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Check Out VR Experience “Mission 828” at At the Top, Burj Khalifa
At the Top, Burj Khalifa, the region’s most-visited attraction by Emaar Properties, has unveiled a new virtual reality (VR) experience. The experience simulates the real-feel of scaling all Burj Khalifa’s 160 habitable floors as well as take a hard-knuckle climb to the top of the spire – the highest point of the global icon.
Mission 828, the new VR attraction, gives visitors the unprecedented opportunity to have the virtual experience of scaling to the pinnacle of the tower before taking a parachute-jump right down to The Dubai Fountain. It has been carefully simulated to take users on a nerve-wracking four-minute journey that will give them a feel of what it is like to ascend and descend the tower in the most adventurous fashion.
Highlighting the innovations that are introduced regularly by Emaar, Mission 828 can be experienced through six VR pods at Level 125 and another at Level 124. A ‘mission commander’ reaches out to the users as they first take the elevator ride on VR mode to the 160th level of Burj Khalifa. They can feel the gravity-defying ride up, and proceed to collect suction gloves to ascent the spire, all of 200 metres high, pinnacling at 828 metres. The next step in the adventure is grabbing the parachute for the free-fall VR ride into the dancing fountains.
The VR experience uses ‘room scale’ tracking technology that enables users to move in three-dimensional space and interact with the environment with motion-tracked handheld controllers. The pods even have a wind-effect, whereby the VR ride is as close to real as possible.
Mission 828 has been developed by an expert team that has worked for the Philharmonic Orchestra, UNICEF, British Fashion Council and Rotary International as well as supported film and TV productions such as Harry Potter 6 and 7. Apart from the regular ticket charge, Mission 828 can be experienced with an additional ticket of AED 35 per person.
Regular ticket prices are currently at an average of AED 125 for At the Top, Burj Khalifa, and AED 500 for At the Top, Burj Khalifa SKY. At 828 metres (2,716.5 ft), the 200-plus-storey Burj Khalifa has 160 habitable levels, the most of any building in the world.
Entertainment
Dubai Parks and Resorts Turns Into a ‘World of Wintertainment’
Dubai Parks and Resorts, the Middle East’s largest theme park destination, is set to thrill guests with a wide range of holiday experiences. These include spectacular Festive-themed laser show, festive events and workshops, live shows and parades, along with the park’s exciting rides, rollercoasters and attractions from Friday, 8th December 2023 to Thursday, 7th January 2024.
At RIVERLAND Dubai, the night sky will come alive with a dazzling new Laser Show, Wednesday to Sunday at 7:30 PM, 8:30 PM, and 9:30 PM, creating a mesmerising spectacle with colourful lights and laser beams choreographed to festive themed music for all to enjoy. Guests can explore Santa’s Grotto and meet Santa himself at Viva Ristorante Restaurant and immerse in the festive spirit at the Peninsula Stage with Christmas carols and sing-along performances every Friday through Sunday. Guests can’t miss Sandy’s Candy World Spectacular, a parade that runs every Wednesday to Sunday at 9:00 PM, promising a sweet and vibrant procession to captivate audiences of all ages. To extend the holiday celebrations even further, friends and families of all ages are welcome to enjoy the heavenly tunes of 35 children of Dubai Youth Choir singing festive carols on 16th December.
MOTIONGATE Dubai invites guests to step into its Hollywood Holidays, promising an unforgettable festive season filled with parades, character meet and greets, mesmerising snowfall, and a magnificent 40-foot Christmas tree. The park transforms into a spectacle of lights and enchanting decorations, setting the perfect festive ambience. Adding to the holiday cheer is the debut of a new live stage show, ‘Home for Christmas’ at the Hollywood Theatre. Guests are invited to watch this heartwarming experience, adding an extra layer of joy to the holiday celebrations.
