Legoland Dubai To Feature 15,000 Lego Structures In Six Themed Areas

Merlin Entertainment, the operator of Legoland Dubai, one of the theme parks coming up in the massive Dubai Parks & Resorts development, has revealed new details about the project.

The park is being developed in conjunction with Limited, a Meraas holding company and is scheduled to open in 2016, a statement said.

It will be the first Legoland park in the Middle East and the seventh worldwide.

Located in Jebel Ali, the park is spread across three million square feet and will feature over 15,000 Lego model structures made from 60 million Lego bricks. This includes 40 interactive rides, shows and attractions set in six themed areas – Lego City, Adventure, Lego Kingdom, Create, Lego Factory, and Miniland.

Nick Varney, CEO of Merlin Entertainments said: “Dubai is the most important tourist centre in the Middle East and we believe that it is the ideal place for Legoland.

“Not only is the Lego concept already very popular here, but Legoland’s unique appeal for families with younger children is universal, making it a must do visit not just for ‘local’ visitors from Dubai and neighbouring Middle Eastern states; but also tourists visiting the region from all over the world.”

Dubai Parks & Resorts, being developed by Meraas, is a Dhs10 billion complex of five theme parks announced by Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in November 2012. The project is expected to attract five million visitors in its first year of operation.

The first phase of the project will feature Legoland Dubai, a Hollywood themed park called Motiongate Dubai and Bollywood Parks Dubai.

Last week, Meraas confirmed that Motiongate, spread across four million square feet, is anticipated to attract three million visitors a year.

The theme park will host four zones – including a dedicated DreamWorks Animation zone – with a total of 27 attractions, and retail, dining and entertainment options across all areas.

Set for completion in 2016, Phase 1 of the project will also feature Riverpark, a grand entrance plaza and Lapita, a family themed hotel.

Riverpark, which will be spread across an area of 120,000 square metres, will offer retail outlets, casual dining options, quick service restaurants and other facilities such as a large arena for hosting community events, street entertainment and a range of outdoor activities.

A kilometer-long canal will also run through the development, and will feature cafes and retail outlets lining its side and water taxis to make commute easier for visitors.