Motiongate Dubai

MOTIONGATE : Opening Day, Hotel Transylvania and much more…

Motiongate Dubai theme park finally opened its gates! Travellerczech couldn’t miss that never-ending confetti rain and brings you the opening day photos & park/ride updates!

Dreamwork, Hunger Game zone’s and water raft ride are still closed, but most of the attractions are now fully operational.

Read & see all about Motiongate rides in my previous post HERE!

So far, all the rides appeal more to a families rather than adrenalin hungry theme park fans, but let’s see how the Bullet Train rollercoaster up’s the game once opened next spring.


Motiongate Dubai
John Hallenbeck ( park manager ) himself 🙂

Note…Sony Picture Studio was re-named to Columbia Pictures…

Motiongate Dubai


Now…few updated shots from around the park…


Hotel Transylvania :

Let’s have a closer look at the new dark ride. Again, the queuing area is amazing, so much details inside the show building itself and nice trackless vehicle system which takes you on a ride through different rooms inside the castle. Not much is happening though …

Not sure, why three rides ( Ghostbusters, Smurf Studio Tour and Hotel Transylvania ) has exactly the same ride system ( with different theming ). They all feel very static and you more, or less passively looking at pretty displayed props.


Smurf Studios Tour :

Cute and slow ride through Smurf Studio set up. It was actually quite enjoyable if you have no expectations, but I am sure the little ones will be delighted.

Also, the Smurf Village Express “coaster” was being tested ( not open ).


Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs river expedition :

Another ride which is still under construction…but for sure, it will be a very wet experience once ready.


Hunger Games :

Hopefully the “highlight” of the park … Capitol Bullet train and Flight over Panem attractions…stay tuned!


  • Tickets cost 250Aed per day, or 295 ( Special offer ) for all three parks

More updates will come soon !!! 🙂

THANK YOU FOR VISITING 

Travellerczech.com

COME BACK SOON !


 

Motiongate Park Dubai

DUBAI PARKS AND RESORTS : Motiongate…100 photos from world’s newest theme park!

Motiongate park Dubai is warming up for its grand opening on Dec 16th and Travellerczech is bringing you great bunch of photos and all the info you need to know from world’s newest theme park.

Motiongate Dubai welcomes Hollywood to the Middle East with 27 rides based on movies such as Shrek, Hunger Games, Kung Fu Panda, Green Hornet or Underworld.

I would like to share with you my experience and I hope you will find my post enjoyable and informative. All the descriptions and points below are based on my personal views as a regular global theme park visitor and compared with the biggest competitors in the industry…enjoy  responsibly ! 🙂

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Entrance to the theme park

Motiongate is joining LEGOLAND Dubai, Bollywood Park & LEGOLAND Waterpark creating unique destination connected by entertaining zone called Riverland with Polynesian themed Lapita hotel.

By 2020, there will be 4 waterparks and 7 theme parks between Dubai and Abu Dhabi so expectations are running high!

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Full of details, fun and colours…

Park itself is a bit of a walk through Riverland, but the main gate looks epic and really sets up the mood together with the movie songs playing in the background.

You cannot walk from one part of the park to another without seeing a street show, take a snap with movie characters or experience some excitement!

” Riverland photos – CLICK HERE”

Motiongate is definitely the best park from all four, inside Dubai Parks and Resorts (DPR).

Great theming, nice atmosphere and plenty of details to get immersed into the world of movies…still tons of work to do, but so much potential.

Only few rides were open during my visit and you can read my opinion about them below.


After entering, the Studio Central ( main street ) takes you to 4 different zones.

