Dubai Parks and Resorts, the region’s largest integrated theme park destination, unveiled its latest and much-awaited attraction on October 31, 2016, and set another record for the emirate with its launch. Riverland Dubai, the destination’s retail and dining district, has become the first man-made river within a theme park in the Middle East.
Riverland Dubai connects the main theme parks at Dubai Parks and Resorts, Bollywood Parks, Motiongate, Legoland Dubai and Legoland Water Park. The district will be open to everyone with or without a ticket to the adjoining parks. Guests can enjoy boat rides on the kilometre-long stretch of water, choose from a plethora of dining venues outlining the riverbanks and set out on a shopping spree at around 50 retail outlets.
Riverland Dubai features themed zones inspired by four great historical eras and designed to take guests on a visual tour through the ages. At the heart of Riverland Dubai is The Peninsula with architecture dating back to the 1900s and a dedicated zone for live concerts and festivals. The medieval French village features al fresco Mediterranean-style dining options along with iconic European landscapes and architecture from the 1600s. The Boardwalk, with its palm trees and neon signs, is reminiscent of America’s bustling urban streets from the early 1950s. Travel back to the 1930s and anticipate a royal Asian welcome at India Gate with a mix of flavourful cuisines, traditional architecture and vibrant colours.
Among the many dining venues that have set up shop and a few others that will launch in December are eye-grabbing names like Tom’s Kitchen Deli by celebrity chef Tom Aikens, Nusr-Et Burger, Shake Shack and 800 Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria. Retail outlets include Tarsam Image, Boots, I Love Dubai, Maharaja, Wired Up, Sun Eye Optical and Havaianas. The district also features Feet First, a reflexology and therapeutic massage centre to give your tired toes a break from all the excitement.