Prepare to be dazzled by one of the city’s largest entertainment zones – Dubai Parks & Resorts. Sitting on the outskirts of Dubai, this theme park Mecca is made up of three theme parks, one water park, a luxury resort and an outlet mall, all interconnected by an entertainment zone, Riverland.
Please note, due to Covid-19 safety measures, Dubai Parks & Resorts temporarily suspended operations in March 2020. All parks have re-opened now, with some new rides and additions at Motiongate and Bollywood. Legoland Dubai Water Park will remain closed in February 2021 for annual maintenance
How to get to Dubai Parks and Resorts
Dubai Parks & Resorts is outside of the main city centre of Dubai, to the west of the city in an area known as Jebel Ali. It is just before you reach the border with neighbouring emirate Abu Dhabi.
Public Transport to Dubai Parks & Resorts
The Dubai Metro does not go quite as far west as Dubai Parks and Resorts so you will need to make a transfer if travelling by public transport. Your options are:
- Take the Red Line Dubai Metro as far as Ibn Battuta Metro Station then jump on the DPR1 Bus.
- The bus departs 13 times a day from the Metro Station (and vice versa from Dubai Parks & Resorts) and costs AED 5 for a journey.
- Drop off is at two points at VIP Parking & the taxi centre (Near French Village)
- This bus service runs from 7am to11.10pm.
- You can get the current bus timetable here.
- Alternatively, catch the Red Line Dubai Metro as far as JLT Metro Station (UAE Exchange), and from here you can catch a taxi (approximately 40AED/$11USD).
Private Transport to Dubai Parks & Resorts
Taxis, Careem & Uber are also available. You can expect to pay approximately:
- 60AED from Dubai Marina
- 100AED from Downtown Dubai
- 120AED from Dubai International Airport/Bur Dubai.
If you have a private vehicle, they have changed the public parking to now be completely free in the VIP and General Parking lots. If you wish to valet then expect to pay 100AED in the VIP Car Park.
Dubai Parks and Resorts Timing
The opening hours of Dubai Parks & Resorts vary by season and by park. In the winter months, the opening times are:
Legoland Dubai Opening Times
- Sat to Wed: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Thu to Fri: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Legoland Water Park Opening Times
- Sat to Wed: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Thu to Fri: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Motiongate Dubai Opening Times
- Sat to Wed: 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Thu to Fri: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Bollywood Parks Opening Times
- Sat to Wed: 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Thu to Fri: 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Summer at Dubai Parks and Resorts
All of Dubai Parks and Resorts remained closed over summer 2020 as a COVID-19 precautionary measure. As a guide, the amended opening hours for the parks in Summer 2019 which applied from Ramadan through until 31 October were:
Legoland Dubai Summer Opening Times
- Sat to Wed: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Thu to Fri: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Legoland Water Park Summer Opening Times
- Sat to Wed: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Thu to Fri: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Motiongate Dubai Summer Opening Times
- Sat to Wed: 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Thu to Fri: 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Bollywood Parks Summer Opening Times
- Sat to Wed: 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Thu to Fri: 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM
The following perks are also offered over summer:
- Free parking for all in the VIP Car Park
- Complimentary Buggies and Dotto trains will operate from the car park and between the parks during the following times:
- MOTIONGATE™ Dubai: 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- BOLLYWOOD PARKS™ Dubai: 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- LEGOLAND®: 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM
There’s a good guide here on what to expect when visiting Dubai Parks & Resorts over the hottest months to ensure you still maximise what the parks have to offer indoors.
What to expect at each of the theme parks
Let’s take a deep dive into what you can expect at each of the theme parks.
Note that you can either buy single-day tickets to one park, or 2-park-1 day passes. These are available at each of the parks ticket offices, or to avoid any queuing you can book your tickets through online ticket sellers (like Get Your Guide) and just bring the voucher or QR code with you.
>>> See multi-park ticket options for Dubai Parks & Resorts here
Legoland Dubai, Dubai Parks & Resorts
Legoland is a family theme park targetted at younger children. There are plenty of fun games, rides and shows to enjoy.
The park is based around an indoor “Miniland” depicting a Dubai cityscape, as well as many important buildings from around the Middle East region and a display of the world’s tallest towers. The park is then split into four ‘lands’ – City, Kingdoms, Imagination & Adventure. Don’t miss the Lego Factory too where you can learn how Lego bricks are made and take home a souvenir Lego brick.
The rides at Legoland Dubai range from sedate to moderately thrilling (for a 10-year-old at least) and there are several character meet & greet opportunities as well as a 4D theatre and live Ninjago stage show. There are Lego building areas dotted around each of the lands as well as restaurants and retail shops (you can find the best discounted Lego in Kingdoms!)
Although pitched at 2 to 12-years-old, the ideal audience is really your 4 to 10-year-old crowd. Smaller children may enjoy it, but you will find there are many height-restricted rides below 105cm. Those over 10-years-old might start to find it a little babyish.
>>> Buy your tickets to Legoland Dubai here
Legoland Dubai Water Park, Dubai Parks & Resorts
Sitting right next door to Legoland Dubai you will find Legoland Water Park. Separate entry tickets are needed for the two, though you can get your hands on 2-for-1 passes that get you into both. It is possible to see both parks on one day as neither is overly large.
It is aimed at your younger children so your tweens+ might not be enthralled but for those with under 10’s it’s perfect; far less crowded on a warm day than many of Dubai’s other large water parks and less “big kids” to contend with. The whole family can enjoy the Build-a-Raft lazy river and the wave pool is popular. Pre-teen kids do have a good choice of rides and slides, whilst your littlest ones will enjoy Duplo Splash Safari.
