This October 31, when the phased opening of the Dh10.5 billion Dubai Parks & Resorts begins, visitors will be first enticed by Riverland Dubai, the themed 234,000 square foot ‘reception’ area with a river at its centre.
No tickets are required to access this retail and dining destination, designed like a theme park itself, and which forms the entryway to the three main theme parks of the 25 million square feet Dubai Parks & Resorts: Bollywood Parks, Legoland Dubai and Legoland Water Park and Motiongate.
Riverland Dubai will open along with Legoland Dubai on October 31, while Bollywood Parks and Legoland Water Park will open on November 15. The Hollywood-themed Motiongate will open on December 16.
“We wanted to create a place where everyone’s welcome, at the heart of Dubai Parks & Resorts,” said Marcel Hendriks, the general manager of Riverland Dubai. “We want to entertain, we want you to come and spend time with your family and feel like you’re somewhere completely different.”
Riverland has been divided into four main zones: India Gate, close to the entry to Bollywood Park, which is designed like 1930s India; French Village, near Legoland Dubai, features Mediterranean-style dining harking back to Europe in the 1600s; Boardwalk, inspired by America in the 1950s, with restaurants to match; and The Peninsula, a live concerts and festivals zone along the river.
A 1km-long river runs through all four zones, which will soon feature boat rides and water-based attractions. More than 57 restaurants are set to open, some licensed.
“We tried to find dining concepts that are popular in Dubai but also brought in new ones. When people come here, they come for the parks, but we want them to stay and hang out here. We also have also four events spaces including a 1,200-capacity indoor venue and three outside,” said Hendriks.
The area will be open from 10am to 1am daily with discussions already being held with Dubai’s transport authorities and hotels to provide shuttle services to its Jebel Ali location.
“We want to see happy people everywhere,” said Hendriks. “We want them to come walk on the bright side.”
Ahead of the opening, here are five things you should know about Riverland Dubai.
It’s massive
At 234,000 square feet covering four main zones, this attraction right in the middle of the Dubai Parks & Resorts is big. There will be more than 57 restaurants, including licensed ones, each fitting in with the zones. There will be banks, a spa and food and services kiosks. There’s also four event spaces, including three outdoor and a large indoor multi-purpose venue for celebrations, parties and meetings.
It’s free
There will be no entry charge to go into Riverland Dubai and you can stay as long as you like during opening hours, which are from 10am to 1am daily. You’ll have to pay for your food and drinks and when you go into the theme parks.
The river
A river runs through it. Yes, this 1km waterbody connects the entire zone, running through many of the 57 dining and events zones that will soon open. The meandering river is six metres deep and is 50 metres at its widest point. More than 188,00 cubic metres of water has been used to make it look like a real river. Soon, boats will be added to take visitors from one point to the other.
The zones
The four main zones have been created to take advantage of the four main attractions Riverland Dubai leads you to. The French Village (near the Legoland Dubai entrance) is a recreation of a medieval French town, featuring European historic architecture from the late 1600s. Think cobbled streets where you can enjoy coffee and Mediterranean food. More than 1,000 trees were flown in to make it authentic. And, according to Hendriks, they’re already thriving.
The Boardwalk (near the entrance of Lapita, the Polynesian-themed resort hotel, which is due to open at the beginning of December) will feature jugglers, live entertainment and neon signage all around, along with casual dining options and quick-service restaurants. India Gate welcomes guests with musicians and acrobats. There will be food, of course, and lots of shops and a piazza. Finally, The Peninsula is surrounded by the river and offers a large outdoor venue. This is where all the licensed restaurants will be.
The location
Once the Dubai Parks and Resorts fully opens, this Jebel Ali destination is going to be the centre of a lot of action. It’s is approximately 45 minutes from the Dubai International Airport, 15 minutes from Al Maktoum International Airport, 30 minutes from Dubai and 45 minutes from Abu Dhabi.
Riverland Dubai opens on October 31. For more, go to dubaiparksandresorts.com
