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How to Train Your Dragon land launches at Motiongate Dubai

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How to train your dragon dubai parks resorts motion gate

Guests at Motiongate movie park at Dubai Parks and Resorts can now enjoy a new How to Train Your Dragon themed area. One of the final parts of the park to open, it features a unique coaster/dark ride experience.

Located in the park’s DreamWorks Zone, Dragon Gliders soars over The Isle of Berk and is the first ride of its kind in the region. Riders learn to fly with Hiccup, Toothless, Astrid and Stormfly on an exhilarating journey to the Forbidden Isles. The action-packed experience features a programmable Inverted Powered Coaster system by Mack Rides. This is combined with exclusve media content from DreamWorks, animated figures and special effects.

A similar ride system is employed on Arthur – In the Minmoys Kingdom at Europa-Park in Germany. Dragon Gliders, however, is the first theme park attraction anywhere in the world to feature the How to Train Your Dragon IP. According to DXB Entertainments chief technical officer Matthew Priddy, it is the most immersive and complex attraction in Motiongate.

“We can start, stop, speed up and slow down the ride vehicles so we can focus the guests’ view where we want,” explains Priddy. “This is storytelling through the use of technology as its very best.”

As part of a wider How to Train your Dragon area, Dragon Gliders is complemented by other new attractions in the DreamWorks Zone. The multi-sensory environment recreates the sights, taste and smells of Berk to bring Motiongate guests close to their favourite dragons.

Swing Viking is a custom-themed Galleon ship from Zamperla that is sure to leave passengers without their sea legs. Young Vikings can hone their skills at Camp Viking, an interactive, adventure play area with crawl netting and dragon training tools. In addition, guests can refuel and quench their thirst at the Dragon Flame Grill.

How to Train your Dragon meets Shrek and friends

How to Train Your Dragon is just one of four intellectal properties featured within the DreamWorks Zone at Motiongate. There are also 12 indoor attractions and four live experiences inspired by Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar.

Motiongate is one of three theme parks at Dubai Parks and Resorts. It and the neigbourting Bollywood Parks are operated on behalf of DXB Entertainments by Parques Reunidos. Merlin Entertainments operates the adjacent Legoland Dubai/Legoland Water Park. The entire destination is connected by thhe Riverland Dubai retail and dining destination. Guests can stay at the Polynesian-themed Lapita Hotel, which will be joined in future by the Middle East’s first Legoland Hotel. Expected to open in late 2019, Six Flags Dubai will be destination’s fourth theme park.

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Owen Ralph

Owen Ralph

Feature writer Owen Ralph has covered theme parks and attractions for over 20 years for publications including blooloop, Park World, World’s Fair, Interpark, Kirmes Revue and Park International. He has also served on boards/committees with IAAPA and the TEA. He grew up just 30 minutes from Blackpool (no coincidence?)

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