Top tips for Legoland Dubai
- Unsure about what to wear at a UAE water park? We have a detailed guide here to expected dress code in the UAE and what is appropriate in different situations. At a water park, much like a resort the dress standard is different BUT still bear in mind your cultural situation. You will see ladies wearing anything from two-piece bathers through to Burkinis at Dubai water parks. You can find the dress policy for Legoland Dubai Water Park here.
- Cabanas are available for hire on a first-come basis. If visiting on weekend or public holiday especially, you may want to get there at opening time.
- The park closes for two weeks in the coldest winter months around Jan/Feb for annual maintenance, check exact dates if you are looking to visit around this time to avoid disappointment.
>>> Buy your tickets to Legoland Waterpark here
Motiongate Dubai, Dubai Parks & Resorts
Motiongate is a Hollywood movie-based theme park bringing together many childhood favourites in one place. Divided into four zones you will find themed rides and entertainment from Lionsgate (think Hunger Games), Columbia Pictures (Ghost Busters, Hotel Transylvania), DreamWorks (cartoon favourites Madagascar through to Shrek) and Smurfs Village.
All up there are 27 rides and attractions spread indoors and outdoors making it easy to visit year-round. There are plenty of character meet and greets throughout the day and each section of the park has its own themed eateries.
Top tips for visiting Motiongate Dubai
- The rides towards the back of Dreamworks get busiest on weekends, head to Dragons and Madagscar first!
- DreamWorks is entirely indoors. On hot days we like to start here then work your way back through the park as the sun goes down.
>>> Buy your tickets to Motiongate Dubai here
Bollywood Parks, Dubai Parks & Resorts
Bollywood is all about live entertainment and interactive experiences, more so than the rides – a real taste of Mumbai in Dubai! Based on the Indian film industry you can expect to find 4D theatre adventures through to epic street performances and dance shows.
The park is divided into five “zones” based on different Bollywood movies, each with themed rides, dining and entertainment; Bollywood Boulevard, Mumbai Chowk, Rustic Ravine, Royal Plaza and Bollywood Film Studios. The two most popular ride attractions here are Krrish and Sholey.
Top tips for visitors to Bollywood Dubai
- Best enjoyed for its atmosphere, you ideally need to wait until after dark to really enjoy the Bollywood experience.
- The park isn’t huge so it doesn’t take a full afternoon/evening; look to time your trip around the shows you want to see.
>>> Buy your tickets to Bollywood Parks here
Riverland at Dubai Parks & Resorts
Not a theme park per se, Riverland is a collection of themed “villages” to tie the theme parks together. You will be taken from an ancient French Village, through to 1950’s style American diners and early 19th-century European architecture. Riverland has a huge variety of dining options for all tastes and budgets as well as live street performers and roving entertainment.
In winter, it is also plays host to The Wonder Maze – a portable maze with multiple challenges but only one way to the centre! Don’t worry about getting bored as every couple of weeks they change the path.
Where to stay visiting Dubai Parks & Resorts
There are now two accommodation options which provide great access to Dubai Parks and Resorts; Lapita Resort and budget option Rove at the Park.
Watch this space in 2021 though, we’re expecting the first Middle East Lego Hotel to open immediately adjacent to Legoland Dubai!
Lapita, Dubai Parks & Resorts, Autograph Collection
Lapita is the luxury offering at Dubai Parks & Resorts. It sits immediately adjacent to the parks and is accessible by foot or cart immediately into Riverland. The Polynesian themed resort is easily on a par what you would expect of Dubai’s best beach resorts when it comes to service, facilities and food offering – just with the convenience for park guests!
The resort has several on-site dining options, a lazy river, a great pool and Ola Spa. There’s also the Luna and Nova Kids and Teen Clubs, so even when you’re not in the theme parks, the kids can be kept entertained.
>>> Learn more about Lapita & check prices here
Rove at the Park
Brand new in 2019, Rove at the Park offers visitors a budget alternative, just 15 minutes away by shuttle or foot. The Rove brand in Dubai is synonymous with cheaper accommodation with funky and fun interiors, suitable to the younger more “backpackers” crowd with a hip vibe, as much as families on a budget looking for suites and interconnecting rooms.
Rove at the Park is a great new alternative, sitting just behind the main parks complex, opposite the Outlet Mall. You will find on-site dining options, as well as a minimart here, walking distance to the outlet too for further options. Their shuttle service still keeps the theme parks within easy reach.
>>> Learn more about Rove at the Park & check prices here.
You can check all other nearby accommodation options for Dubai Parks & Resorts, though be aware, you will need transportation from other hotels & Airbnbs to get to the Parks entrance.
Before you go… More important things you should know when planning a trip to Dubai
- Pop into our essential planning information page, it includes everything you need to know about getting around Dubai, a handy guide on what to pack, and top tips for first-timers on the do’s and don’ts, laws, and customs to be aware of.
- Check out this incredible list of 150+ places you should visit when you’re in Dubai.
- Pick up a Dubai Pass from iVenture or a Go City Dubai Pass to save up to 50% on top Dubai attractions.
- Don’t forget to pack your travel insurance!!!
- Discover the best areas to stay in Dubai, or bag a bargain on your accommodation here:
Take me back to the Dubai Attractions home page
Please note we are not a travel agency. This site is a travel blog to help newcomers to the UAE and transit passengers self plan their trip, we cannot book your flights, hotels, visas or connections for you. We may make a small commission if you click on any of our recommendation links.
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