Dubai and Abu Dhabi Theme Parks Guide: Which Park Should You Choose?

The UAE has become one of the world’s great theme park destinations. In a country best known for skyscrapers and desert, you can ride one of the fastest roller coasters on the planet, swim with sharks in a water park, meet superheroes indoors in the middle of summer and watch children drive their own cars at a LEGO driving school. The choice is enormous, which is wonderful, but also confusing. Tickets are not cheap, the parks are spread across two emirates, and each one suits different ages and interests.

This Dubai theme parks guide compares every major theme park and water park in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with the rides they are known for, the best ages, how long to spend, where they are, what they cost and how to get the most from your day. At the end, we suggest the best park for each type of traveller and share tips for beating the heat and the queues.

The parks at a glance

Theme parks in Dubai

IMG Worlds of Adventure

IMG Worlds of Adventure is one of the largest indoor theme parks in the world, housed in a vast air-conditioned building on the way out of the city towards the desert. Inside, there are four main zones: a Marvel zone with superhero-themed rides and coasters, a Cartoon Network zone with gentler rides and characters for younger children, a Lost Valley zone filled with life-size animatronic dinosaurs and two roller coasters, and an IMG Boulevard with shops and restaurants.

Why choose it: it is completely indoors, so it is perfect in summer or on any day when you want to escape the heat. It suits a wide range of ages, with genuine thrill rides for teenagers and adults and plenty for younger children.

How long to spend: a full day.

Tips: weekdays are much quieter. Height restrictions apply on the bigger rides, so check before you go if you have younger children.

Book: IMG Worlds of Adventure.

LEGOLAND Dubai

Part of the Dubai Parks and Resorts complex, LEGOLAND Dubai is built for families with children aged roughly 2 to 12. There are more than 40 rides, shows and building experiences across themed lands. Highlights include the driving school, where children drive electric cars on a mini road system and receive a licence; Miniland, where landmarks of Dubai and the region are recreated in millions of LEGO bricks; and gentle coasters suited to young riders. LEGOLAND Water Park next door has slides and pools designed for small children, including a pool where kids can build their own LEGO rafts.

Why choose it: almost every ride is designed for younger children, so they can do nearly everything without being told they are too small.

How long to spend: a full day; add a second day for the water park.

Tips: it is about 45 minutes from central Dubai, so add a return transfer. In summer, arrive at opening time and leave by mid-afternoon, or visit later in the day when it is cooler. Teenagers may find it too young.

Book: LEGOLAND Dubai, with the option to add LEGOLAND Water Park.

Motiongate Dubai

Also at Dubai Parks and Resorts, Motiongate is themed around Hollywood movies and studios, with rides, shows and zones based on popular films and animations. There are roller coasters, family rides and live stage shows throughout the day.

Why choose it: a good mix for families with older children and teenagers who want more than LEGOLAND but less intensity than Ferrari World.

How long to spend: a full day.

Tips: combine with LEGOLAND on a two-day visit if you have children of different ages.

Book: Motiongate Dubai.

Ski Dubai Snow Park

Not a theme park in the usual sense, but one of the most fun family attractions in Dubai. Inside Mall of the Emirates, Ski Dubai has real snow, a snow park with sledding and tubing runs, a chairlift, and, with a premium ticket, the chance to meet the resident penguins. Warm clothing is provided.

Why choose it: it is a unique experience, especially for children who have never seen snow, and a perfect escape from summer heat.

How long to spend: about three hours.

Book: Ski Dubai Snow Park.

Water parks in Dubai

Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark

Aquaventure on Palm Jumeirah is one of the largest water parks in the world, with record-breaking slides, a long lazy river with rapids and waves, a private beach and huge play areas for younger children. Some slides drop almost vertically, while others send you through tunnels in shark-filled lagoons. Entry usually includes the Lost Chambers Aquarium.

Why choose it: the biggest variety of slides in Dubai, from gentle to terrifying, plus a beach and the aquarium.

How long to spend: a full day.

Tips: arrive at opening time to ride the most popular slides before queues build. Bring swim shirts for sun protection.

Book: Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark.