Meet Rudolph and his reindeer friends as they dance to popular holiday tunes in the ‘Time to Sleigh!’ street show or catch the elves and toy soldiers dancing to popular seasonal hip hop tunes in the ‘Toy Factory Fellas’. For those craving delicious holiday treats, MOTIONGATE Dubai’s festive night market will offer various delights, including crepes, gingerbread cookies, churros, hot chocolate, and much more. To enhance the holiday experience, guests can explore the 15 themed retail shops, each offering an exclusive selection of souvenirs inspired by fan-favourite films such as Kung Fu Panda, Ghostbusters, Hunger Games, Shrek, and more.
Meanwhile, at LEGOLAND Dubai Resort, families are invited to join the Festive Bricktacular from Thursday, 14th December 2023 to Sunday, 7th January 2024. Guests can participate in the LEGOLAND Countdown to Christmas, an advent calendar that will give them the chance to open a door and win a LEGO box set every day until 24th December 2023. In addition, guests can also explore Santa’s Grotto and meet LEGO Santa himself (an Exclusive Paid experience for just an additional AED 125 when visiting LEGOLAND Dubai this December) who has special presents awaiting a limited edition Festive Bricktacular bag, a photo with LEGO Santa, exclusive Santa’s Grotto LEGO Brick, LEGO box set and a letter from LEGO Santa. Even more daily prizes await guests with the introduction of a new Countdown to New Year advent calendar from 25th December to 31st December.
The fun doesn’t have to end there, families are invited to join Lapita, Dubai Parks and Resorts’ third edition of the Lu’WOW Weekender. The UAE’s first and only Polynesian resort will be hosting exclusive festive-themed staycation packages from 24th to 26th December 2023, starting from AED 1,399++ for a King Room and AED 1,799++ for an Upgraded Family Suite. Two children under the age of six are welcome to stay and dine with the hotel’s compliments. Here, families will start Christmas day with a nutritious breakfast, followed by a festive brunch from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, with the resort coming alive with live music and street performances.
Outdoor kids’ activities and attractions will ensure the little ones are entertained, with a festive-themed scavenger hunt featuring prizes as well as a special meet & greet with Santa, spreading joys and gifts to his young fans. On Tuesday, 26th December, guests can start their day with morning yoga sessions, while those seeking to stay active can enjoy Aqua Gym sessions at the family pool and children are invited to participate in Mini Olympic competitions, for some perfect family bonding.
Cool Stuff
MOTIONGATE Dubai Launches Spooktacular Fright Nights: Volume VI
As Halloween descends upon MOTIONGATE Dubai, the mysterious Taleweaver, a masterful narrator tucked away in a decaying library within the Nightmare Dimension is turning words into frightening reality, bringing haunting legends and nightmares to life. Prepare for spine-tingling adventures as the Middle East’s largest Hollywood-inspired theme park returns for the sixth season of the biggest Halloween Fright Nights yet.
From 30th September to 31st October 2023, guests can immerse themselves in an array of Halloween activities at MOTIONGATE Dubai with this year’s theme – ‘Curse of the Taleweaver’. This year, memorable stories such as Dracula, The Boogeyman and Midas will come alive at the park. Transforming into the United Arab Emirates’ spookiest family destination, MOTIONGATE Dubai’s Fright Nights: Volume VI will run Wednesdays to Sundays from 4 p.m. onwards, promising an unforgettable Halloween experience.
Experience hair-raising adventures with MOTIONGATE Dubai’s lineup of spooky fun, including 13 immersive horror experiences, scare zones, monster meet and greets, thrilling live stage shows, and a haunting parade for an unforgettable time.
FIVE GHOULISH IMMERSIVE HORROR EXPERIENCES
Embark on five captivating spooky experiences led by the mysterious Taleweaver, who is bringing everyone’s childhood nightmares to life. Inspired by hair-raising folk legends and myths, the Taleweaver guarantees an unforgettable and bone-chilling experience.
Located in Studio Central, guests can experience the Golden Curse as they explore the chambers of King Aurelius, whose touch turns everything to gold. Step into these gilded corridors for a bone-chilling immersive experience but beware as golden soldiers lurk in the shadows of King Aurelius’ labyrinth. Oh, and be wary of what you touch!
