Help - Recommendations for visitors with young children | ExpatWoman.com
 

Help - Recommendations for visitors with young children

260
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 March 2011 - 18:20

One of my husband's clients is staying at Atlantis for 2 weeks next month with his wife and two children for the family's first visit to Dubai. While there are lots of restaurants at the hotel itself, both children and parents are likely to go slightly “stir crazy” if they stay there for the whole two weeks, so I have been asked to suggest reasonably priced, child friendly restaurants that they could reach by taxi, as well as the “must do” things suitable for children.

I know there must be loads of threads on here covering this but I'm not finding them on my searches, so any thoughts, suggestions or tips would be gratefully received!!

2958
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 31 March 2011 - 13:58
Thanks for the great ideas! I haven't heard of mini monsters though - what/where is it? it's a relatively new indoor play facility on SZR - not far from the Dubai Garden centre I think. It's pretty good and you can sit and have a coffee while the kids play but I didn't like that it was right on the road and when I was there it was pretty open - hopefully they have a gate that stops kids going out to the reception and main door.
12
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 March 2011 - 13:54
Would definitely go to the Dubai mall aquarium and underwater zoo, prices have dropped like mad ! There are full packages now for 100 aed if I remember well
260
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 March 2011 - 13:48
Thanks for the great ideas! I haven't heard of mini monsters though - what/where is it?
2958
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 31 March 2011 - 09:26
Wild Wadi Childrens City Cafe Ceramique Kidzania Stargate Dolphinarium Ride on the metro Ride on the monorail Snow park Mini Monsters Wafi - play area and then Planet Hollywood for food Dubai mall...aquarium, Candilicious Burj Khalifa viewing platform Fountain show at dubai mall All of the above plus Aquaplay at Mirdif City Centre Cite Des Enfants at Mirdif city centre Underwater Zoo at Dubai Mall Ice skating at Dubai Mall Sharjah Wildlife Park is superb Restaurants - child friendly The meat company Rivington Grill would be a good one to go early - nice for the adults too and they can sit on the terrace and watch the fountains. they have a really good kids menu. La Verandah at Jum beach hotel - good pizzas right on the beach with amazing views of BAA P F Changs Bubbalicious brunch at the westin Beachcombers at Jum beach hotel It might be worth them buying the family entertainer book if they are planning on doing lots of days out and eating at different places.
787
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EW GURU
Latest post on 31 March 2011 - 09:05
Wild Wadi Childrens City Cafe Ceramique Kidzania Stargate Dolphinarium Ride on the metro Ride on the monorail Snow park Mini Monsters Wafi - play area and then Planet Hollywood for food Dubai mall...aquarium, Candilicious Burj Khalifa viewing platform Fountain show at dubai mall
260
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 March 2011 - 08:17
Whoops, thought I had mentioned the kids' ages - they are 3 and 5. Thanks for all the suggestions so far, please keep them coming!
183
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 March 2011 - 22:22
Depends totally on ages of children but: Creek Park - includes Dolphinarium, Cable Car, Childrens City and the usual play areas, bbq/picnic, bike hire etc Kidzania at Dubai Mall and Cite des Enfants at MCC - depending on the ages of the children, both say 2+ but personally think is expensive for very young children (e.g. my DD is 2.5 and wouldn't get the value out of either) Aquarium at Dubai Mall is good and not too expensive. Can combine with a trip to Burj K and dinner at fountains (DD loves the fountains) and ice skating Ski Slope at MOE if old enough (think they have to be 3) For older kids MCC has indoor sky-diving, a climbing/rope course and there are cinemas, bowling at most malls.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 March 2011 - 21:25
Post the ages of the kids if you know them and you will get more specific advice... Teenagers and 5 year olds like completely different stuff!
515
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EW GURU
Latest post on 30 March 2011 - 19:18
Don't know how old the kids are but while we were here on hols before move my kids absolutely loved loved loved Kidzania. Infact so much that after about an hour of us being there they basically told us to get lost :( Took it personally for about 30 seconds till I realised it meant DH and I could spend time alone in the mall/ Coffee outside CHILD FREE :) If you ask them about that holiday they will say its the best thing that happened :)
350
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 March 2011 - 18:38
It really depends on how young the children are but my 15 month old DS really liked the underwater zoo and Rainforest Café in Dubai Mall. I guess they would probably like the Fountains as well but as DS was asleep I'm not sure! I haven't explored the parks yet but I guess Creekside or Zabeel should keep them busy for a bit!
 
 

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