October 2018 (and many times more)

MOTIONGATE

Aaaah, we love Motiongate, a compact fun family park. This family amusement park is fun for all ages... The cute Smurfs, the sweet Shrek and his wife Fiona, the Ghostbusters and Dracula: they all create a nice atmosphere and bring back fond memories for some of us. Madagascar and the Capitol Bullit Train are two top roller coasters and the Dragon gliders ride is our favorite. The park offers many Meet & Greet moments, live theater shows and interactive play areas for children. Definitely a 'must-do' if you are (an expat) in Dubai!

We combined our visit often with Legoland Waterpark or Legoland Dubai.

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The world of the Smurfs, Kung Fu Panda, Shrek, Ghostbusters and Dracula from Hotel Transylvania

Via Riverland, we walk to Motiongate. It is quite a long walk (or ride by golf cart). The landmark of Motiongate - half a film reel, which also functions as the entrance to the park - can be seen from far. It brings us directly into the atmosphere of the park, which is based on the fantasy world of the famous comic book heroes from Hollywood movies, among others, the smurfs, Kung Fu Panda and Shrek.

Studio Central

After entering the park, we arrive into the central theme area, Studio Central. We imagine ourselves on the film set of a simulated street in New York City with stately buildings in which shops, offices, cafes and restaurants are located. It looks very attractive. At the fork to the other 4 theme areas of Motiongate, we turn right to "The adventurous world of Columbia Pictures".

Columbia Pictures

The highlight in the first theme area is the Underworld 4D Theater, which tells the story of the 800-year battle between the vampires and the Lycans (based on the American horror film Lycans from 2009); an interactive show where we felt the wind, water and vermin running up our legs. Very creepy and definitely not recommended with young children. Another topper is River Expedition, a real family water ride with waterfalls and rapids. Guaranteed fun and it creates the necessary tension, because you never know how wet you are going to get...

Smurfs Village. Nostalgia!

We continue to the 2nd themed area, the Smurf Village, especially nice for families with young children. These blue dolls with their cute colorful mushroom houses are loved internationally by all generations! Fun rides have been created such as the Smurfs Studios Tour and the Smurf roller coaster. The Smurf Village Express is also recommended for this target group as well as the The Smurfs - Meet & Greet option. Smurf you soon!

The world of DreamWorks

We have now arrived in the third theme area, Dreamworks. This themed area is realized in a large blue dome, which also provides the necessary cooling on hot days. The dome is the house where Shrek, Madagascar, 'How To Train Your Dragon' and Kung Fu Panda come to life. Very nice is Shreks' Merry Fairy Tale Journey, an eight-minute ride that tells the story of Shrek and Fiona through a nostalgic puppet theater. We just love it and we have become even bigger Shrek fans than we already were. Of course we got our picture taken with Shrek and Fiona when the opportunity arose!

Mad Pursuit

A "moulin rouge bohemian-like" atmosphere has been created in Madagascar, with a real fairground and a number of circus tents. We think the roller coaster Madagascar is an absolute winner: it is a roller coaster where you are being catapulted at a enormous high speed. One for the bucket list! We lower the adrenaline in King Julien's Sideshow Café, watching the "move it, move it" dance show.

There is a queue for the Dragon Gliders, but it is absolutely worth to wait. Suspended from a monorail, we soar high above the Viking Village and pass through caves and over a haunted Forbidden Island. What a beautiful ride!

Lionsgate

In the fourth and final themed area, Lionsgate, "the world of the hunger games" comes to life. It is particularly a themed area for older children and adults. For the "high-speed" Capitol Bullet Train, you must be at least 1.30m. The concept of the fictional nation of Panem, the common thread in the hunger games, will also appeal more to this target group.

It's a wrap

We experienced Motiongate as a compact fun family park with something for everyone! It is a beautifully styled park, including a New York street, a colorful smurf village and a moulin rouge-like setting in Madagascar. The attractions are well balanced to accommodate all age groups. Two top roller coasters: Madagascar and the Capitol Bullit Train. The Dragon gliders ride is also very lovely designed (my favorite, it reminds me of 'Droomvlucht' which is in The Efteling (NL)). We all are fan of the smurfs, especially Smurfet. The park offers many Meet & Greet moments, live theater shows and interactive play areas for children. Definitely a must-do if you are an expat in Dubai!