DUBAI // Weeks after the launch of the Dubai Parks and Resorts theme park hub, the company’s chief executive has addressed criticism made by some of the visitors to the Dh13.2 billion attraction.
While reaction has been mostly positive, some customers complained that not all the rides were open.
All the rides at Legoland and Legoland Water Park are fully operational, while at Bollywood Parks, only the Shah Rukh Khan-themed Don: The Chase 3D interactive ride is yet to open.
At Motiongate, the Lionsgate zone, which features two Hunger Games-inspired rides, will not open until March, and the Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs-themed River Expedition, and some Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon rides in the park’s DreamWorks zone have yet to become operational – they will be opening “very soon,” said a spokeswoman.
Complaints about the rides not being opened were made on the travel website TripAdvisor.
Raed Al Nuaimi, chief executive of DXB Entertainments, owners of Dubai Parks and Resorts, said the park had a number of discount tickets for visitors to make up for the unfinished rides.
“We’re committed to providing our guests with the best customer experience, which is why we’ve put in place a variety of pricing packages that allow guests to enjoy their preferred rides and attractions,” he said.
Visitors are able to get a taste of all three theme parks – Legoland, Bollywood Parks and Motiongate – by taking advantage of an offer which runs until February 11, that allows access to all of the parks for Dh295 for one day, or Dh530 for two days.
IMG Worlds of Adventure indoor theme park, which also opened last year in Dubai, has been enticing visitors by reducing their rates from Dh300 per adult (Dh250 for children) to Dh195 (Dh150 for children).
Mr Al Nuaimi said visitor feedback on the parks was very important “not only to our destination but the overall industry in the region”.
“In three years, we accomplished something that has never been developed anywhere in the world – launching three theme parks, a water park, a retail and dining area and a hotel all in one destination and at the same time,” he said. “We are constantly gathering information and data, whether on the ground, in person, or through social media platforms.”
One visitor unimpressed by Motiongate was Sherine R, who commented on TripAdvisor last week: “We waited until January [to] visit thinking more rides will be open but that was not the case. Also, in addition to charging for the entry, the park takes Dh50 per car for parking!”
Bobby Bogdanov, a Bulgarian Dubai resident, did not feel that ticket prices provided good value for money.
“When it’s all open, this park will be amazing,” he said.
“But you need to open all the rides first, and then you can charge that much money.”
Sabah Khan was visiting with her husband and 14-month-old son Essa, on holiday from their home in Scotland.
She was unhappy there were not more rides they could take Essa on.
“Even the carousels at Motiongate and Bollywood Parks have strict height limits,” she said. “There is quite a lot open here though, and I definitely recommend families to come – just not couples like us with very young kids.”
Claire Price, a British software tester living in Mirdif, visited Legoland with her seven-year old son and was pleased.
“It’s great, and we don’t usually have to queue for the rides, which I’m very happy about,” she said. “We normally come here early and stay for the day.”
Hamda Al Murai, an Emirati from Abu Dhabi, was impressed by all the attractions at Motiongate, especially the hip-hop dance-themed theatre show, Step Up Dubai.
“They were so well rehearsed, it was like watching a movie, she said. “We could feel their energy on stage.”
newsdesk@thenational.ae
Company%20Profile
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Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
if you go
The flights
Emirates have direct flights from Dubai to Glasgow from Dh3,115. Alternatively, if you want to see a bit of Edinburgh first, then you can fly there direct with Etihad from Abu Dhabi.
The hotel
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Located in the heart of Mackintosh's Glasgow, the Dakota Deluxe is perhaps the most refined hotel anywhere in the city. Doubles from Dh850
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Events and tours
There are various Mackintosh specific events throughout 2018 – for more details and to see a map of his surviving designs see glasgowmackintosh.com
For walking tours focussing on the Glasgow Style, see the website of the Glasgow School of Art.
More information
For ideas on planning a trip to Scotland, visit www.visitscotland.com
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
In Full Flight: A Story of Africa and Atonement
John Heminway, Knopff
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi
Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
Rating: 2.5/5
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
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.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHigh%20fever%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIntense%20pain%20behind%20your%20eyes%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESevere%20headache%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENausea%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EVomiting%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESwollen%20glands%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERash%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIf%20symptoms%20occur%2C%20they%20usually%20last%20for%20two-seven%20days%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
FIVE%20TRENDS%20THAT%20WILL%20SHAPE%20UAE%20BANKING
%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20The%20digitisation%20of%20financial%20services%20will%20continue%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Managing%20and%20using%20data%20effectively%20will%20become%20a%20competitive%20advantage%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Digitisation%20will%20require%20continued%20adjustment%20of%20operating%20models%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Banks%20will%20expand%20their%20role%20in%20the%20customer%20life%20through%20ecosystems%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20The%20structure%20of%20the%20sector%20will%20change%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Results
Stage seven
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates, in 3:20:24
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers, at 1s
3. Pello Bilbao (ESP) Bahrain-Victorious, at 5s
General Classification
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates, in 25:38:16
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers, at 22s
3. Pello Bilbao (ESP) Bahrain-Victorious, at 48s
THREE
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Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
