Six days. That’s all that’s left before Global Village opens its gates for Season 31 on October 14th. From new showstoppers to our trusty favourites, we’ve finally got all the details you’ve been waiting for. I’ll keep the chit chat here short, so you can keep reading to find out everything you can look forward to at Global Village this S31!
The Dates, Timings & Ticket Prices
Let’s start with the practical stuff so you can plan your first visit.
After opening night, Global Village will run from 4 PM to 12 midnight, Sunday to Wednesday. From Thursday to Saturday, and on public holidays, it stays open until 1 AM.
Tickets cost AED 25 on weekdays and AED 30 on weekends (Friday to Sunday) and public holidays. You can buy them on the Global Village website or app, or at the gates from 14 October.
A Trip Around The World Without Leaving Dubai
Season 31 has 29 pavilions representing more than 90 cultures, plus over 3,500 shopping outlets. That’s a lot of ground to cover, so wear comfy shoes.
A few pavilions have been refreshed this year, including Sri Lanka and Russia and Azerbaijan. The Syria Pavilion and Kuwait Pavilion are also back with new façades.
There’s something new for collectors too. Season 31 has a redesigned passport, and for the first time there’s a Kids Passport made just for young explorers. Every pavilion has a stamping station, so you can collect stamps as you wander from country to country. It’s a nice keepsake, and a good way to get the kids excited about walking around.
A Fresh Look For The Places You Already Love
If you’ve been before, you’ll notice some changes before you even get inside. The Sharjah tunnel that leads into Global Village has a brand-new theme, so the experience starts before you reach the gates.
The Cultural Gate now has new LED lighting, and Gardens of the World returns with an upgraded design and more green space to stroll through. Dessert District has also been given a new façade, which is good news because that’s where many people end up.
Time To Eat
With more than 250 dining options, you’ll never be stuck for something to try. Here’s what’s new:
- Trabzon Turkish Restaurant joins the lineup.
- Restaurant Plaza has three new additions: Robo Al Sham for Levantine food, Hawawshi Al Rabie for Egyptian flavours, and Chicking for fried chicken.
- Three new cafés are opening: Vinci Dolci, Emir Bey Gourmet and Uzungol Café.
Rides & Attractions For Everyone
There are more than 200 attractions this season, from arcade games and family rides to ones that will get your heart racing. The big news is Tokyo Rush, a new roller coaster with sharp turns, high speeds and a loop. It arrives later in the season, so keep an eye out. The Festival Wheel carts at Carnaval® also have a new look. If you’re after old favourites, The Dragon Kingdom, The Horror Hotel, Secrets of the Lost City and Exo Planet City are all returning.
Shows You’ll Want To Catch
Global Village puts on 40,000 shows a season, and there are three new ones:
- Fast Live 2: The Police Strikes Back is an action-packed stunt show with daring moves and plenty of energy.
- Bollywood Idol follows two brothers on different paths, one chasing fame and the other focused on his studies, with music, dance and emotion.
- Bank Heist is a true-crime-inspired show full of acrobatics and edge-of-your-seat moments.
The anchor show Slam is also back by popular demand. For the little ones, Care Bears and PJ Masks return to the Kids Theatre.
Getting In & Around Just Got Easier
Global Village has also made some changes to make visits smoother:
- VIP parking now has self-payment vending machines, so you can pay before you reach the exit and skip the queue.
- More Family POD Washrooms have been added around the park.
- Better signage is in place across the parking areas, along with new bilingual Gate of the World signs in Arabic and English.
- Happiness Gate has more ticket counters, so waiting times should be shorter.
- A new WhatsApp chatbot gives you instant information and support from your phone while you’re there.
Ready To Plan Your First Visit Of The Season?
The wait is nearly over. Pick a date, gather your group and decide which show or ride you’re heading to first. For the latest updates, head to the Global Village website or follow @GlobalVillageUAE on Instagram.
