Good times return to Al Ain fun park

Management expecting 30 per cent increase in business following a multimillion-dirham revamp of the 25-year-old attraction.

Visitors enjoy the new Twister Mountain ride at Hili Fun City in Al Ain.

AL AIN // The number of visitors to Al Ain's Hili Fun City - long a popular summer hangout despite its aging attractions - is expected to increase by 30 per cent this summer after a multimillion-dirham revamp by the Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC).

"We're expecting very good numbers this year. Between 25 and 30 per cent more than last year," said Ahmad Chaouk, the deputy general manager of the amusement park in the oasis town. "We have new rides and a better landscape, so of course it will be better." Once known for its dilapidated fairgrounds, the park was closed for three months at the end of last August for the first phase of a two-part refurbishment.

Abu Dhabi National Hotels, which operates the theme park, reopened in late November with nine new attractions, 18 resurrected rides, a repainted west side and major landscaping work, Mr Chaouk said. The attractions were also brought closer together. In April, the number of visitors jumped to 23,439 from 14,891 in the same month last year - an increase of nearly 60 per cent. Last month saw a 15 per cent rise in visitors to 11,403 entrants, compared to May 2009 figures.

The renovations have dramatically improved the park, where just a few years ago many rides were permanently out of order, said Ali al Darmaki, 22. "I came here when I was a very young boy," the Emirati student said. "It's much better now. All games are working. Before, we find many not working, and now we see more people coming." Stilt walkers blowing up balloons for children were also a new addition.

"It's much more lively," said Happy Abatayo, a face painter. "It's properly maintained and there are people now going to the amphitheatre to see the singer." The park, which is owned by Al Ain Municipality, had not undergone a major refurbishment since it opened in 1985. In its heyday, it was the first of its kind in the Gulf, drawing visitors from neighbouring emirates as well as Oman, according to the TDIC.

Phase one saw the repainting of the park's west side and the addition of new attractions and landscaping. The second part of the project will connect the west side with a newly built amusement park expected to match the standards of the world's top theme parks. "Now we're waiting for the next phase," Mr Chaouk said. "There's a plan from the tourism office in Abu Dhabi now to make more renovations. They were talking big plans. It will be bigger and we're waiting for that to be the official opening."

Mr Chaouk could not reveal the projected costs of any of the redevelopment work being undertaken by the TDIC, which declined to comment. "There's a big difference now," he said. "Most of the old rides were aging and not working properly, but we've made a full refurbishment." The water-efficient landscaping work included planting more than 25,000 plants and 200 palm trees. Recycling receptacles were also introduced.

David Arnold, a theme park fanatic from Dubai, visited Hili Fun City in 2006 and found many attractions in disrepair, as well as several signs indicating rides were closed permanently for safety reasons. The British sound recordist, who has paid admission to amusement parks in more than 30 countries, posted photos of Hili Fun City on Themeparkreview.com showing fallen lampposts, rubbish covering the park's railway and a billboard map that was completely blank. One photo showed a pile of broken mannequins and demolished stands.

"It was probably the second-worst park I'd ever been to," Mr Arnold said, adding that the worst was Fantazy Land in Alexandria, Egypt. "It could be quite nice once it's all fixed up." The park is worthy of a second visit after the upgrades, Mr Arnold said. The revamped Hili Fun City drew more than twice the visitors in February than during the same month last year. According to John Mathew, who handles finances in the accounts department, more than 28,000 guests entered the gates in February. Only 13,500 people visited during that time in 2009.

New rides and attractions at Hili Fun City included the Jebel Hafeet Twister roller coaster, Sinbad's Farm kiddie ride, the Circus Swing, Crazy Marina and the 3D Action Cinema, which replaced the old Dynamic Motion Theatre. The popular Antique Cars ride was replaced with electric-powered vehicles to be more green-friendly. "We also have a very nice lake that we brought some new pedal boats to," Mr Chaouk said.

Entry fees to the park also went up, although rides are now free to enjoy without guests needing to purchase tokens. It costs Dh30 on Mondays and Tuesdays and Dh35 on Wednesdays, Thursdays and the weekend. [e-mail]