robbalvey Posted February 13, 2011 Author Share Posted February 13, 2011 ^ Nope, not to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airtime&Gravity Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 You could win a Maybach??? Aren't these cars like $250k???  The Maybach costs at least 900000 euros.  Link  It's amazing how much money is over there even in a poor economy.  Great trip report, and it's amazing what there is to do over there. Ski Dubai looks great, and its cool to see Dubai pushing the architectural limits by building what seems to be impossible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midgetman82 Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 Great report! After a few weeks from my trip, I soon found out that some of the slides in Aquaventure actually has a camera that takes your picture down the first drop. It was one of the slides on the second level. Â I always thought the Atlantis in the Bahamas was slightly better, but that could have been due to my cruise down there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatle11 Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 And yes, this is that famous slide you've probably seen where you slide through the shark tank! Â Shark tank? You mean you survived the sharks and managed not to drown as well! Seriously awesome report! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelizeIt Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 Clearly this amazing country has a lot to offer its visitors. I'm glad the Alveys decided to visit this far off destination. (The Alveys are of course known for that) Only at TPR can you see trip reports from Six Flags one week and Dubai the next! Â I never know what to expect when I log on to TPR, but I know I will always be entertained. These trip reports from around the globe are always unbelievable. Thanks for keeping us all engaged on your global activities! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmhuber Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 Too awesome!!! I always wanted to go to Dubai. If I get a job, and have about $5000 for a trip, I would go. Please economy get better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nosferatu Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 I realized now that staying five days in Dubai this summer, and not going to this water park was a mistake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolinacaniac Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 Robb, Â Were you and Elissa staying at Atlantis? I was under the impression that you had to be a guest of the hotel to go to their waterpark. Very nice waterpark indeed. I am sure that if any place here in the US decided to follow the lead of this place, they would become very popular and rated very well. The ability to go from slide to slide without ever leaving the water is great, but I would settle for most waterparks to add the covers over walkways, which alone would be a huge upgrade for any waterpark that could easily be done. The canopies for the beach chairs is a great touch too. Â -Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted February 13, 2011 Author Share Posted February 13, 2011 You don't have to stay at Atlantis to go to the water park. In Dubai, it's very easy. You walk through the hotel to the water park and they have ticket booths set up just like any other park. In the Bahamas it's a bit more difficult to get tickets, and it's very expensive, but you can totally go if you're not staying at the hotel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rollercoaster5000 Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 The Atlantis looks incredible. Funnily enough I actually know the owner of the Atlantis' (Sol Kerzner) grand nephew, he told me that he will take me there for free at some point . Â Great TR by the way . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krazekiddd Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 This whole trip looked awesome! I'd seriously consider a TPR Dubai trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRedShadow Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 GREAT trip report and pictures! If it wasn't for the terrorism risk and insane cost, I would TOTALLY go and study abroad there. Â How safe is the UAE; did you notice any crime or anything like that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MayTheGForceBeWithYou Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 ^Well, judging by how the country is trying to cater to tourists, I'm sure the government is really trying to keep visitors safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nitro4ever Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 Why dont they make waterparks like that in the US? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted February 13, 2011 Author Share Posted February 13, 2011 (edited) GREAT trip report and pictures! If it wasn't for the terrorism risk and insane cost, I would TOTALLY go and study abroad there. How safe is the UAE; did you notice any crime or anything like that? WTF are you talking about? There isn't any "terrorism risk" in the UAE. Well, not any more risk than in America, really. Seriously, you probably would be far more in danger at Wal-Mart on any Caesar Chavez Road anywhere in the USA.  And in average, going to the UAE is cheaper right now than going to either Europe or Japan.  --Robb Edited February 13, 2011 by robbalvey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mechanic Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 UAE terrorism risk: A local might roll their eyes at you if you're wearing shorts and a tee shirt. Oh, the horror! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
O Demon Avenger Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 I agree with you Rob, how could someone complain about that building. I was amazed with your pics and they are great. I was following the progress of that buildng from when it was only a concept on paper. The guy that made the commet, "it is only 16bucks taller than the sears tower observation deck"; evidently he has nothing else better to do, but fucking complain. Â Evidently, he does not know anything about the building and the technology it took to construct the building. He does not realize that if the sears tower was standing anywhere over in dubi, it would not withstand the winds and would fall to the ground. Â I just woke up and was looking at your post and then got to his stupid comment, which ruined the whole expierience for me. You should take comments like that and put them into "what the hell were you thinking" category. