Dubai’s IMG theme park delays opening date

The opening of Dubai-based theme park IMG World of Adventure has been delayed to August 31 from its scheduled launch date of August 15.

IMG – set to be the world’s largest indoor theme park when it opens – is getting “the final details” in place, the operators said in a statement.

“IMG Worlds of Adventure is currently fine-tuning the final details and is committed to offering its guests the best experience possible when the park welcomes everyone later in August,” the statement said.

Guests who have already purchased tickets prior to the new opening date will be issued new tickets for a date of their choice.

They will also receive a complimentary fast track pass to get priority access on rides and attractions. Tickets are priced at Dhs300 for adults and Dhs250 for children.

“We are excited about launching the world’s largest indoor theme park which will be a major tourism attraction for Dubai, the surrounding regions and the rest of the world,” said Lennard Otto, IMG Worlds of Adventure CEO.

“We have developed many spectacular one-of-a-kind rides and attractions and we are now completing the final touches,” he added.

The 1.5 million square foot project – the size of 28 football pitches – includes four zones themed around Marvel, Cartoon Network, Lost Valley Dinosaur Adventure and IMG Boulevard.

The park will run from 10am to 10pm on weekdays and 10am to midnight on weekends.

“We are looking at bringing in roughly 4.5 million people in our first year of operation,” Otto told Gulf Business earlier this year. “We expect 50 per cent to be tourists and 50 per cent to be residents.

“We are the first in this new entertainment space so we are creating the first real mega-entertainment offering in Dubai. That will drive tourism,” he added.

Otto also confirmed that the company plans to expand into other regions.

“We are looking at the MENA region very actively, as there are so many rapidly growing cities and countries there with the middle class growing even faster. South East Asia is also another interesting market we are looking at. In due course, we will be rolling out some exciting things.”

Read more: IMG Worlds of Adventure’s CEO on recreating Dubai as a theme park hub

Dubai theme park IMG Worlds of Adventure reveals ride line-up, expansion plans