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Dubai as a stopover/short break destination
Afternoon, all.
I'm just popping in from the Aus forum to see if I can pick a few local brains about Dubai. My in-laws have offered to fly me, my husband and our two children (currently 4 and nearly 2) back to the UK for a couple of weeks next year. We're thinking we'll head over at some point between September-November, but are flexible on dates. We're thinking Dubai as we want to go somewhere new, but need to stick to the bus-route flights to keep costs low as we're not footing the bill. (We've done the usual stopover places before - Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Los Angeles.) My questions are: - is Dubai at all child-friendly? (I get the impression it's more for singles/couples, rather than families, based on no good reason!) - any recommendations on what to do/where to go to entertain the brats? - weather wise, when's a good time to visit? We're in Sydney, so kinda used to a bit of heat, but not real scorchers (mid-30s is normally the maximum for summer here). - flights would probably be with Emirates - are they recommended or not? - when we flew with my daughter last, she received lots of attention from the locals in Singapore; I think because of her being blonde haired and blue eyed (and only 2 at the time!). There was no menace in it, but she didn't particularly enjoy it. Will the children (my son's also blonde) be left in peace or should we expect to be pestered? - where to stay? (Or not stay ...!) Any input on whether this is a good plan or utterly stoopid would be appreciated. :) Thanks |
Re: Dubai as a stopover/short break destination
Originally Posted by Geordie George
(Post 10389724)
Afternoon, all.
I'm just popping in from the Aus forum to see if I can pick a few local brains about Dubai. My in-laws have offered to fly me, my husband and our two children (currently 4 and nearly 2) back to the UK for a couple of weeks next year. We're thinking we'll head over at some point between September-November, but are flexible on dates. We're thinking Dubai as we want to go somewhere new, but need to stick to the bus-route flights to keep costs low as we're not footing the bill. (We've done the usual stopover places before - Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Los Angeles.) My questions are: - is Dubai at all child-friendly? (I get the impression it's more for singles/couples, rather than families, based on no good reason!) Yeah it is, waterparks, parks, Sega Republic, Kidzania, Beaches, Pools etc - any recommendations on what to do/where to go to entertain the brats?See above, the waterparks (Wild Wadi and Aquaventure) are mega, I love them and loads for little kiddies as well as big ones like me. Beach days (you probably do a lot, but different view and different ocean.), pool with all hotels, there always good. - weather wise, when's a good time to visit? We're in Sydney, so kinda used to a bit of heat, but not real scorchers (mid-30s is normally the maximum for summer here).September still very hot. Late october it's mid to high 30's, November is more like 33ish, November would be my suggestion, everything is outside and open and a similar temp to the one you're used to - flights would probably be with Emirates - are they recommended or not?You'll get mixed reviews, I like them, never been late for me, service is good, seats are big with legroom for us over 6ft and the entertainment systems make a massive difference (loads of movies, TV, docs, games etc) - when we flew with my daughter last, she received lots of attention from the locals in Singapore; I think because of her being blonde haired and blue eyed (and only 2 at the time!). There was no menace in it, but she didn't particularly enjoy it. Will the children (my son's also blonde) be left in peace or should we expect to be pestered? She's going to get attacked by swathes of locals wanting a picture. Immediately....nah, only kidding. I haven't got a clue but don't think it'll be a big deal - where to stay? (Or not stay ...!) What's your budget? (seriously) Any input on whether this is a good plan or utterly stoopid would be appreciated. :) Thanks Comments above. |
Re: Dubai as a stopover/short break destination
You jest about the local taking photos - that's basically what happened in Singapore. :eek:
Budget for hotels is not massive - around $230 (so Google tells me 875-ish AED) per night. Thanks for your reply. :) |
Re: Dubai as a stopover/short break destination
Originally Posted by Geordie George
(Post 10389759)
You jest about the local taking photos - that's basically what happened in Singapore. :eek:
Budget for hotels is not massive - around $230 (so Google tells me 875-ish AED) per night. Thanks for your reply. :) Booking.com is the best bet, put some random dates in and see what comes back at that price, copy a list of them down and I / others will tell you what's what... |
Re: Dubai as a stopover/short break destination
Locals in Dubai only make up some 10% of the population. A pretty blond child will get some attention but nothing awful.
As young Scamp says, there is masses to families and children to do. After all, the city is full of families. It's mid November now and it was under 30c at 2pm yesterday. It's warm but hot humid so very pleasant, breezes by the sea too. With children make it later so they aren't bothered by the heatm although there is loads to do indoors. Not many other places have so much entertainment inside big shopping malls. AED 870 isn't much for a hotel. Ibis type places will be in budget but nothing by the beach. |
Re: Dubai as a stopover/short break destination
Dubai is a good short stay visit with kids, we pop over regularly from Saudi. I agree that November or later is best weather wise. Dubai is very humid as well as hot in summer, not comparable to Sydney at all.
Blond kids don't attract much attention here as there are many western expat families as well as hordes of Russian tourists. We often stay in aparthotels in the Al Barsha area as good value and reasonable location. Emirates is fine and probably my favoured airline for the torture that is Aus->UK with little ones. A stop in Dubai will save your sanity. |
Re: Dubai as a stopover/short break destination
Also consider Etihad and Abu Dhabi as a stopover. Only 50 minutes from Abu Dhabi airport to Dubai Marina.
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Re: Dubai as a stopover/short break destination
Thanks for your input everyone. You've reassured me that we should at least consider Dubai and that it will be OK with the children in tow. No idea why I've got this preconceived notion that it's some kind of Vegas. :o
I'll start doing some proper research into it now and, probably, be back at some point in future with more questions. |
Re: Dubai as a stopover/short break destination
Originally Posted by Geordie George
(Post 10389823)
I've got this preconceived notion that it's some kind of Vegas..
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Re: Dubai as a stopover/short break destination
Originally Posted by Scamp
(Post 10389824)
It is...
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Re: Dubai as a stopover/short break destination
try to get on the A380. Emirates economy on 777's is pretty cramped compared to other airlines (3-4-3 compared to 3-3-3 on most airlines)
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Re: Dubai as a stopover/short break destination
Originally Posted by Inselaffen
(Post 10389850)
try to get on the A380.
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Re: Dubai as a stopover/short break destination
Nice to see you here George, you will have no problems whatsoever as the other guys have said. If you are flying with Emirates you can get a package deal which will include the hotel stay, it's cheaper to do it that way so I would speak to them and arrange it that way. What part of Geordie land are you from?
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Re: Dubai as a stopover/short break destination
Originally Posted by mikewot
(Post 10389853)
And if using Emirates you can reserve your seats once you have a booking reference, use http://www.seatguru.com/ to help choose.
Tom Cruise (I think, from memory and without Google) said Dubai was "like Las Vegas on steroids....". If he didn't say it, someone else did. |
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