Wild Wadi Waterpark

Wild Wadi, beside the Jumeirah Beach Hotel with views of Burj Al Arab, is a classic Dubai water park themed around the adventures of a legendary Arabian character. It is smaller than Aquaventure but has a relaxed, family-friendly feel and some excellent slides.

Why choose it: a great family water park with views of Burj Al Arab, often a little less crowded than Aquaventure.

How long to spend: half a day to a full day.

Book: Wild Wadi Waterpark.

Theme parks in Abu Dhabi: Yas Island

Yas Island, on the side of Abu Dhabi closest to Dubai, is home to an extraordinary cluster of parks within a few minutes of each other. It is about an hour and a half from central Dubai, so many visitors make it a day trip or stay a night.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

Under an enormous red roof shaped like a Ferrari car’s body, Ferrari World is an indoor theme park celebrating speed and Italian motor racing. Its star attraction is Formula Rossa, one of the fastest roller coasters in the world, which launches riders to around 240 kilometres per hour in a few seconds. There are also roller coasters that race each other, a tower that shoots riders up through the roof, driving simulators and gentler rides and shows for families.

Why choose it: thrill seekers and car enthusiasts will love it, and it is fully indoors.

How long to spend: a full day.

Tips: ride Formula Rossa early, as queues grow during the day. Protective goggles are provided on the fastest coaster.

Book: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, with return transfers from Dubai available.

Yas Waterworld

A huge water park with dozens of slides, rides and attractions, themed around an Emirati story of a girl searching for a lost pearl. There are thrill slides, family rafting rides, a wave pool and a lazy river.

Why choose it: excellent variety and one of the best water parks in the region.

How long to spend: a full day.

Book: Yas Waterworld.

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

A marine-life theme park built around immersive realms representing different ocean environments, from the polar regions to tropical seas. It has one of the largest aquariums in the world, rides, animal encounters and shows. It also has a strong focus on marine research and conservation.

Why choose it: ideal for families who love animals and for a calmer day than the big thrill parks.

How long to spend: a full day.

Book: SeaWorld Abu Dhabi.

Warner Bros. World and the 2 Parks Pass

Warner Bros. World is an indoor theme park themed on classic cartoon characters and superheroes. You can visit it as one of your choices on the Yas Island 2 Parks Pass, which covers any two of Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World and SeaWorld over two days.

Which park is best for you?

When to visit

Season

From October to April, outdoor parks such as Aquaventure, Yas Waterworld, Wild Wadi and LEGOLAND are at their best. From May to September, outdoor parks are still open, but the heat makes the middle of the day tiring. In summer, choose indoor parks such as IMG Worlds, Ferrari World and SeaWorld, or visit water parks early in the morning.

Day of the week

Weekdays are quieter than weekends. School holidays in the UAE and major international holidays bring bigger crowds, so book tickets in advance.

How to get there

Add a return transfer to most theme park tickets on our website, or book a private car with driver for the day. For Yas Island, you can also combine a park with our Abu Dhabi City Tour by adding a Ferrari World ticket. Read our Abu Dhabi day trip guide for planning tips.

Tips to get the most out of your day

1. Arrive at opening time. The first hour is the quietest for popular rides.
2. Head to the back of the park first. Most people start near the entrance.
3. Check height restrictions before you go so children are not disappointed.
4. Bring swim shirts and sunscreen for water parks; the sun is strong even in winter.
5. Plan meals for off-peak times, before 12 PM or after 2 PM.
6. Use lockers for valuables at water parks.
7. Stay hydrated and take breaks in the shade or indoors.
8. Download the park app where available for wait times and maps.

Saving money on theme park tickets

• Book online in advance rather than at the gate.
• Choose a multi-park pass if you plan to visit more than one Yas Island park.
• Check child prices, as children under a certain height or age may enter free or at a reduced price.
• Visit on weekdays, when some parks offer lower prices.
• Bundle with transfers to avoid expensive taxis to parks outside the city.

Combining theme parks with other activities

Most theme parks take a full day, so plan lighter activities around them. A good pattern is a theme park on one day, followed by a relaxed morning and an evening desert safari the next. For families, our guide to things to do in Dubai with family and our 4-day Dubai itinerary show how to fit parks into a balanced trip.

