His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, graced the official inauguration of Dubai Parks and Resorts (DPR), arguably the region's largest multi-themed leisure and entertainment destination, on Sunday night. It was like a scene straight from Hollywood - a fantasy combined with the magic of Bollywood and the eclectic imagination of brick-based toys - set in a rustic French village which rose from the desert.
Over 1,500 dignitaries, celebrities and guests graced the occasion where everyone felt young at heart and the mood was simply spectacular, especially for the 200 children from Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation and Make A Wish Foundation. "It was a night full of magic," 11-year old Michael Abourous told Khaleej Times. "It was simply amazing. I was born in Dubai and it's a dream come true for me to see something spectacular." "There's no need for me to go to Disneyland - magic is here in Dubai," added the pre-teen South African expat who is one of the kids from Make A Wish Foundation. Twelve-year old Egyptian kid, Abdullah, described DPR as an "amazing dreamland and an attraction for a healthy and active lifestyle." The main event of the night was a multi-media presentation, showcasing the three theme parks at the DPR, namely: Motiongate Dubai (which opened on December 16), a Hollywood-inspired theme park: Bollywood Parks (opened November 16), a theme park based on some of Bollywood's biggest blockbusters; and Legoland Dubai (opened on October 31), inspired by the educational brick toys. The ceremony, held at the French Village of Riverland Dubai - a retail and dining destination located at the heart of DPR - was opened by Academy Award winning composer Alan Menken, who performed with his daughter, Anna Rose. The father and daughter sung Menken's originally composed theme song of DPR, 'All the Wonders of the Universe,' whilst stars were dancing overhead, forming the logos of the theme parks and the UAE colours. Then a variety show followed where Luna and Nova, the red and blue mascots of DPR, appeared all the way from a magic land called Amasium. The duo were looking for the Amasium crystal, which was deemed critical for "the creativity and imagination of DPR." The mascots were assisted traveled through the different theme parks at the DPR, where they met Shah Rukh, Krrish, Chulbyl Pandeya and the cast of Jaan-e-Jigaar at Bollywood Parks. Failing to find the crystal, they then went to Legoland and asked help from the crew and Ninjas to search across Dubai where skyscrapers were made of millions bricks. Then again they failed at their quest and went to Motiongate where even the proton packs of the Ghostbusters, the Kung Fu skills of Po, perseverance of the Smurfs and the creativity of the Madagascar squad were not able to help. Despite visiting the Shrek Village and flying with Toothless, the friendly dragon from the movie "How to Train your Dragon, Luna and Nova were still not able to find the crystal. Then and amazing thing happened. The badges that the guests were wearing lit up. Luna and Nova said those were the fragments of the Amasium crytals they were looking for. The journey came to its conclusion; magic and imagination at DPR prevailed, the mascots said. As a finale, a spectacular pyrotechnic display lit up the sky above the 30.6 million square feet entertainment destination and the performers sung 'All the Wonders of the Universe." For a limited period, enjoy the three parks for the price of one at Dh295. visit: dubaiparksandresorts.com/celebrateamazing - angel@khaleejtimes.com
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