Dubai Mall
 

Did anybody go to the grand opening? How is it, especially parking and general access? Is the aquarium worth a look? According to gulfnews.com they have penguins there too.

Re: Dubai Mall
 

poor penguins!

I'm not a shopaholic and the prospect of fighting through the crowds with a buggy and toddler who wants to walk everywhere herself fills me with dread. MotE is bad enough!

Re: Dubai Mall
 

I was hoping for some info on dubai mall as im back in the UK for a week i heard the aquarium is amazing ! Can anyone confirm this ?

Re: Dubai Mall
 

Had a quick looksee....didnt' find the aquarium but the mall was pretty empty really. That was around 5pm.

Re: Dubai Mall
 

According to reports you cannot miss the Aquarium, wonder if its hidden away so they can easily charge in the future?as for being empty at 5 o clock, wait till the weekend, bet you cannot move.

Re: Dubai Mall
 

Isn't it another 'soft opening' ? Many of the major stores aren't due to open until way into next year. Traffic is going to be horrendous as Access 1 is still shut ans virtually all traffic into that area has to go on one road.

I don't like all these aquariums that are opening here (Dubai Mall, Atlantis, the Dolphins at the Creek etc) as they seem to have too many larger species that I just don't think should be in captivity. I know there is much talk of good care and numerous vets, but it just isn't right. And we all know that Dubai doesn't really care as long as something brings in tourist and visitors keen to spend money.

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Re: Dubai Mall
 

I couldn't agree more - cant imagine the penguins being to happy stuck in shopping mall.
What astounds me is that they keep building more malls (or extending existing ones). There is only so much shopping people will do, we've just had family here and they got bored after a few days.
Surely time/money/effort would be better spent getting amusement parks open to keep the tourists coming back?

Re: Dubai Mall
 

Sshhhh! Don't tell anyone!

Seriously, fact of the matter is that Dubai is a fairly boring place after two or so days. An afternoon in Deira's gold souk, a morning at a mall, an afternoon at the beach, and you've seen what Dubai has to offer. Why bother coming back? At least Las Vegas has gambling.

Which is why Dubai feels the keen pressure to keep building more extravagant hotels and malls and resorts-that's the only way they can keep the tourism industry viable.

Re: Dubai Mall
 

There is rather more than that to see and do. Bastikiya, trips to the desert, excellent restaurants, galleries, all that goes on by the Creek, etc. Plus everything in all the other emirates. Shame people don't realise there is more to Dubai than the new bits (Emaar/Marina etc).

Don't forget that Dubailand is being built as the UAE alternative to Disneyland.

We certainly don't need any more shopping malls.

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Re: Dubai Mall
 

you're an idiot.

Re: Dubai Mall
 

:rofl: Don't hold back now.



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Re: Dubai Mall
 

Well it's an idiotic thing to say.

Re: Dubai Mall
 

probably won't be long. Singapore is now building them to attract tourists. Interestingly locals will have to pay to enter but non-locals won't :)

Re: Dubai Mall
 

have you been to 'four floors of whores' yet mate?

Re: Dubai Mall
 

bet that'll go down well eh?