Over at The Twilight Mirror, silence reigns in the ominous manor. Listen closely as the walls whisper tales of dread. The audio experience promises screeches and goosebumps.
For a darker encounter, brave souls can venture into the medieval dungeons of The Forsaken Piper in Underworld, Columbia Pictures zone. Summoning a horde of rats, the Pied Piper has transformed the prison into a realm of ruin, disease, and despair, a haunting testament to the piper’s nightmarish lair awaiting unsuspecting guests. No kids allowed.
An ancient passage tucked within the Columbia Pictures zone; Wraith’s Lament is guarded by eerie phantoms with sensitive hearing. A smart scholar made magical bells to disrupt the phantoms and make a path forward. In this interactive experience, guests can ring the bells to find their way, but they should be careful of the lurking phantoms.
Suitable for Halloween buffs of all ages, the Grim Tales: Dracula in Hotel Transylvania offers a spine-tingling experience where terror takes centre stage. Within the Taleweaver’s library, filled with scary books, horror comes to life as guests are immersed in the tales of Dracula.
THREE CREEPY SCARE ZONES
Prepare for screams and spine-chilling adventures as unsuspecting guests will encounter haunting characters as they venture into the spooky scare zones. Guests will be taken back to the 1950s as they walk through Nightshade Street, where innocent children playing with unknown forces cast their street into an eternal abyss. Now, until eternity, the creepy giggles of once-innocent children, echo as they revel in the screams of terrified guests.
For a more thrilling experience, guests can enter the haunted tent in Zombieland, Columbia Pictures, where the Freakshow of the century unfolds. As the tent veils rise, manic laughter fills the eerie room, setting the stage for spine-tingling entertainment. Both young and old can enter the Haunted Graveyard at the Hollywood Theatre. Ruled by the crypt keeper, each step on the decayed soil awakens restless spirits, promising laughter and (mostly) screams.
PARADE, SHOWS & MONSTER MEET AND GREETS
With a mix of spine-tingling excitement, MOTIONGATE Dubai’s captivating parades and shows are sure to keep guests of all ages engaged and entertained. Get ready for a scary live stage show as The Hollywood Theatre hosts The Taleweaver’s Nightmare Emporium, offering a chilling narration as myths and legends come to life before guests’ eyes.
Over at Studio Central, guests can witness the Midnight Tales street parade unfold, led by the mysterious Taleweaver, who summons terrifying creatures and manipulates nightmares, creating a mesmerising spectacle. The boundary between reality and imagination fades further with The Tale Weaver’s Short Stories, where guests, young and old, can enjoy family-friendly short stories from the mastermind himself that promise to captivate and thrill.
“Trick or treat?” Get ready for delightful meet-and-greets with the mischievous Candy Goblin, a playful trickster known for two things: his love of games, especially hide and seek, and his sweet tooth. Guests who have the skill to catch him will receive a tasty reward of delicious candies. Halloween lovers can also meet The Boogeyman in Studio Central, who lurks at the corner with mysterious and clever tricks that challenge even the bravest’s wits and courage.
Moreover, the park’s beloved characters will don Halloween-themed attire and eagerly greet their fans. For the younger ones, the charming Smurfs Village is back with its annual Trick-or-Treat activities. Here, children can fully immerse themselves in the Halloween spirit as their favourite Smurf-y friends distribute candy, creating delightful memories that will last a lifetime.
Are you ready to face your fears? MOTIONGATE Dubai’s biggest Fright Nights Volume VI is here and it promises to be an absolute scream.
Explore
Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah in Dubai Reveals its Premium Suites and Penthouses
Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, the first Marriott Hotels resort in the UAE, has unveiled its spectacular collection of premium Suites and Penthouses. Each is a secluded haven with sweeping views of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai skyline.
