Motiongate Dubai Theme Park: Hollywood Attractions, Tickets, Shows

A complete guide to the best rides, shows, tickets, and insider tips for the theme park in Dubai.

Dubai, the city of the future and dizzying skyscrapers, has brought yet another bold dream to life: creating a true Hollywood right in the middle of the desert. Motiongate Dubai breaks conventional notions of theme parks, offering guests not just rides but an actual step behind the screen—into the world of their favorite blockbusters. Imagine a place where you can meet Shrek in his swamp, hunt ghosts on the streets of New York, survive the districts of Panem from "The Hunger Games," and dance to the electrifying rhythm of "Step Up", all in a single day. This guide is your ready-made script for the perfect day at the park. After reading it, you'll know exactly where to head first to beat the crowds, where to find the best angle for a photo with Shrek, and which ride is worth every minute spent waiting in line. Welcome behind the scenes of Hollywood magic!

Immersing Yourself in the World of Cinema: Motiongate's Themed Zones

The park's structure is a true journey through different eras and film genres. Motiongate is divided into five unique themed zones, each transporting you to an entirely new universe. From the glamour of old Hollywood to a dark future and fantastical cartoon worlds, here, everyone will find their own movie set.

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Studio Central: The Golden Age of Hollywood

Your adventure begins right here, on the bustling streets of New York during Hollywood's "golden age." Studio Central is the entrance area, recreating the atmosphere of an authentic film set from the 1930s. It's the perfect place to get in the mood, enjoy a cup of coffee at one of the stylish cafes, browse through souvenir shops, and feel like a movie star even before you reach the first attraction.

Columbia Pictures: Ghost Hunting and Zombie Escapes

Ready to hunt ghosts and escape zombies? This zone is designed for fans of adventure, family comedies, and thrilling blockbusters from the famous film studio.

• Ghostbusters: Battle for New York: Grab your proton packs! An exciting interactive ghost hunt awaits you in New York settings, where you'll become the main character of the famous movie. Aim at the ectoplasmic monsters floating by and compete with friends for the title of the best hunter.
• Zombieland Blast-off: Only for the bravest! Imagine: you're slowly lifted up to the height of a 58-meter tower, revealing a view of what seems like a peaceful park... for a few seconds, you hover in deafening silence, and then—without warning!—you plunge into a dizzying free fall, hurtling back down toward the zombie-infested ground. This isn't just a drop; it's a true test of your nerves, Zombieland-style.
• Hotel Transylvania: A charming and completely non-scary journey for the whole family through Count Dracula's famous hotel. Ride cozy, coffin-shaped carriages, meet all its hilarious guests, and enjoy the chaos they create at Mavis's birthday party.

Smurfs' Village: A Fairy-Tale World for the Littlest Ones

Welcome to the magical village where tiny blue creatures live in brightly colored mushroom houses! This area is entirely designed for the park's youngest visitors. Here, everything is steeped in fairy tale magic—from interactive play areas to rides perfectly suited for kids.

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The zone's key attraction is the family-friendly roller coaster Smurfs Village Express. It's the perfect first experience for little ones, offering them tons of excitement without any unnecessary fear as they glide through the entire fairy-tale village.

DreamWorks: The Perfect Escape from Dubai’s Heat

The main highlight of this zone is that it’s huge, fully covered, and air-conditioned. It’s the best place to spend the hottest hours of the day (from 12:00 to 16:00) in cool comfort, surrounded by your favorite cartoon characters. The zone is divided into four magical worlds:

• Shrek’s World: Here, you’ll truly find yourself in Shrek’s swamp—with his famous treehouse and all the fairytale characters. The main adventure here is an interactive 4D show where you’ll join the heroes in rescuing Fiona, feeling splashes of water and gusts of wind.
• Madagascar World: Get ready for chaos! The star attraction here is the roller coaster Madagascar Mad Pursuit. This isn’t just a ride—it’s an adrenaline-packed chase after a circus troupe in complete darkness. You can’t see where you’re heading—only hear the heroes’ screams, catch glimpses of special effects, and feel every sharp turn. It’s crazy and incredibly fun!
• How to Train Your Dragon World: Feel like a real Viking soaring through the skies. The suspended roller coaster Dragon Gliders creates an incredible sense of flight. You’ll glide smoothly and sharply swoop over the rooftops of Berk village, feeling the wind in your hair and seeing the world through Hiccup’s eyes on Toothless’s back.
• Kung Fu Panda World: Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Valley of Peace, where interactive entertainment and encounters with Master Po await you. The main attraction here is an exhilarating 4D journey down the river, packed with unexpected twists, water effects, and humor in the style of your favorite cartoon.

Lionsgate: Territory Only for the Bravest

Warning: this zone is not for the faint of heart! Two iconic franchises come to life here, pushing adrenaline levels to the max. It’s a territory for teenagers and adults seeking truly thrilling experiences.

• Capitol Bullet Train: The park’s flagship attraction, inspired by "The Hunger Games." These high-speed roller coasters don’t just ride, they fling you through a corkscrew loop and several dizzying turns, simulating the desperate journey from District 12 to the Capitol.
• John Wick: Open Contract: Forget everything you thought you knew about roller coasters. This is something else entirely. Imagine: your four-person car speeds along the track while simultaneously spinning freely 360 degrees, reacting to every turn. You’ll soar forward one moment, hurtle backward into the abyss the next, and then be spun into a chaotic spiral—it’s a true ballet of chaos inspired by John Wick’s gunfights. The sensations are beyond words—you have to experience them yourself.