  1. Lionsgate
  • Step Up Dubai ! All in – musical show
  • Panem Aerial Tour – 3D flight simulator ( opening early 2017 )
  • Capitol Bullet Train – launched coaster ( opening early 2017 )
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Studio Central “Main Street”
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Future Gate to Lionsgate Zone

  • 2. Smurf’s Village (rides closed during my visit / under construction)
  • Smurfberry Factory – interactive kids area
  • Woodland Play Park – obstacles
  • Smurf Village Express – baby rollercoaster
  • Studio tour – dark ride
  • Smurf Village Playhouse
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Entrance to beautifully themed Surfs Village

  1.  Dreamworks (closed during my visit / under construction)
  • Kung Fu Panda : Unstoppable Awesomeness – 4D simulator
  • Melman Go Round – carrousel
  • Penguin Air – rotating aircrafts
  • Madagascar Mad Pursuit – indoor speed coaster
  • The Swinging Viking – spinning boat
  • Shrek’s Merry Fairy Tale Journey – Puppet Show
  • Dragon Gliders – suspended family coaster
  • Swamp Celebration – spin ride
  • Kung Fu Academy stage show
  • Mr. Fling’s Noodles Fling – tea cups style ride
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Dreamworks Indoor Zone

  1.  Sony Picture Studio ( some rides open during my visit )
  • Green Hornet High Speed Chase – rollercoaster
  • Ghostbusters Battle for New York – laser shooting dark ride
  • Zombie Blast Off – drop tower
  • Hotel Transylvania – family dark ride
  • Underworld 4D – movie show
  • Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs river adventure – water raft ride
  • Flint’s Imagination Lab – kids playground
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Entrance to Sony Pictures Studio … letters coming soon
  • Green Hornet High Speed Chase  – well…not high speed at all, not even one moment of excitement for me. I would love to see Enchanted Airways (USS), or Flight of the Hippogriff (USO) quality. Queue is nice though.

 

  • Hotel Transylvania ( closed during my visit ) – just beautiful and great perspective makes the castle look much bigger then it is. Can’t wait to experience the dark ride!
  • Zombie Blast Off – classic drop tower, but nicely themed…
  • Ghostbuster : Battle for New York – I don’t want to be bad, but I was really expecting action packed and highly entertaining ride similar to Transformers, or Spiderman 3D in Universal Parks. Unfortunately, this is a laser-gun-ghost-on-the-screen-shooting-boredom. Such a wasted opportunity, the vehicle system looks impressive, theming also but laser guns and projections, such a let down…
  • Cloudy with a chance of meatballs – this wet and wild raft adventure is still under construction.
  • Underworld 4D – great queuing area and pre-show with lightning. The 3D effects are really strong, sharp and scary…maybe they shouldn’t be allowing small kids inside, as the movie has to be stopped to let the freaked out little ones out. Not enough 4D tricks. The movie would be better just with the glasses as the moving seats, water or air are just distracting. Also, didn’t get the story and there isn’t proper beginning or end to it. Feels random.

FOOD :

Restaurants and kiosk is plenty. All the interiors look really good, with quality finish and helpful staff.

Food variety is now limited to Pizza, Pasta, Burgers and Hot Dogs but soon, there will be a-la-carte restaurant. As you would except from a theme park, prices aren’t cheap and the burger I bought, was very small.

 


  • SHOPPING : 

Selection and variety of branded character merchandise is great. The offering is more impressive than Tokyo Disneyland I have visited few weeks ago.  Watch your wallet 🙂


  • FACILITIES
  • washrooms
  • water fountains
  • full body/clothes drying capsules
  • strollers parking areas / rental
  • lockers
  • guest services office
  • currency exchange / ATM
  • Baby care room
  • Photo collection
  • First Aid

  • 10 FUN FACTS :
  1. 1,9m sq.ft of park ( planned 4m for expansion )
  2. 21 from 27 rides are indoors
  3. 120 live shows / day
  4. 13 Hollywood blockbusters inspired rides
  5. 3170 seats for all rides and attractions in the park
  6. 1000 seats at Motiongate theatre
  7. 595 palm trees in the park
  8. 32m height of the tallest point on the Capitol Bullet Train coaster
  9. 5 rollercoasters ( only 1 big one though )
  10. 9 restaurants inside the park

  • USEFUL INFO :
  • Opening time : 11am – 7pm daily ( timing vary by day / season )
  • Regular entry cost : Aed 250 / Annual Pass Aed 865
  • Park is offering Q Fast Pass for additional fee/Parks also offers multi park packages
  • Location is in on Sheik Zayed road in Jebel Ali towards Abu Dhabi ( 20min drive from Dubai Marina / 50min from Dubai Downtown)
  • Parking is available for Aed 50 fee + free shuttle bus ride / VIP parking also available / No public transport yet.

