Dubai, July 26, 2009: Reinforcing its promise to offer unmatched retail and entertainment experiences, Dubai Festival City today announced the launch of Casper Theme Park, the first of its kind in the Middle East.

The 6,340 sq m of unique entertainment at the award-winning Festival Centre is being launched in collaboration with Kuwait-based Future Kid Entertainment and Real Estate Company. Construction is expected to begin shortly and the theme park is planned for opening in the first quarter of next year.

Casper, the friendly ghost is a popular protagonist of the famous theatrical animated cartoon series of the same name. As his name indicates, he is an extremely lovable ghost who prefers making friends with people instead of scaring them. Currently Casper, the friendly ghost is a $1 billion retail brand with over 60 years of global heritage and a series of hit films created on it including a brand new TV series launching late 2009.

Casper Theme Park will be the first of its kind in the region boasting the Middle East's biggest monorail. A wide variety of the latest games and rides from across the globe will be offered including a larger than life roller coaster. The entertainment centre will also provide a cafeteria and gift shop featuring a huge collection of Casper souvenirs and toys. 

Philip Evans, Director - Retail Leasing, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate said, "Festival Centre has always been recognised as a leading entertainment destination and this success along with a few other exciting concepts we plan to announce shortly, reinforces our belief that Festival Centre is the number one retail and leisure destination in Dubai."

Rasha Khalid Al Ghunaim, Chairperson and Managing Director of Future Kid said, "This is our first of many projects in Dubai and we are extremely satisfied with our collaboration with Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate. Casper Theme Park at Dubai Festival City will reinvent entertainment in the region. We have maintained the high level of quality and sophistication Festival Centre is so popular for and are confident of establishing a unique and engaging entertainment centre which will bring one of the most famous children's characters closer to home."

Festival Centre has redefined shopping, dining and leisure in the UAE offering over 400 retailers, over 60 restaurants, cafés and bistros, a 12-screen Grand Festival Cinemas complex and parking for more than 10,000 cars.

Home to Dubai's premier concerts and festivals, Festival Centre has hosted world class entertainment such as Carlos Santana, Maroon 5, Tamr Hosni, Shah Rukh Khan and Kylie Minogue.  Festival Centre presents Dubai a wide array of festivals ranging from the Emirates Airlines International Festival of Literature through to Dubai Desert Rock and the forthcoming Dubai Bike Week.   Each week Festival Centre hosts events, parades, entertainers and musicians ensuring families are always engaged and rewarded for their visit.

Set on the historic Dubai Creek, Festival Centre boasts stunning Marina mooring elite vessels and some of the Emirates' most photographed sunset vistas.

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Dubai Festival City is an Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate development project. Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate is part of Al-Futtaim Group, one of the region's most progressive businesses with more than 80 years operating experience in Asia, Africa and Europe. Dubai Festival City is a world-class waterfront mixed-use urban community encompassing the finest, easily accessible shopping, dining, entertainment, homes, schools, hotels, offices and leisure in one place.

Dubai Festival City covers 1300 acres and stretches 3 kilometres along the historic Dubai Creek. It epitomizes the thriving and visionary spirit of Dubai. This self-contained metropolis will be the centrepiece of the new Dubai - a progressive urban community offering a lifestyle unmatched in terms of luxury, comfort, exclusivity, convenience, and value.

The award winning Festival Centre is a landmark 2.8m sqft urban retail resort which forms the epicentre of Dubai Festival City now acknowledged to be one of UAE's most exciting retail, dining and leisure attractions. Set on the historic Dubai Creek, Festival Centre, which celebrated its second anniversary in March 2009, offers over 400 world class retailers, 60 restaurants, cafés and bistros, a 12-screen Grand Festival Cinema complex and parking for more than 10,000 cars. It also boasts a stunning Marina and some of the emirate's most photographed sunset vistas.

Festival Centre is home to Dubai's premier concerts and festivals and has hosted world class entertainers such as Carlos Santana, Maroon 5, Tamr Hosni, Shah Rukh Khan and Kylie Minogue. It has also presented Dubai with a wide array of festivals from the Emirates Airlines International Festival of Literature through to Dubai Desert Rock and Dubai Bike Week.  Festival Centre hosts events, parades, entertainers and musicians each week ensuring families are always engaged and rewarded for their visit.

© Press Release 2009