In the Presidential Suite, a newly imagined experience awaits guests as they elevate beyond the everyday. Accommodating up to six guests, the 400-sq-m sanctuary features a private bar and entertaining area, spacious living and dining areas and dynamic bathroom experiences with a sauna. Furthermore, guests can enjoy a fully equipped kitchen and panoramic views over Dubai Marina and Ain Dubai.
Offering elevated amenities, the Royal Penthouse boasts sweeping city and sea views and an expansive private outdoor terrace with a private jacuzzi. Sleeping up to six, this lavishly appointed penthouse offers distinguished amenities complete with thoughtful design elements to ensure guest enjoyment is a priority. In-suite comforts include a fully equipped bar and entertainment area, a kitchen with a Lavazza coffee machine and a spacious master suite with a separate lounge. The enhanced bathroom experience with walk-in showers and large baths complemented by Maison D’asa amenities and a private sauna, is not to be missed!
Meanwhile, the allure of the Palm Penthouse lies in its expansive terrace offering the ideal entertaining area with an outdoor bar, sun deck, premium cabanas, jacuzzi and alfresco dining spaces. Sleeping up to six guests, in-suite comforts include Maison D’asa amenities, walk-in showers and large baths. A fully equipped bar and entertainment area adorns the living room along with a kitchen with a Lavazza coffee machine and a stunning master suite with a separate lounge.
Other Suites unveiled at Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Dubai include the Palm Suite, Executive Suite and Palm Family Suite. Many of the Suites and Rooms within in the resort are interconnecting or interleading, making them the ideal choice for larger families or group holidays.
“We are thrilled to invite guests to experience our new collection of premium Suites and Penthouses at Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, with its unparalleled combination of blissful surroundings, thoughtful comfort and exceptional amenities,” said Gerrit Schmitt, General Manager at Marriott Resort Palm Jumeriah.
“Whether in our Palm Suites, our sophisticated Presidential Suite, exceptional Executive Suites, phenomenal Palm Penthouse or the legendary Royal Penthouse, our guests will experience the pinnacle of wonderful hospitality, destined to make every stay with us, a truly unforgettable one,” he added.
As an exclusive benefit, all Suite and Penthouse stays include access to the M Club Lounge. Open 24/7 the lounge serves complimentary refreshments, a breakfast buffet, an afternoon tea spread, a grab ’n’ go menu and canapes in the evening. Which can all be enjoyed alongside the signature Cocktail Hour overlooking the shimmering Dubai Marina.
Guests are encouraged to book the limited-time Suite Dreams offer, which includes a stay in the one-of-a-kind Penthouses or sophisticated Suites, with daily buffet breakfast, exclusive perks with discounts, AED 400 spa credit, exclusive M Club lounge access & more. Simply apply the promotional code HDK when booking online.
Suite Dreams offer:
Stay in the finest Penthouses or modern, sophisticated suites at Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah this summer! The resorts are the ideal getaway allowing guests to escape the every day and explore the exceptional. In-suite amenities include large terraces and balconies, iconic sea views, modern dining and entertainment areas and exclusive 24/7 access to M Club Lounge.
- WHAT: Penthouses or elevated suites using the Suite Dreams Offer
- WHERE: Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah
- WHEN: Until September 30, 2024
- PRICE:
- Palm Suite and Executive Suites are starting from AED 1,500 ++
- Presidential Suite rate is starting from AED 9,200 ++
- Palm Penthouse starting from AED 10,100 ++
- Royal Penthouse starting from AED 12,100 ++
- Rate includes:
- Daily buffet breakfast
- 25% discount off F&B
- AED 400 spa credit per person for a maximum of two adults
- Exclusive 24/7 access to M Club Lounge with breakfast, light bites during the day, a Grab & Go menu, & evening canapes & cocktails
- Kids under 12 stay for free with unlimited access to the Kids club free of charge from 9.00 to 20.00
- PROMOTION CODE: Apply the promotional code HDK when booking online
- *Terms and conditions apply. Packages are available until September 30, 2024. Blackout dates apply and room prices may vary.