“Don’t forget to check photos of Legoland & Bollywood Park Dubai”


 

Motiongate Park Map

Motiongate Park Map


THANK YOU FOR VISITING 

Travellerczech.com

COME BACK SOON … and follow me on Instagram, or Twitter 


 

motiongate-theme-park-dubai
I just love Puss in the Boots …:)
Gran Ms Kyoto Hotel

KYOTO : Hotel Gran Ms Kyoto…disappointment in a great location / REVIEW

I consider myself a little bit of an expert, when it comes to choosing (and judging) hotels and spend a lot of time investigating all available amenities before booking any accommodation.

Unfortunately the Gran Ms Kyoto hotel wasn’t the best choice. Read below why…


Overview :

Ms.Gran Kyoto is sort of boutique property in terms of size, but otherwise offers mediocre rooms, dreadful bathrooms and it is really only good for overnight stay with no expectations.

Lobby looks promising and the reception staff is friendly but with little knowledge of English. Hotel has no restaurant and it offers no F&B options.

There is a vending machine and free to use laundry with one tumble dryer (always busy).

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Main Entrance

Location:

central but quietly nestled locality just few metres off the main street, it’s probably the best benefit of this hotel.

Easy walk from the nearest metro and easy access to the main street with plenty of restaurants, covered shopping arcades and fun places to see and do.

“8 MUST SEE” places within walking distance:

  • Gion “geisha” district 15min
  • Kyoto Kamogawa river ( restaurants ) 10min
  • 2 Main shopping streets 2min
  • Covered shopping arcades 5min
  • Nearest grocery store 30sec
  • Nearest Metro station ( Kyotoshiyakusho-Mae ) 5min
  • Imperial palace 40min
  • Museum of Manga 20min


Room:

I have booked the Deluxe Twin Room, which is bigger than the standard (micro) room. The décor is nothing much to rave about, but it is ok.

The problem is the bathroom which, is like a plastic “box insert” in to the room. It is difficult to get become the big step and it smelled of wee…

Another bad thing was the window, it didn’t open and it was covered with some vinyl foil. Non existing view and depressing feeling. Also, noise from the corridor can be heard in the room.

Bed was comfortable enough, room includes fridge, small safe and desk.

Wi-Fi was free but the signal didn’t cover the entire room…weird !


Service:

I didn’t really come across many staff except the receptionist’s, where everyone was helpful but with minimal English language.

The only staff I saw were the cleaners, which always occupied the room when I returned from the outside.


Dining / Entertainment :

Hotel doesn’t have any food or beverage facility. There are a few breakfast places nearby. Expect long queues to get seated though.

Grocery shop is next to the hotel so it is easy to get basic staff like a water, umbrellas etc., ATM is also inside!


Facilities :

  • Reception,
  • Laundry room,
  • Vending machine

Who is it for :

If you are going to spend the entire day exploring amazing Kyoto and need just a bed to sleep, this could be a good option. Otherwise, keep searching elsewhere.


What makes it special :

  • location

Not so good :

  • room decor / view
  • bathroom size / smell
  • no breakfast
  • weak Wi-Fi

Verdict :

well…I personally wouldn’t stay in this hotel again. It has too many cons and the bathroom smell really put me off.  Also the inconvenience to search every morning for place to eat breakfast and blocked window view didn’t help…NEXT !

Travelling to Singapore, Tokyo or Prague ? More Hotel reviews HERE 


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Kyoto is amazing … don’t forget to visit Fushimi Inari shrine with thousands of torii gates

THANK YOU FOR VISITING

Travellerczech.com

COME BACK SOON !