Dubai Parks & Resorts is about to add one more reason to visit. Fernando Eiroa, CEO of operator Dubai Holding Entertainment, confirmed at the Rise summit in Dubai that a new waterpark is on the way, with doors expected to open in the next couple of months. According to details shared via Khaleej Times, the attraction is being pitched specifically as a summer play, a sensible move in a city where outdoor theme-parking gets tough once temperatures climb.
Ride details are still under wraps, so nobody knows yet whether this will lean into record-breaking slides, family raft rides or a lazy river. What's clear is the ambition behind the wider site. Dubai Parks & Resorts already packs in Motiongate, Legoland, Legoland Waterpark, Riverland and Real Madrid World, making it the biggest multi-park resort in the region.
The announcement comes hot on the heels of a relaunch. The resort reopened on October 7 after closing in March, and Eiroa says the long pause was put to good use: new restaurants, refurbished rides and general maintenance across the site. Riverland, the dining and entertainment district at the heart of the resort, got the biggest refresh, adding 14 new attractions including bowling, go-karts and car simulators. So even travellers who've been before will find fresh things to do.
Pricing is reasonably family-friendly by Dubai standards. Theme park tickets start from Dhs295 (roughly £60 / $80) per person, while simply wandering Riverland costs Dhs25. A new waterpark will almost certainly be a separate ticket or add-on, so expect more pricing news closer to opening.
Why it matters for travellers: if you're planning a Dubai trip for late 2026 or 2027, it may be worth timing your visit around the new park's debut, especially if you're travelling with kids. The resort sits near Jebel Ali, roughly halfway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and most visitors combine two or three parks across a couple of days. With five existing parks plus this newcomer, it's shaping up as a proper alternative to a beach-only Dubai holiday — and a strong shout for families torn between the city's malls and its theme parks. Watch this space for the ride line-up reveal.
