DUBAI // In spite of the searing summer heat, construction work at the region’s first theme park development is being carried out around the clock.
The final touches are being made ahead of the grand opening in October.
At Motiongate, 14,000 workers are busy building the 27 rides and attractions inspired by 13 blockbuster films.
Motiongate is part of Dubai Parks and Resorts and a collaboration by DreamWorks Pictures, Sony Pictures Studios and Lionsgate Entertainment.
Away from the newly-planted palm trees and the giant props from the Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs movie, the colour and shape of the project is beginning to emerge.
Rollercoaster frames are all but complete, the blue colour of the Smurfs' Zone juts out in the dusty landscape, and the Gothic architecture of Hotel Transylvania as well as New York and Hollywood-themed streets are taking shape next to Shrek's swamp and a Chinese Zone straight out of Kung Fu Panda.
A huge blue hangar, visible from Sheikh Zayed Road and large enough to fit five Airbus A380 aircraft wing to wing, will house rides inspired by the movies How To Train Your Dragon and Kung Fu Panda.
Auditions have been taking place worldwide for singers and dancers. In August the search will come to Dubai for hip-hop and acrobatic performers to take part in a stage production of Step Up, which will have daily shows in the park's 1,000-seat theatre.
Elaine Hinds, the park’s director of entertainment, said she had “the best job in the park”.
“From a live entertainment standpoint there’s so much -variety – something for a toddler to a grandparent,” she said.
“Once you enter, the studio is alive and the characters are all around you. In the park you get to experience everything, so even when the rides have restrictions, there’s something for everyone.”
Daniel Cuffe also has a job to be envied. As director of park operations, he oversees the rides and attractions as well as the park’s day-to-day operation and upkeep.
One of his personal favourites is Dragon Gliders in the How To Train Your Dragon Zone.
With onboard audio, lighting and rotating carriages, riders will dive into ice caves and do battle with dragons.
“It’s a ride that will knock everyone’s socks off,” said Mr Cuffe.
Guido Zucchi, general manager of Motiongate, said he was pleased with the progress.
“We need to make sure everything runs and that it runs smoothly,” he said.
“It’s a very complicated handover schedule. It’s all a kind of a chess play to ensure that everything happens at the right moment.”
Training will be the main focus over the next two months.
About 1,200 members of staff will work across the more than 37 hectare park in everything from rides to ticketing and food and beverage.
“By the time we get guests in, they’ll know their jobs backwards and forwards,” said Mr Cuffe.
mswan@thenational.ae
