Dubai Parks and Resorts reopens October 7: Everything you need to know about the new season

Dubai: Ready for adventure? Dubai Parks and Resorts is reopening its gates on October 7 – just in time for the UAE’s mid-term school break – with a whole new season of rides, games, immersive worlds, and family entertainment. As you count down to the new season, here’s a reminder of what’s in store for you at the Middle East’s largest integrated theme park resort. Read on to find out what’s on, what’s new, ticket prices, and how to book. What is Dubai Parks and Resorts? Just 30 minutes from Downtown Dubai lies Dubai Parks and Resorts, a multi-themed leisure and entertainment destination operated by Dubai Holding Entertainment. It brings together three world-class theme parks, a waterpark, and an indoor play zone – MOTIONGATE Dubai, Real Madrid World, LEGOLAND Dubai and LEGOLAND Waterpark, and Neon Galaxy Indoor Playworld – under one roof. Across its parks, you can enjoy more than 100 rides, shows and attractions that cater to families, thrill-seekers and football fans alike. The sprawling site is also home to the World of Riverland, a free-to-enter dining and entertainment district featuring more than 50 restaurants. If you’d like to stay a while, the resort features four hotels (including a brand-new dinosaur themed glamping site) that makes it a complete weekend destination for both residents and visitors to Dubai. When is it opening and where can I buy tickets? After closing for the summer, the new season of Dubai Parks and Resorts is reopening on October 7, 2026. You can visit their official website to buy tickets: dubaiparksandresorts.com. Where is it located? Dubai Parks and Resorts is located close to The Outlet Village, just off the E11 (Sheikh Zayed Road). What are the key entertainment features of Dubai Parks and Resorts? At Riverland Dubai's Neon Galaxy, you can get your kids to direct their energy at a vibrant, 860-square-metre indoor playground, designed for children and young teens. Picture credit: Visit Dubai From rollercoasters to medieval kingdoms, here’s a closer look at each park, and what it has to offer. 1. MOTIONGATE Dubai As the Middle East’s largest Hollywood-inspired theme park, MOTIONGATE Dubai is where rides and movies collide. Explore over 25 rides and rollercoasters based on films, and meet characters from studios such as Columbia Pictures, DreamWorks Animation and Lionsgate. Try Dragon Gliders, a suspended rollercoaster over the Forbidden Islands (from the animated film How to Train Your Dragon), or check out a live performance at the Kung Fu Panda Academy. Become part of The Hunger Games, or experience the world’s fastest single-car spinning rollercoaster, based on the heist thriller Now You See Me. The theme park offers both indoor and outdoor activities and zones, including exhibits, street performances starring fan-favourites, like Shrek or the Smurfs, as well as shows, and filmmaking studio tours. Who is it for: All ages are welcome at the park. However, children below 13 must be accompanied by an adult. While this park has play areas for toddlers, the attractions and rides are best suited for children who are older, as they can interact with their favourite characters and better appreciate the immersive, cinematic themes presented. Timings: MOTIONGATE Dubai is open from 11am to 8pm (Sunday to Thursday) and 11am to 9pm (Friday and Saturday). Access to attractions closes 30 minutes prior to the park closing. Ticket prices: Starting from Dh295. 2. Real Madrid World The world's first football themed park is right here in Dubai. Real Madrid World is back for its second full season. Spread across three zones – Champions Avenue, Celebration Plaza and Stars Avenue – it features over 40 experiences and attractions, including the Hala Madrid Coaster, the region’s first wooden roller coaster, and the Stars Flyer, the world's tallest swing chair ride at 140 metres. Try the Bernabéu Experience virtual reality simulator, which transports you to the locker room of the Madrid-based stadium, or test your football skills at La Fábrica Training Pitch. What’s new: This year, Real Madrid World is unveiling a brand-new football tribute – a statue of a mystery football legend – on October 14. Who is it for: Football fans of all ages will find plenty to keep them busy. Children below 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Timings: Real Madrid World is open from 12pm to 9pm (Sunday to Thursday) and 12pm to 10pm (Friday and Saturday). Access to attractions closes 30 minutes prior to the park closing. Ticket prices: Starting from Dh295. 3. LEGOLAND Dubai The LEGOLAND theme park lets kids imagine, interact, create and build, with more than 40 rides and attractions in six themed lands – Factory, LEGO City, Imagination, Kingdoms, Adventure, and Miniland. You can spot iconic Dubai and Middle East landmarks in Miniland, created using 20 million LEGO bricks, or steer your own LEGO boat, or even go for a spin on the Lego Technic Twister. Kids can even become firemen or get their exclusive kids’ driver’s lic