Theme Parks Near Dubai: Theme Parks of the UAE With Reviews
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Dubai is an absolute dream destination for lovers of theme parks. There are numerous wonderful and modern parks within the city limits and in nearby Abu Dhabi.
Theme Parks in The United Arab Emirates: (Jump To)
We used the wonderful Go City Pass to save loads of money on attractions in Dubai. Check it out by clicking this affiliate link: Go City - Dubai
IMG Worlds of Adventure
IMG Dubai theme park is the massive, fully indoor Marvel theme park in Dubai with epic zones for Cartoon Network, Lost Valley dinosaurs, and Avengers-scale thrills that stay blissfully air-conditioned all day. Book Dubai theme park tickets in advance, arrive at opening for The Velociraptor coaster, and use taxis or rideshare for the quickest hop to this dome on your Dubai theme park list.
Map: Google Maps
Website: Link
Tickets: GetYourGuide
This theme park is entirely indoors under a giant dome. Inside you’re safe from the harsh desert sun cooled by a steady flow of air conditioning.
The park has five different areas that they refer to as “epic zones.” The Cartoon Network area has rides themed to popular shows like Adventure Time, Powerpuff Girls, and Ben 10. Many of the rides in the area are equivalent to themed carnival rides.
Probably the most popular area in the park is the Marvel-themed area. The highlight is the unique Hulk ride inside a stereoscopic cinema dome.
Also notable is the dinosaur-themed area, Lost Valley. Here you’ll find The Velociraptor, a full rollercoaster that shoots you briefly into the bright hot Dubai desert for a thrilling shock to the senses.
The park is best accessed via taxi or rideshare from anywhere in Dubai.
Motiongate
Motiongate blends DreamWorks, Lionsgate, and Columbia Pictures into a slick Hollywood playground with dark rides, indoor lands, and headline coasters that make a perfect daytime pairing with the nearby Riverland promenade. To round out your Dubai theme park list, grab Dubai theme park tickets online and cap the night with a spin through the Dubai Mall theme park attractions before the fountains.
Map: Google Maps
Website: Link
Tickets: GetYourGuide
Inspired by Hollywood and the spirit of filmmaking this large theme park has attractions themed to DreamWorks Animation, Columbia Pictures, Lionsgate, as well as a large Smurf zone.
Some of your favorite film characters will likely be somewhere in the park. There are rides themed to The Ghostbusters, Zombieland, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, John Wick, The Green Hornet, and Hotel Transylvania.
The large indoor area has rides themed to Dreamworks animated characters Shrek, Madagascar, Kung-Fu Panda, and How to Train Your Dragon. The Shrek dark ride was a highlight of the park.
There are also opportunities to see different stage shows in the park.
BollywoodParks Dubai
Once a unique park celebrating Indian cinema with big stage shows and the Taj-Mahal-inspired Rajmahal Theatre, BollywoodParks Dubai has had periods of closure—check current status before you go and slot an alternative from your Dubai theme park list if needed. If it’s open during your trip, expect stylized dark rides, musical spectacles, and easy transport from the nearby resort cluster shared with Motiongate.
Map: Google Maps
**As of Summer 2023, BollywoodParks appears to have closed indefinitely.
Right next to Motiongate is a unique park themed to the films and spirit of the Indian film industry, Bollywood. The theming of the park is legendary with a huge Taj Mahal-inspired theatre at the center of the park.
The rides all have an interesting flare. a favorite was Sholay: The Hunt for Gabbar Singh a 3D dark ride with beautiful artful animation and a story that seemed very unique for a theme park experience.
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi is a world-class, fully indoor park where Gotham and Metropolis deliver cutting-edge rides for Batman and Superman alongside family favorites in Cartoon Junction and Bedrock. It’s an easy day trip from Dubai by car or shuttle; lock in Dubai theme park tickets or Yas combo passes ahead of time and consider a budget base like Premier Inn Dubai Investments Park Dubai if you’re park-hopping across the region.
Map: Google Maps
Website: Link
Tickets: GetYourGuide
Our favorite of the parks we visited was Warner Bros. World. The park is situated in the nearby city of Abu Dhabi and is accessible via a free daily shuttle bus from the Ibn Battuta Mall.
Opened just three years ago (2018) at the cost of $1 Billion the park is the world’s largest indoor theme park. The 1.65 million square feet of air-conditioned space holds some world-class attractions.
Themed to popular properties under the WB banner the most notable sections lean on the DC comics heroes (Batman, Superman, and the villains like The Joker and The Riddler). The rides in these areas use the most up to date and modern ride technology. We were blown away by every ride.
Also fun is the Flintstones area where you’ll find a themed log flume ride and a “Brontosaurs Burger” restaurant.
It wouldn’t be WB without Bug Bunny and company. The Cartoon Junction section of the park has a great Roadrunner and Wile E. Coyote coaster, Fast and Furry-ous. There are also rides for Scooby-Doo and The Jetsons.
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
Home to Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest coaster, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi mixes record breakers with brand-rich exhibits and family attractions under an iconic red roof on Yas Island. Pair it with Warner Bros. World the same day, and if you’re comparing water parks in UAE with prices for a cool-down, note that nearby Yas Waterworld often bundles well with Ferrari World for better value.
Map: Google Maps
Website: Link
Tickets: GetYourGuide
Also in Abu Dhabi and within walking distance (or free shuttle bus) from Warner Bros. World is Ferrari World. This is another huge indoor theme park.
The park is notable because it is home to Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest rollercoaster.
Ferrari lovers will enjoy the in-depth theming and information related to the brand and the history of the Italian carmaker.
We found the park to be a little small for the high admission price.
Read about our visit to Ferrari World’s sister park in Spain.
Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark
Atlantis Dubai water theme park (Aquaventure) earns top billing with Leap of Faith through the shark lagoon, Trident Tower’s next-gen slides, a mile-long lazy river, and a private beach—truly the atlantis dubai theme park for water lovers. For the best deals on water parks in UAE with prices you can compare, buy dated tickets online, arrive at rope-drop, and budget a full day for queues, lockers, and lunch inside the resort.
Map: Google Maps
Website: Link
Tickets: GetYourGuide
Atlantis Water Park Dubai is located within Atlantis The Palm with record-breaking slides, a mile-long lazy river, and a private beach. Don’t miss Leap of Faith shooting past the shark lagoon, Poseidon’s Revenge trapdoor plunge, Trident Tower’s beasts like Odyssey of Terror, family rafts on Shockwave, and the giant Splashers kids’ fortress; it’s easily a full-day park if you love water rides and warm sun.
Practical tips: arrive right at opening to sprint through the biggest slides before lines build, wear water shoes or flip-flops for hot surfaces, and expect locker and towel rentals plus optional cabanas if you want shade. Tickets can be bought direct or bundled with other attractions on passes like Go City Dubai; check current inclusions and blackout dates before you go.
Getting there is simple by taxi or the Palm Monorail to Atlantis Aquaventure station; rides run continuously and signage is clear once you arrive at the resort. Life jackets are free and widely available, modest swimwear is recommended, and GoPro-style cameras are restricted on some slides—staff will let you know what’s allowed.
If you want to stretch the day, pair Aquaventure with The Lost Chambers Aquarium next door or linger for sunset on the resort beach before heading back into the city.
