Dubai, United Arab Emirates, August 2023:It is the biggest season yet in the 23-year history of Modesh World, part of Dubai Summer Surprises, the annual whimsical oasis of wonder and joy which captivates young and old alike.
Once again, the event has only been made possible thanks to months of planning from a whole host of staff and volunteers working tirelessly behind the scenes to bring the magic of Modesh to life for the tens of thousands of visitors that flock to the venue each year.
Every summer season, united by their commitment to crafting unforgettable moments, the Modesh World team meticulously creates a realm where families can enjoy fun, games and entertainment that bridges generations. This only happens thanks to the team at Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) and DXB Live who, together, take great pride in ensuring magical memories for every visitor walking through Modesh World’s doors.
Working round the clock on the project, those hours of team effort have paid off, as Modesh World expects to record visitor numbers in 2023, with more than 115,000 visitors having already been through its doors, with tens of thousands more still expected before the theme park closes for the season on 27 August.
This year, the team had an extra task and a new focus. In 2023, sustainability is at the core of the huge event. More than 80 per cent of the build for this year’s park uses refurbished and recycled materials throughout the construction process – with a heightened focus on reducing, reusing and recycling in line with the UAE Year of Sustainability.
The team incorporated various eco-friendly elements into the build and operations. They used refurbished and sustainable materials, and even adopted a cashless payment system to reduce waste, as well as adding educational workshops – with Modesh and his sidekick Dana teaching young visitors about the importance of safeguarding the planet.
Behind the scenes, Suhaila Saqer Obaid Ghubash, the Executive Director of Festivals and Events at DFRE, is one of the opeople orchestrating this dance of creativity and innovation.
“With teamwork everything is possible,” said Ghubash, reflecting on the journey of crafting Modesh World 2023. “This season, we whittled down 14 versions of the floor plan, creating different alternatives to dazzle and amaze in equal measure – adding that special sprinkling of stardust and creativity that makes the attraction such a joy for visitors,” she added.
As the team prepared for the grand opening, they knew they were fortunate to have a loyal fan base. Modesh World has been entertaining families for almost a quarter of a century with the love of the famous character now passing from generation to generation. “Modesh means nostalgia for those parents and grandparents who grew up knowing him,” said Ghubash, “and now they are bringing their own kids and their grandkids to Modesh World.”
This season, the park has added never-seen-before attractions to ensure that Modesh World evolves and stays new yet relevant from generation to generation whilst staying rooted in its core values. New for 2023 is MELT – Dubai’s first specialised dessert event, which takes visitors on a Willy Wonka style tantalizing journey through a 4,000 square metre zone filled with delectable ice cream combinations.
Also new this year is Gamefy. This dedicated gaming zone attracts gamers of all ages and abilities – testing their skills in a huge variety of old and new digital entertainment challenges, from consoles to table top games enjoyed by all the family. Both additions have proved a big hit with visitors and are sure to return in the years ahead.
Bringing back the ever-popular elements of the event, like the return of the Dubai Customs K9 unit, with the furry canines bringing a smile to everyone, and the return of some colourful creatures from Dubai Safari Park, from snakes to parrots, have also been instrumental to success.
Creating this mix of the familiar and the new is the secret of the attraction’s longevity according to the DFRE and DXB Live teams. “Year after year, we listen to visitor and client feedback,” said Ghubash. “This, combined with feedback from the daily team of ushers working in the halls, means we can keep improving and evolving – adding new attractions, games, and workshops to keep the experience fresh and exciting,” she said.
Last year’s feedback from visitors on adding more healthy eating options fed into the F&B offerings for this edition, as did feedback on more variety of games, with the Gamefy zone epitomising the response to visitor demand, while the food court has seen the introduction of more vegetarian and vegan options for diners.
From educational shows and workshops, to games, to a new healthy initiative this year with added fun runs and workout classes on the main stage, Ghubash said an emphasis is always on providing something for everyone – whether that’s about connecting with children, or allowing grown-ups to connect with their inner child. “That’s the joy of Modesh World,” she told us. And we can’t help but agree.
Modesh World, the free-to-enter indoor edutainment destination, boasts an array of themed games, learning zones, and fun activities for kids of all ages. Open daily, this year’s edition runs until 27 August in halls 2-8 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Modesh World welcomes visitors from 10am to 10pm Monday to Thursday and from 10am to 12am Friday to Sunday.
Enjoy the ultimate summer extravaganza filled with incredible surprises, unmissable retail offers, diverse culinary delights, and endless entertainment this Dubai Summer Surprises, running until 3 September. For more information, visit @CelebrateDubai and @StyledByDubai on social media channels, andwww.mydss.ae. Stay updated with all things Modesh World at @mymodesh.
Dubai Summer Surprises is supported by key sponsor RAKBANK MasterCard and Strategic partners which include: Al Futtaim Malls (Dubai Festival City Mall & Festival Plaza), Al Seef, Al Zarooni Group (Mercato Shopping Mall), AW Rostamani Group, Bluewaters, Citywalk, Emirates Airline, Enoc, Etisalat, Majid Al Futtaim (Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Deira), Nakheel Malls (Ibn Battuta Mall, Nakheel Mall, Dragon Mart 2, Palm West Beach and The View), The Beach and The Outlet Village.
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