Q – Quick Guide to Dubai Mall | #AtoZChallenge

Q – Quick guide to Dubai Mall | #AtoZChallenge #BlogchatterA2Z

When visiting Dubai it would be criminal of you if you miss the Dubai Mall. It is the second largest mall by total land area and the world’s most visited shopping destination for a reason. Given its sheer size, it is practically impossible to cover everything in one go hence I decided to give you a quick tour of the mall and guide you to places that you shouldn’t miss.
Everybody visits a mall for shopping and with more than 1000 retail outlets your shopping cravings are well fed off. Through this post will try to highlight those places, which either I haven’t discussed earlier or are of interest.
How to reach
The Dubai Mall has many entrances, as it is located in the heart of Downtown Dubai. One can simply not miss Burj Khalifa in the center of it. If you traveling in a taxi you will be impressed with how organized everything is.
If you are taking a metro then get off at Dubai Mall, but it will still take another 10-15 min to reach the mall. There is also a free shuttle bus from the metro station to the mall.
Some of the places you can choose to visit depending upon your preferences:
Football in the mall
Yes, you heard it right! You and your kids can enjoy football inside the Dubai Mall. Go to the 2^nd floor (p7) and head to the football pitch called ‘Goal’. It is a ‘Drop and shop’ concept where you can drop your kids while you go ahead with your disturbance-free shopping. It is ideal for kids of 10-15 years of age.
Caboodle
Caboodle is another ‘Drop and shop’ zone where you can leave your kids under a paid guidance and you can go ahead for hassle-free shopping. It is an indoor play arena with multiple activities for kids including an arts and crafts zone. It is one of the popular places for kids in Dubai Mall along with Kidzania.
Supervised Caboodle entry is AED 70 per hour per child.
Emirates A380 Simulator
For all those who wanted to become a pilot and fly a commercial plane, this is a must try for you. It is an amazingly realistic simulator where you get to experience what it is to take off, fly and land a commercial plane. To add to the authenticity you can take help of assistance during the flight. Head to ‘the Village’ on level G.
Tickets: starts at AED 325 for 30 min.
Hysteria
For all the thrill seekers, Hysteria is a haunted house, but way better than what we usually find in India. With the use of technology, the fear-based attractions are on a different level. There is a retail outlet at the exit where you can but some horror and fear related merchandise.
The ticket starts at AED 35.
VR Park
VR Park has replaced the SEGA Republic, which was a gamer’s paradise. The newly opened VR Park is a virtual reality indoor theme park where you can try your hands at many high-tech virtual reality games. When your beautiful half is busy trying multiple dresses and it might seem like ages to you…head to the VR park for some entertainment.
Prices start at AED 35
Print a 3D candy
I know it’s hard to believe but you can get a 3D printed candy at one of the cutest places in Dubai Mall. It is the world’ first 3D gummy printer, which can print up to 20 different designs – including the Dubai skyline. The candy can last for a year but would you let it last that long!
Drive an F1 Car
If you aren’t able to visit the Ferrari World, don’t worry; you can still try your hand at a Ferrari at the Ferrari store on Level 1, which is adjacent to the waterfall. You’ll find a purpose-built F1 simulator sent straight from Maranello (the Ferrari F1 factory). It uses the same software as Ferrari racers train with. Jump into the seat and go zoom!
Read the other post on Kids where you can find more details about Kidzania and Dubai Ice Rink.
Not everything comes at a price and there are many attractions that don’t require your wallet to shed weight.
Fashion Avenue
It is an ultra-modern fashion precinct housing brands such as Armani, Gucci and Chanel. You can not only shop here but also take a stroll around the vast space of 440,000 sq. ft. and click a picture. Fashion Avenue is one of the best places to take pictures inside the Dubai Mall. Even the restrooms are elegant and exquisite and just go there to experience luxury.
Dubai Aquarium
Located at the entry level right in the center of the mall. One can reach the Aquarium from anywhere in the mall. If you aren’t paying and going inside the aquarium and underwater zoo, you can still gaze at the marine life on display through a massive glass partition. This is one of the best places to take a picture in the mall and usually crowded, so finding a spot might be cumbersome. I would still recommend you to pay the price and watch the king croc, believe me, its totally worth it.
Timings: 10 am to 12 am
Rage Bowl Skate Park
It’s a hidden place on Level 2. It is one of the best places to try skating in Dubai. If you finally manage to locate it then you are in for a treat; one can skate there for free.
Meet a Dino
For all the Dino-lovers of all ages, head to the Souk area where in the middle there is full-size skeleton of a 155-million-year-old dinosaur. You will be amazed by the sheer size of the skeleton; just imagine what it would have been in flesh. The most important thing, this dinosaur skeleton is on permanent display and doesn’t require a ticket.
Dubai Fountain
The best place to spend your evening at the Dubai Mall. I am sure you will be tired by now. Head to the lower ground floor and in the opposite direction of the entrance. Take a seat at any of the lavish restaurants beside the lake and watch the Dubai fountain, the world’s largest choreographed fountain system. It is accompanied by a laser show for which the world’s tallest building is used as a canvas. You cannot imagine the scale; you have to experience it to believe it. The sound, the lights, the lasers along with the Fountain makes it for a mesmerizing experience and that too at zero cost.
Shows every 30 min from 6pm to 11pm; Abra rides AED 20 per person.
Where to eat
You can find every possible cuisine in the world at the Dubai Mall. There are a plethora of options at the food court on level 2.
Cake and Coffee addicts – Hummingbird or Magnolia Bakery
Tea – Café Bateel
Salads and grills at Wafi Gourmet
Pasta lovers – Vanellis, it is like the subway of the pasta world where you can decide what goes into your pasta.
TGIF with an amazing view of the fountain and Burj Khalifa.
French cuisine at the ultra-luxe café Angelina or Parisian-style bistro Aubaine.
Candy lovers – head to the world’s largest candy store, Candylicious.
Finish your day with dinner at Souk Al Bahar, an Arabic-style marketplace or enjoy cocktails on the terrace of the Address Boulevard.
I can keep going on and on but then this post will become as big as the Dubai Mall. You can always reach out to me if you have any questions regarding Dubai Mall or Dubai – City of Gold.
For all those who love candies,
For all those who are gaming freaks,
For all those who love fountain shows,
And
For all those who love the Dubai Mall…
It’s not a goodbye,
But it’s a GOOD BYE.
Manas ‘Sameer’ Mukul
This is the 17th post for the #AtoZChallenge #BlogchatterA2Z. My theme in Travel Category is ‘Dubai – the City of Gold’, where I would be covering everything about the city in the course of 26 posts.
Read the Previous post here: Dubai – City of Gold
Please do visit tomorrow for the next post with the letter ‘R’
I am also taking part in the #AtoZChallenge #BlogchatterA2Z using another theme –‘IPL – Indian Parliamentary League’. If you are keen on following key issues pertaining to the upcoming General Elections head over to the Politics Theme and share your feedback.