A new Virtual Reality ( PVRK ) park is now open in Dubai Mall. You can’t miss the entrance, evoking the Inception movie-themed bending streets of Dubai and surrounded by other popular attractions such as Kidzania, Haunted House or 22-screen Movie Theater.
Unfortunately, the flashy entrance promises more than the actual theming inside delivers. I wasn’t impressed with the dark and non-descriptive space. Sure, the upside down Burj Khalifa definitely has the wow factor, but that’s about it.
The attraction itself spreads across two levels using space of the recently re-branded Sega Republic “theme park”. Some of the original flat rides were kept in and just re-themed to fit with the new concept.
You can “escape the reality” in more than 15 experiences which majority involves VR Headset.
Here is the main issue…the quality of the graphic used is quite rudimentary, which ruins the sense of reality. It also smells a bit, some of the headsets are quite heavy, not comfortable to wear and dysfunctional. At least half of the rides were disappointing due to these failings.
Also, some footage isn’t very well coordinated with the actual ride movement, which is most obvious on the Plummet attraction. Try to ride Dubai Drone, or Plummet without the headset!
In my humble opinion, there are only 3 experiences worth a visit :
- The Walking Dead VR Outbreak
- The Raft
- Burj Drop
Don’t’ miss a review of every each ride & photos below…:)
VR Park Dubai is a full-fledged Virtual Reality park trying to bring family entertainment to another level. But does it deliver enough fun to justify the price tag? Let’s see the comparison of day passes with other entertainment destinations in Dubai and Worldwide:
PRICE COMPARISON
- VR Park Dubai: AED200 / USD55 ( no resident offer / you opt for pay by ride AED45 )
OTHER DUBAI PARKS…
- Aquaventure Waterpark: AED195 ( resident rate ) / AED275 ( full price )
- IMG World’s of Adventure: AED195 ( resident rate ) / AED245 ( full price )
- Motiongate Dubai : AED165 ( resident rate) / AED235 ( full price )
- Ferrari World Abu Dhabi: AED195 ( resident ) / AED295 ( full price )
MAJOR WORLDWIDE PARKS…
- Disney Magic Kingdome CA: USD102 / AED374
- Alton Towers Park: GBP55 / AED269
- Universal Studio Singapore: SGD76 / AED 210
- Sea World FL: USD78 / AED286
Make your own judgment…
LIST of ATTRACTIONS :
1. Arena
- Terrible photomontage experience with animated animals & objects. You can choose from different themes ( dinosaurs, ocean, safari ) and somehow try to take photos with virtual “things”. The outcome isn’t very exciting…NEXT!
2. Burj Drop
- This is quite an enjoyable drop tower ride, which feels much more dramatic thanks to the VR headset. Good fun cleaning Burj Khalifa facade and falling down!
3. Geminose: The VR Carousel
- just some slow spinning “thing” for the little ones…including VR headset.
4. Robocom
- Space shooting VR game while sitting in a moving seat. Good graphics, a bit long and no scoring system which makes the game pointless.
5. Robocom VR
- 3D Floor projection of chosen theme ( shark attack etc. ), which was actually enjoyable. The floor screen is clear and hydraulic movement and effects work well with the film. You will be enclosed with three other people inside a moving box and watch the floor below you through 3D glasses.
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6. The Raft
- The Raft requires players to grab their VR guns and work together to defend the swamp against an infestation of supernatural creeps. One of the highlights of my visit. Clear VR experience and fun for four players. Equipment was very responsive and new.
7. The Walking Dead VR Outbreak
- Survive a ride through the zombie-infested hospital. A scary zombie shooting action game. Not for the faint-hearted ( like me 🙂 ), You will be shooting the undead from a wheelchair while being pushed through dark, creepy sanatorium. Clear visuals, good sound, and scary fun all the way!
8. Ape-X
- Just NO! Bad graphics, non-responsive gloves, broken sound and very long shooting game while standing on top of a skyscraper. Definitely one of the worst activities. I’ve left after few minutes…
9. VR Sports
- I didn’t try, but it does look like a Wii but more immersive with the VR headset. You can choose skating, hockey, soccer etc…
10. Plummet
- VR Skydive experience. The footage doesn’t match the movement of the ride, so better enjoy without the headset. You will be spinning upside down on this rotating pendulum ride. Good fun!
11. PAYDAY: The VR Heist
- A bank robbery goes wrong. Just another shooting activity. You need to play in a team.
12. The Mummy Prodigium Strike & John Wick Chronicles VR Experiences
- These are two similar experiences involving VR headset to transport you into a movie theme. I have tried the Mummy theme and was shooting zombies ( or something ) from moving helicopter ( it didn’t look very Mummy-ish ). It would be fun if it didn’t make me dizzy.
14. Construct
- I Didn’t find this attraction ( perhaps I wasn’t looking hard enough ) but it supposes to be scenes exploring game from PresenZ movie format ( whatever that is )
15. Dune Bash
- Dune Bash attraction is actually two rides. First one is 3D action journey on a vehicle with “attached to an airplane” story. The car you are sitting in moves, turns, shakes while you are watching the mediocre footage. The other rise is similar but includes VR headset and dune bashing theme. Nothing to rave about…
16. VR Baloon
- As you can guess, you will be transported in the air to watch the world below. A bit boring activity including VR Headset.
17. VR Bus
- Another boring and not very enjoyable experience. You will be sitting on a bus watching scenes from chosen city. Do yourself a favor and skip this one…
18. Dubai Drone
- Wild Mouse type of rollercoaster including VR headset with bad, spasmodic footage of Dubai. Much better to enjoy this ride without the VR. Pity about the spinning at the end, it’s too much and will make you dizzy. Still, one of the better rides…
I was happy to experience this attraction but will stick with a “real” theme parks. There is nothing better then adrenalin rush while conquering the speed on Ferrari World’s Formula Rossa, or being “flushed down” on Aquaventure Water Park Poseidon’s Revenge…
PRACTICAL INFO :
- OPENING TIME: 10AM-11PM ( vary by day )
- LOCATION: DUBAI DOWNTOWN / DUBAI MALL – LEVEL 2
- TICKET PRICE: FROM AED45 ( PAY BY RIDE )
- WEBSITE: VRPARKDUBAI.COM
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