Sample plans for theme park days

A two-day Yas Island plan

If you have the time, Yas Island is best enjoyed over two days with one night in a hotel on the island. This avoids two long return drives and lets you start each morning at opening time.

Day 1: leave Dubai early with a return transfer and arrive at Ferrari World for opening. Ride Formula Rossa and the other big coasters first, while queues are short. After lunch, try the driving simulators and the gentler family rides. In the evening, walk along Yas Marina, where you can see the Formula 1 circuit, then check in to your hotel.

Day 2: spend the day at Yas Waterworld in summer, or SeaWorld Abu Dhabi if you prefer animals and a calmer pace. Leave mid-afternoon to beat the evening traffic back to Dubai. The Yas Island 2 Parks Pass covers both days and usually costs less than two separate tickets.

A two-day Dubai Parks and Resorts plan

Day 1: LEGOLAND Dubai in the morning, when young children have the most energy. Visit Miniland around midday, when many families stop for lunch, and finish with the driving school.

Day 2: Motiongate Dubai for older children and adults, or LEGOLAND Water Park for younger children. If your children span a wide age range, one parent can take the younger ones to LEGOLAND while the other takes older children to Motiongate, and you meet for lunch at Riverland, the dining area between the parks.

One perfect day for each type of traveller

• Thrill seekers: Ferrari World in the morning, then dinner on Yas Island.
• Families with toddlers: LEGOLAND Dubai, finishing before the afternoon heat or tiredness sets in.
• Mixed-age groups: IMG Worlds of Adventure, with something for every age under one roof.
• Water lovers: Atlantis Aquaventure, combined with the Lost Chambers Aquarium.
• A rainy or very hot day: Ski Dubai in the morning and shopping at Mall of the Emirates in the afternoon.

Visiting theme parks with young children

Theme parks with small children are a joy, but they take some planning. Bring a lightweight stroller, as the parks are large and little legs tire quickly. Most parks rent strollers, but numbers are limited at busy times. Pack spare clothes for water play areas, a refillable water bottle and snacks your children like, as queues for food can be long at lunchtime.

Check height restrictions before you go and talk to your children about which rides they can and cannot try. This prevents disappointment at the front of a queue. Many parks offer a rider switch system, so one parent can ride while the other waits with a younger child, and then swap without queuing again. Ask a staff member at the ride entrance.

Plan rest breaks. Indoor shows, air-conditioned restaurants and quieter zones give children a chance to recharge. Leaving a little earlier than planned is often better than staying until everyone is exhausted.

Good to know: baby care rooms with changing facilities are available at all the major parks, and most parks have first aid stations staffed throughout the day.

Accessibility

The major parks in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are generally well equipped for guests with disabilities. Pathways are wide and step-free, accessible toilets are available, and wheelchairs can usually be rented at the entrance. Many parks offer an access pass that reduces waiting time in queues for guests who cannot wait in standard lines. Requirements differ by park, so contact the park or ask us before your visit and we will help you arrange what you need. Our private transfers can be booked with larger vehicles on request.

Food and drink at the parks

Every park has a range of restaurants, cafes and kiosks, from fast food to sit-down meals. Prices are higher than in the city, as you would expect. Outside food is generally not allowed at most parks, although exceptions are often made for baby food and special dietary needs. Bottled water is widely available, and some parks have refill stations.

To avoid long queues, eat an early lunch around 11:30 AM or a late lunch after 2 PM. Many restaurants close earlier than the rides, so check closing times if you plan to eat dinner in the park.

Park rules and safety

All the parks follow strict safety standards. A few rules to know before you go:

• Height and health restrictions apply on many rides. Pregnant guests and those with heart, back or neck conditions should avoid the most intense rides.
• Loose items such as phones, sunglasses and hats must be stored before riding coasters. Lockers are available near major rides.
• Swimwear at water parks should be proper swimwear; clothing with zips, buckles or rivets is not allowed on slides.
• Modest clothing is appropriate outside the water areas, in line with the UAE’s general dress expectations in public places.

Frequently asked questions