DUBAI // Some of the big screen’s most popular cartoon characters will be on hand to entertain visitors when the Motiongate theme park opens later this year.
From helping ghostbusters catch ghouls and goblins, to soaring above the tree like the stars of How to Train your Dragon, film fans will have 27 thrilling rides and attractions to choose from.
The park opens in October and promises attractions based on films such as The Hunger Games, Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, The Green Hornet and Hotel Transylvania.
Motiongate is part of the Dh10.5 billion Dubai Parks and Resorts, a 2.3 million square metres development off Sheikh Zayed Road opposite the Palm Jebel Ali.
“We are taking guests beyond the screen, into a world of cinematic adventure at Motiongate Dubai with an action-packed line-up of Hollywood-inspired rides and attractions, from fast-paced roller coasters and multisensory theatre shows to imaginative play areas,” said Guido Zucchi, Motiongate general manager.
The park will be split into five zones: Studio Central, the park's entry boulevard, is designed to replicate a working movie set in New York City; Sony Pictures Studios features seven attractions based on Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Hotel Transylvania, and Ghostbusters; Dreamworks has 12 attractions inspired by How to Train your Dragon, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar and Shrek; Lionsgate has the world's first theme park attractions based on The Hunger Games; while the Smurfs Village has five attractions geared to younger visitors.
Elaine Hinds, the park’s director of entertainment, said Motiongate would open the same day as separate parks dedicated to Bollywood and Legoland.
“Each ride is different and offers something for everyone. The movie studios themselves are excited about the park,” she said.
The year-round venue has the potential to expand in future as more films are produced.
“Once the park opens I’m sure we will have sequels so we can introduce new rides and other entertainment,” Ms Hinds said.
Stanford Pinto, the park’s chief operating officer, said “movies are a favourite leisure pursuit in this region, and Motiongate Dubai is combining the best of Hollywood cinema, theme parks and live entertainment to create an amazing experience for our guests throughout their journey at Dubai Parks and Resorts”.
For more details visit dubaiparksandresorts.com
nhanif@thenational.ae
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
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• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
Company Profile
Name: Direct Debit System
Started: Sept 2017
Based: UAE with a subsidiary in the UK
Industry: FinTech
Funding: Undisclosed
Investors: Elaine Jones
Number of employees: 8
THE TWIN BIO
Their favourite city: Dubai
Their favourite food: Khaleeji
Their favourite past-time : walking on the beach
Their favorite quote: ‘we rise by lifting others’ by Robert Ingersoll
Directed: Smeep Kang
Produced: Soham Rockstar Entertainment; SKE Production
Cast: Rishi Kapoor, Jimmy Sheirgill, Sunny Singh, Omkar Kapoor, Rajesh Sharma
Rating: Two out of five stars
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The flights: Etihad, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin all fly from the UAE to London from Dh2,700 return, including taxes
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Entrance to the Harry Potter exhibition at the House of MinaLima is free
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Power: 118hp
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On sale: Now
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
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Company name: Klipit
Started: 2022
Founders: Venkat Reddy, Mohammed Al Bulooki, Bilal Merchant, Asif Ahmed, Ovais Merchant
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Digital receipts, finance, blockchain
Funding: $4 million
Investors: Privately/self-funded
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Name: JustClean
Based: Dubai with offices in other GCC countries
Launch year: 2016
Number of employees: 160+ with 21 nationalities in eight cities
Sector: online laundry and cleaning services
Funding: $30m from Kuwait-based Faith Capital Holding and Gulf Investment Corporation
Biography
Favourite book: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Holiday choice: Anything Disney-related
Proudest achievement: Receiving a presidential award for foreign services.
Family: Wife and three children.
Like motto: You always get what you ask for, the universe listens.
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Name: SmartCrowd
Started: 2018
Founder: Siddiq Farid and Musfique Ahmed
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech / PropTech
Initial investment: $650,000
Current number of staff: 35
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Various institutional investors and notable angel investors (500 MENA, Shurooq, Mada, Seedstar, Tricap)
