Legoland park coming to Dubai

Merlin Entertainments Group and Tatweer, a member of Dubai Holdings, today announced a strategic partnership to create Legoland Dubailand, the first Legoland park to be built outside of North America and Europe. The new park will occupy 3 million square feet inside Dubailand, a large leisure and entertainment development. Like the existing Legoland parks in Denmark, Germany, Windsor and California, Legoland Dubailand will feature more than 40 interactive rides, shows and attractions geared towards families with children ages 2-12. The park is scheduled to open at the end of 2011.

"Merlin Entertainments Group is the second largest attraction operator in the world, and Legoland Parks are well-known throughout the world as the ultimate destination for families with young children," said Nick Varney, CEO of Merlin Entertainments. "Choosing this location for the new Legoland Park reflects the fact that Dubai is becoming a major holiday destination, not only for the region, but also for visitors worldwide. Teaming with Tatweer is the perfect way to offer families access to the Legoland experience and potentially to other attractions within the Merlin Group."

Saeed Al Muntafiq, Executive Chairman of Tatweer, commented: "We are extremely proud of our alliance with Merlin Entertainments Group and the Legoland brand. The partnership demonstrates our dedication to deliver on the tourism objectives of Dubai Strategic Plan 2015, announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. As the owner and developer of the 3 billion square-foot Dubailand, which hosts some of the world's most enchanting entertainment concepts, Tatweer has become a leader in bringing landmark projects to Dubai, including Bawadi, Tiger Woods Dubai and many others. The global reputation of Legoland Parks for interactive rides, shows, attractions and its appeal to families with young children adds further value to Dubailand with an enhanced experience to visitors and tourists."

Commenting, LEGO owner Kjeld Kristiansen said, "Legoland is the ultimate experience of LEGO values and potential. We are delighted that a fifth Park will be opening soon and have no doubt that Legoland Dubailand will be extremely successful."

Nick Varney concluded: "This new Legoland Park highlights Merlin's growing leadership in the attractions sector. This is an exciting time for the Group and we have a very aggressive growth strategy, including opening four to five of our midway indoor attractions each year, as well as continuing to develop our resort theme parks."

Other projects owned by Tatweer at the Dubailand destination include, The Tiger Woods Dubai, Universal Studios Dubailand, Global Village Dubailand, DreamWorks Dubailand Animation Park, Hit Entertainment "Little Big Club Dubailand", Six Flags Dubailand, Marvel Dubailand and FREEJ Dubailand.