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPmillenia94 Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 Wow! I was blown away every time i have been to the Atlantis in the Bahamas; by their theming and aquariums that just seemed to show up everywhere, their beautiful architecture of their buildings, the hotel itself, the slides, and just the overall EXTREME quality that i have yet to find in any other resorts. That Atlantis resort looks just incredible though. The layout seems ingeniously efficient, while maintaining such beauty and simplicity. I'm going to have to get out there some day. The Atlantis resorts are just great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mightbeawannabe Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 I know this is a little late in the game to ask questions, but here goes: Â Elissa: was there ever a place that you were denied access to as a woman? Is the UAE that conservative? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MayTheGForceBeWithYou Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 ^Probably not. Abu Dhabi and Dubai are generally less conservative, seeing that they are becoming tourist destinations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teacups Make Me Sick Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 Robb & Elissa.....did you guys do the toboggan run or the other attractions at the ski center? Â Thanks, those other attractions are interesting (as well as the slope) to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.J. Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 (edited) So...can the UAE afford life insurance? Â What would happen if they made a Sky Jump off the Burj? I doubt Bert the Conquerer of his own ego would be able to do that. Edited February 14, 2011 by A.J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rastuso Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 Anybody catch the Dubai golf tournament? Plenty of shorts being worn. The crowd look similar to the Masters one. Â Again, you folks should realize that the UAE is NOT ruled by Muslim extremist like other Middle Eastern countries. It is ruled by rich dudes who enjoy their money. They build the tallest buildings, the fastest roller-coasters, and monorials that no one rides. All the Sultans you hear about flying porn stars and actresses over for sex are guys that live in the UAE. Â Saudi Arabia denies things to women, not the UAE. Maybe some small sections off the beaten path, but the tourist areas welcome anyone (well, I'm not sure about Jews, but I think they're even OK in the UAE). Â -RO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midgetman82 Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 The Dubai people are quite friendly, they don't pressure you into buying things when you go around their shops and they don't give you any faces for clearly being a tourist (you might spy one or two, but it's no big deal.). What would happen if they made a Sky Jump off the Burj? I doubt Bert the Conquerer of his own ego would be able to do that. In reality, not possible at all. There are different sections on the skyscraper that makes the building come outward the further down you go: If they did, then they would create the world's fastest controlled zip-line! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vfire Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 Congrats on the Dubai and UAE trip. I've lived in Dubai for three years so if you need any help planning for your TPR trip, just let me know. Â A few comments: Â Did you not see the water fountain show in front of the Burj Khalifa? It's one of the highlights of Dubai, and much better than the Bellagio IMO. It's in a self-contained area where you can eat dinner at any number of restaurants with a great view. They've also incorporated fire into some of the shows. Don't miss it on your next trip, it's spectacular. Â I agree that Aquaventure is a great water park (better than Wild Wadi, even WW has more rides). It's deluxe all the way with lush landscaping and amenities. Inside the shopping area of the Atlantis is a huge aquarium with many great restaurants. You can valet park for free at Atlantis if you eat at one of the restaurants. It's a good deal. One of the northern emriates, Ras Al Khaimah, has a new water park called Ice Land which opened last year. It looks pretty nice and might be worth a side trip, along with a cruise through the Strait of Hormuz in Oman's Musandam. It's kind of like the fjords of Norway, but hot! Â Did you see the aquarium inside the Dubai Mall? The huge flat panel display is pretty impressive, and there's a Candylicious store right across the screen. Eat some pizza at the Armani Cafe. Enjoy the choices at the Galleries Lafayette world cuisine stations. There's a lot of good food in that mall. Â In Abu Dhabi there will be some cool things that will be opening in a few years, but for theme park fans there's a "hidden" dark ride inside Khalifa Park that almost no one, including locals, knows about. It's a Peter Pan style hanging track ride that takes you past vignettes of Gulf history and an aquarium. It might be worth a small side trip since you'll be the only ones there and one of the few to have ridden it. Also in AD, you posted a pic of the Sheikh Zayed mosque, which is as grand as the Taj Mahal. I know TPR doesn't focus on cultural attractions, but that mosque is almost like a theme park attraction breaking many records for largest chandelier and carpet in the world. The entry room is a marble garden meant to evoke an Islamic vision of heaven as revealed in the Koran. The whole place is incredibly themed, and they will give you local clothes to enter. Seeing Rob and Elissa in a dishdasha, and abaya and headcover, would be worth the short one-hour excursion alone. Plus there's no entrance fee. Â As for tourist dress, the locals are actually pretty reasonable. Dubai is one the most liberal, then Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah is the most conservative. Sharjah almost went bankrupt in the 80's and had to take Saudi money to survive. If you take the House of Saud's money, then you have to play by their rules, hence the conservatism. But Dubai, which is a stone's throw away from Sharjah, is nothing like Sharjah. You can wear t-shirts anywhere in the UAE, even Sharjah. Just no plunging necklines for women. You can wear shorts that extend to your knees (no NBA style shorts from the 1970s tight era), though it's pretty much only western tourists who do so. I know in Dubai, there is no law on dress code except prohibiting nudity, so while you might get stares and a gentle admonition for a tank top, you won't get arrested either. In a nutshell, it's good to respect local cultures and customs, but you don't have to go overboard either and wear long sleeves in 100 degree heat. Â One things I'm surprised you didn't do is take a desert safari. They take you in a SUV and you race up, down and through sand dunes. It's like a roller coaster ride! Or you can rent a quad-bike and ride all through the sand and hills yourself. If you like roller coasters then you'll love that side trip. Â As for crime, the UAE is about as safe as it gets in the world. There's practically no chance of random crime happening to you here. Â Great trip report, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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