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Lights, Camera, Action! Shows and Entertainment

Motiongate isn't just about rides—it also features live performances of Hollywood caliber, creating a unique festive atmosphere and giving you a chance to catch your breath between thrilling attractions.

• Step Up Dubai, All In!: An electrifying dance show based on the popular movie franchise. Professional dancers put on a real battle of styles on the stage of the Hollywood Theatre, filling the entire auditorium with energy.
• King Julien’s Sideshow Stomp: An interactive, fun, and highly musical performance for the whole family, starring King Julien and other characters from "Madagascar." Get ready to dance and sing along—you simply can't stay still!
• Meet-and-Greets with Characters: Throughout the park, you'll have the opportunity to hug Shrek and Fiona, take photos with Smurfette, say hello to characters from "Hotel Transylvania," or even meet the Ghostbusters. These moments often become the warmest memories of the day.

When the Park Transforms: Seasonal Events

The park lives in rhythm with the holidays and offers its guests truly unique experiences during certain seasons. Be sure to check the events calendar before your visit.

• Halloween Fright Nights (October): The scariest and most thrilling event of the year. The park transforms completely: special haunted rooms appear, and actors dressed as monsters roam its pathways. This is one of the most popular events, attracting crowds of thrill-seekers.
• Winterfest (December–January): During the New Year holidays, Motiongate transforms into a true winter wonderland. You’ll find decorated Christmas trees, festive decorations, artificial snow, themed shows, and, of course, a chance to meet Santa Claus.

Who is Motiongate Dubai for?

This section will help you determine whether the park is right for you and your group.

Perfect for:

• Families with children of all ages: Thanks to an incredible variety of zones, from the magical Smurf Village to the massive DreamWorks pavilion, there’s entertainment here for both toddlers and older kids.
• Teenagers and young adults: The Lionsgate zone, with its thrilling rides inspired by "The Hunger Games" and "John Wick," is designed specifically for those seeking adrenaline.
• Movie fans: If you love Hollywood, you’ll appreciate the incredible attention to detail, the immersive atmosphere that fully transports you into the worlds of your favorite films, and the high-quality shows.

So how do you choose your ideal park in Dubai?

Consider what appeals to you most:

• Motiongate is your choice if you love Hollywood in all its diversity. It’s like visiting a huge multiplex where cartoons for kids and action-packed movies for adults are playing in adjacent theaters.
• IMG Worlds of Adventure is a paradise for geeks and comic book fans. If the names Marvel and Cartoon Network universes make your heart race, this is the place for you.
• Ferrari World (located in Abu Dhabi but often considered alongside Dubai’s parks) is a temple of speed and adrenaline. Here, everything revolves around the Ferrari brand and the desire to break speed records. Perfect for petrolheads and thrill-seekers looking for the ultimate extreme experience.

Planning Your Visit: All the Practical Information

Here you’ll find all the essential details to help you plan the perfect day at Motiongate Dubai.

Tickets and Opening Hours

We strongly recommend purchasing tickets online in advance—this way you’ll avoid queues at the entrance ticket booths and can often save a bit of money. For spring 2025, the park typically operates from noon until late evening, but the schedule frequently changes depending on the season and day of the week. Always check the official website for the most up-to-date timetable on the day of your visit.

Best Time to Visit

To avoid crowds, try visiting the park on weekdays (in Dubai, that’s Monday through Thursday). Arrive right at opening time and head straight for the most popular areas deep inside the park (Lionsgate, DreamWorks)—this way you’ll be able to ride the main attractions with minimal wait times while the bulk of visitors are still entering the park.

Food, Drinks, and Souvenirs

The park grounds feature numerous cafes and restaurants to suit every taste and budget: from hot dog stands to themed eateries offering American, Italian, and Asian cuisine.

• Budget: A bottle of water will cost you 8–12 dirhams, and an average lunch for one at a fast-food café will set you back 65–100 dirhams. Prices are provided as a guideline (current as of early 2025) and are subject to change.
• Life hack: Free drinking water fountains are conveniently located throughout the park. This is a great way to save money and avoid dehydration.
• Shopping for movie buffs: Be prepared for some serious spending if you're a true fan. The shops in each themed area aren't just souvenir stores—they're actual merchandise galleries. Here, you can find that very magic wand from "Hotel Transylvania" or an exclusive John Wick figurine that you really can't buy anywhere else. It's a fantastic opportunity to bring home not just a magnet, but a piece of your favorite cinematic universe.

Useful Services and Accessibility

For your comfort, the park offers lockers, free Wi-Fi, a medical center, prayer rooms, and childcare facilities.

Park Rules You Should Know

Motiongate Dubai is built on paradox, and therein lies its greatest strength. This is the only park in the region where a children's Smurfs fairytale and the adrenaline-fueled thriller of "The Hunger Games" coexist peacefully on the same grounds. It's precisely this contrast that makes it the perfect choice for families or groups of friends, each with their own vision of an ideal day of entertainment. It doesn't matter where you start—whether it's soaring on a dragon or racing aboard the Capitol train. At Motiongate Dubai, you're the main character no matter what. The script is written, the sets are ready, and the camera is already rolling. Your very own blockbuster is about to begin.