated fashion, but by example. His century in the first innings of this series set the shock win in motion.
Stat of the day This was the ninth Test Pakistan have lost in their past 11 matches, a run that started when they lost the final match of their three-Test series against West Indies in Sharjah last year. They have not drawn a match in almost two years and 19 matches, since they were held by England at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi in 2015.
The verdict Mickey Arthur basically acknowledged he had erred by basing Pakistan’s gameplan around three seam bowlers and asking for pitches with plenty of grass in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Why would Pakistan want to change the method that has treated them so well on these grounds in the past 10 years? It is unlikely Misbah-ul-Haq would have made the same mistake.
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
SPECS
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The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
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FIGHT%20CARD
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Results
STAGE
1 . Filippo Ganna (Ineos) - 0:13:56
2. Stefan Bissegger (Education-Nippo) - 0:00:14
3. Mikkel Bjerg (UAE Team Emirates) - 0:00:21
4. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) - 0:00:24
5. Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) - 0:00:30
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) - 4:00:05
2. Joao Almeida (QuickStep) - 0:00:05
3. Mattia Cattaneo (QuickStep) - 0:00:18
4. Chris Harper (Jumbo-Visma) - 0:00:33
5. Adam Yates (Ineos) - 0:00:39
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m; Winner: Gurm, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Al Nafece, Al Muatasm Al Balushi, Mohammed Ramadan
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Adrie de Vries, Ibrahim Aseel
6.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Ottoman, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7pm: Liwa Oasis – Group 2 (PA) 300,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Hakeemat Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ganbaru, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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