Diggerland, the rapidly expanding UK-based adventure park where children can drive real dumpers and other heavy duty vehicles, is set for an entry into Dubai's Global Village.
Diggerland has three sites in the UK, and this fourth site will open in Dubai on January 12.
Global Village has outgrown its previous site near the centre of Dubai and reopens on January 12 on a purpose built site just outside the city centre, within Dubailand, the leisure, entertainment and tourism destination.
"The Diggerland concept has proved to be a huge success with families of all ages," said Hugh Edeleanu, the founder. "This Diggerland in Dubai will now extend the opportunity of experiencing the thrills of driving real construction equipment to a much wider audience.
"Driving the real dumpers is a dream come true for most children - and as far as the adults are concerned, the earthmovers are big boys' toys," he added.
In addition to a great fun day out, Diggerland will be very educational for the children. "They can experience using hydraulics and diesel engines and also master the art of driving as well as the use of excavator controls, both of which promote hand-eye co-ordination," Edeleanu said.
Khalid Al Shafar, marketing manager for The Global Village project, said, "The presence of Diggerland will bring a significant number of additional visitors to The Global Village."
At Diggerland in Dubai there will be a total of 67 machines and nearly 50 staff to supervise all the diggers and dumpers.
One of the most popular rides in the UK is the Supertrack, which is an all terrain vehicle based on a high-speed military snow cat. Visitors to Diggerland in Dubai will be able to ride in the Supertrack over sand dunes in what is being projected as one of the most exciting rides at the complex.
To drive the real diggers at Diggerland, an age limit obviously has to be imposed.
Those ages five and older can drive the real JCBs and dumpers on their own, while those under 5 must be accompanied. There are also height restrictions on some rides.
The Diggerland in Dubai will have no entry charge. Visitors will pay each time they drive or ride in a digger, by using tokens purchased onsite.
"With an excess of 100,000 visitors a day to the Global Village on our 17.2 million square foot site, I am sure that Diggerland will be a very popular attraction," Al Shafar added.
The opening hours of Diggerland and the Global Village are seven days a week, 4pm to midnight, with late opening until 1am on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
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