Dubai Parks and Etisalat plan world’s first smart theme park

Collaboration will see smart functionality integrated into Dubai Parks and Resorts' upcoming leisure destination

13 January 2016

Theme park company Dubai Parks and Resorts has announced a collaboration with UAE telco Etisalat to integrate smart technology into its upcoming development.

Under the deal, functionality including radio frequency identification wristbands and smart apps, ticketing, parking and kiosks will be integrated into the theme park.

Digital payments and connected food and beverage and transportation options are also planned.

“From booking tickets, to finding parking spaces, to choosing rides with lower wait times or deciding on the right cuisine to eat, this collaboration will facilitate an unforgettable trip for visitors with few simple clicks on their smart devices,” said Dubai Parks and Resorts CEO Raed Kajoor Al Nuaimi.

Dubai Parks and Resorts, set to open in October, will feature Hollywood and Bollywood themed parks and the region’s first Legoland, with an attached waterpark. It will be connected by a central retail, dining and entertainment walkway with a hotel.

Etisalat will design and implement the park’s smart solutions and build and manage its ICT and security infrastructure.

Etisalat UAE CEO Saleh Al Abdooli said, “We are pleased about this partnership as it paves the way for the region’s first smart park and contributes to making the UAE the most sought-after global destination for family-oriented entertainment.”

The Dhs 10.5bn attraction is expected to receive around 6.7 million ticketed visits in 2017.