Adirondack Studios Middle East (ADKS ME), the Dubai entity of Adirondack Studios (ADKS), a company that provides creative solutions for designers, artists, producers, and owners in the themed entertainment industry, is celebrating a decade since its official launch. The milestone comes as ADKS continues the global recognition of its 50th Anniversary.
Adirondack Studios’ roots in the region span 30 years, back to when Majid Al Futtaim decided to build the first FEC in Dubai at Deira City Centre, known as the Magic Planet. It was a highly thematic blend of different ride zones, games, and food and beverage outlets with a distinctly international and even interplanetary theme.
ADKS’ colleagues at FORREC and Advanced Animations contacted the studio for help. Collaborating with general contractors, Engineering Contracting Corporation, the group efficiently designed and built the thematic elements to fit. The project’s success led to multiple Magic Planet experiences in the Emirates.
ADKS’s work in the GCC continued to grow, as the company was tasked with providing themed elements and ride operator stations for a Jules Verne-inspired FEC in Makkah, the first of its kind in the Holy City.
Soon after, Al Musalla Towers was built in downtown Dubai as a mixed-use retail and residential complex. The producer had seen ADKS’s flagship feature at Radio City Music Hall in NYC and wanted a similar concept. The creative team adapted the storyline from toy soldiers and Rockettes to dragons and wizards, designing the interior dome mural and children’s play areas to match the theme.
These early collaborations laid the foundation for a stronger connection in the region. A call from Dubai Parks & Resorts to collaborate on its flagship project, Motiongate, would cause a significant shift in Adirondack Studios’ future plans.
Creative frontiers
Dubai Parks & Resorts first hired Adirondack Studios to design Motiongate’s “Shrek” and “How to Train Your Dragon” areas on a very tight timeline.
After a successful design phase, the scope expanded to include fabricating Shrek ride sets and queue, as well as the development of the ‘Swinging Viking” and “Camp Viking” play areas, the Shrek Swamp Celebration, and the Fountain of Dreams portals and murals.
From design to completion, the entire scope was delivered in just 18 months and now delights hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
The development of Motiongate was a defining moment – proof that the United Arab Emirates was more than a stopover; it was a creative frontier full of potential. In response to this project and the region’s growing appetite for immersive, world-class experiences, ADKS established a permanent presence in the UAE on 10 July 2015 – Adirondack Studios Middle East.
Growing consistently but responsibly
Since ADKS ME’s launch, success has centred on aligning growth with client demand, emphasising trust through consistency, creativity, and long-term commitment in the GCC. Ten years ago, the Dubai subsidiary was small, with a site office at Dubai Parks & Resorts and a shared desk in National Industries Park. Its first fabrication space was 800m². Now, ADKS operates two facilities totalling 3,900m² in the Jebel Ali Industrial Area.
Not only has ADKS ME’s shop footprint expanded, but so has its geographical reach. Starting from the UAE, the company’s client base initially spread across the Middle East – including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Egypt – before extending further to France, Italy, China, Japan, and the US, as well as cruise ships worldwide.
Past and present clients include Dubai Parks & Resorts, Doha Quest, Miral, SEVEN, Qiddiya, Abha, Walt Disney Imagineering, Universal Destinations & Experiences, Carnival Cruise Lines, Al Abbar Enterprises, ALEC, and Atlantis The Royal resort. ADKS ME has completed 78 projects in 11 countries since its inception in 2015, achieving steady revenue growth.
“Being located in the UAE within the GCC offers a powerful strategic advantage,” says Nada Radwan, ADKS business development manager.
“By serving as a gateway to Asia, Europe, and the broader Middle East, it provides unparalleled access to both regional and international markets. The region’s competitive environment, coupled with low tax implications, helps clients optimize budgets without compromising on quality.”
The upward trajectory of ADKS ME is also seen in its expanding team. From a handful of staff members in 2015, the Dubai facility now employs over 100 artisans, builders, and project managers with a theatrical and solutions focus, representing 16 countries.
Overall location capabilities encompass creative design, technical design and production documentation, fabrication (including carpentry, fibreglass, metal, CNC, paint, and scenic paint), installation, art direction, and project management. The team is involved throughout the design and build phases, also offering clear guidance to client operations teams on maintaining and operating the work.
ADKS ME values its diverse international workforce, focuses on developing thought leaders, promotes mentorship and teamwork, and prioritises employee wellbeing.
Challenges and lessons
The journey of Adirondack Studios Middle East has been steady, if not always smooth. According to ADKS ME’s Project Delivery team, adapting to the local market, understanding client expectations, and striking the right balance between competitive pricing and uncompromising quality have been ongoing challenges—and equally valuable lessons.
“Success hasn’t come from saying ‘yes’ to everything,” says Grietje Caels, ADKS ME head of project delivery.
“Internally, we’ve had to be strategic—carefully evaluating where we can genuinely deliver value and making sure our teams are aligned behind that purpose. It’s not just about winning projects; it’s about pursuing the right ones—where our expertise can make a lasting impact and our standards won’t be compromised.”
This approach enables the company to build trust, exceed expectations, and maintain its integrity.
Operations director Con Strydom says: “A key lesson from operating in the Middle East has been the need to understand local regulations early. Staying agile to adapt to rapid market changes has been equally important.”
He emphasises that clear systems for logistics, procurement, and labour management are essential for efficient delivery. Embracing regional cultural diversity also helps build strong teams and client trust.
Radwan believes opportunities outweigh challenges and looks forward to Adirondack Studios’ future partnerships and projects in the Middle East and beyond in its second decade: “To succeed, it’s crucial to have leadership that understands the region’s culture, operations, and competitive landscape.
“With the right mindset, companies can navigate the market confidently, build strong partnerships, and bring creative visions to life in this dynamic environment.”
Clara Rice, Adirondack Studios’ director of global marketing, will be attending IAAPA Expo Europe in Barcelona, Spain, from 21-26 September. Appointments can be arranged via email.
