Malls in the UAE provide far more than just stores and food courts. They have evolved into entertainment complexes, filled with a variety of activities for people of various ages and energy levels. There are lots of options for high-adrenaline indoor amusement, from a snow park to a roller coaster, especially during the hot summer months.
Reem Mall and Snow Abu Dhabi
Snow Abu Dhabi is a sub-zero indoor park that recently opened in Reem Mall, brought to the UAE capital by the creators of the famed Ski Dubai. The 9,732-square-metre facility is located on the second level of the new mall and features a variety of snow-themed activities, including the Troll Bowl, where visitors get inside an inflatable ball that rolls down a snowy slope, and the Flight of the Snowy Owl, a suspended rollglider that travels around the park.
Snow Abu Dhabi, unlike Ski Dubai, does not provide a skiing experience. Within the enchanted forest-themed snow park, there are restaurants and cafes.
Dubai Mall, Play DXB
Dubai Mall, the largest mall in the UAE, includes numerous interior attractions, one of which is a virtual reality theme park named Play DXB. It’s a cross between an arcade and a theme park with rides, but all of the activities are VR-enhanced. With rides and activities for all ages, the two-story complex is great for a family day out.
City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Al Zahia, and Immersive Gamebox
Earlier this year, the UK game business introduced its Immersive Gamebox concept to the UAE. The gaming zone is located inside the Magic Planet shops in City Centre Mirdif in Dubai and City Centre Al Zahia in Sharjah, and it has high-tech rooms with proprietary touch screens, 3D motion tracking, and surround sound.
The experience is comparable to that of playing virtual reality games, but it promises to be almost gearless. The games, which are also available in Arabic, are designed for two to six players, each of whom must wear a visor. There are now 12 titles available, including the well-known Squid Game and Angry Birds. They usually last 15 to 30 minutes, however certain titles can go up to an hour.
Al Ghurair Centre Dubai, Glitch
The indoor entertainment complex lies on the second floor of Deira’s Al Ghurair Centre. The 3,716-square-metre area is a hybrid of an arcade, a theme park, and a playground. More than 30 activities are scattered across the room. Children as young as four can enjoy Pandora’s Peak, one of the park’s primary attractions, which features cloud-shaped structures to climb through.
They make it to the top of a 10-meter-high slide that circles back to the bottom. All of the games and activities are individually priced, although there are discounts available based on the group activity. Packages for the roller glider, for example, start at Dh35. Bowling begins at Dh30 each round, and arcade games begin at Dh25.
Yas Mall, Rainforest Cafe, and Dubai Festival City Mall
The Rainforest Cafe is a wonderful alternative for those searching for a more relaxed atmosphere. The cafe is created to resemble a jungle environment, complete with foliage, animal figurines, and ambient nature sounds.
The rainforest burger, lava nachos, chicken tenders, and Amazon fajitas are among the American-style staples on the menu. The family-friendly setting is particularly ideal for birthday celebrations, which is one of the restaurant’s core services.
Dubai Mall, Dubai Ice Rink
The Olympic-sized ice rink on the bottom floor is one of Dubai Mall’s centerpieces. Aside from recreational ice skating, the site also operates a school that accepts students all year. Private events, such as birthday parties or corporate team building, can be held at the rink. It also hosts a regular DJ night, which includes a 90-minute ice skating experience accompanied by dance music and rounded off with falling faux snow.
Ski Dubai and the Malls of the Emirates
When it first launched in 2005, Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates was the first of its type in the Middle East. It has five ski slopes, a family-friendly snow park, and a variety of other winter-themed activities, such as visiting penguins and Snow Cinema, where guests can watch a movie in sub-zero conditions while wrapped in a warm blanket and sipping hot chocolate.
