Mattel Play! Town was an indoor educational play area, located in City Walk, Dubai. Featuring HIT Entertainment characters, which are owned by the multinational toy manufacturing and entertainment company Mattel, the attraction spanned across three floors as it welcomed visitors daily. Targeted for children between the ages of two to ten, it featured devoted play areas to five of Mattel's brands: Barney, Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam, Thomas & Friends and Angelina Ballerina.
The news of the attraction was first announced in February 2016. This attraction was created in response to the rising pre-teen population in the region. It opened on April 11, 2016 City Walk, Dubai’s urban living destination by Meraas. It was the second Mattel Play! attraction to open after Mattel Play! Liverpool, which opened a month earlier.
It was the only Mattel Play! attraction where children and families could meet Barney the Dinosaur alongside his friends Baby Bop and BJ daily.
The attraction faced "temporary" closure in mid-March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic; in 2023, that closure became permanent, and the location was remodeled into a generic daycare amusement center.
History[]
Origins[]
Within the region of Dubai, the pre-teen population doubled within the previous decade, outpacing the population growth by sixty-six percent. Meraas, a Dubai-based holding company, recognized a need and decided to provide the region a child-friendly and safe entertainment facility, which became Mattel Play! Town.[7] Announced in February 2016, the attraction was announced to open in the first quarter of the year.[8]
Construction[]
ISG was awarded a high-profile contract by Meraas Leisure & Entertainment to fit out a 50,000 sq ft children's entertainment facility at City Walk, an outdoor retail complex located in Dubai.[4] Sim Leisure Gulf Contracting provided all the attractions and thematic elements for the Mattel themed edutainment center.[9] Outside the attraction, guests are greeted by a Barney statue that was constructed.
Launch[]
Jean Marc Bled (left) and Julie Freeland (right) with Barney.
Mattel Play! Town was open on April 11, 2016. Jean Marc Bled, general manager, Leisure and Entertainment at Meraas, and Julie Freeland, senior director, Global Live Events and Attractions at Mattel, officially launched the facility in the presence of members of the media.[10] Construction was completed by August 2016[11] while the entirety of the attraction was completed in 2017.[4]
Closure[]
The attraction faced "temporary" closure from March 15-20, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic as a mandate was issued from the Department of Economic Development. The attraction was going to reopen, but for unknown reasons, the closure became permanent; the attraction was remodeled into a generic daycare amusement center.
Attractions[]
Sign displaying where the Barney area is located.
Entrance to Barney area at Mattel Play! Town.
Zones[]
Mattel Play! Town features devoted play areas to five of Mattel's brands: Barney, Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam, Thomas & Friends and Angelina Ballerina. The zones are meant to reinforce positive values through creative and imaginative play.
Barney[]
Located on (what's displayed as) the second floor (which can also be considered the third floor), the area dedicated to Barney, is themed similarly to The Park setting from seasons seven to fourteen of Barney & Friends. This is the only zone area on its respective floor. Guests first enter within the "outdoor" area. Specifics featured in the "outdoor" area include The Idea Bench, the shed, the gazebo, the playground, a bridge going over two screens where one can resemble a pond full of fish and a sky filled with balloons (among other things) and the other can be a digital sports board of soccer or basketball, and a giant piano that one can play with their feet (which is similar to the one featured in the episode "Play Piano With Me!" and the home video The Best of Barney), which all allows for children to play and explore. Specifics featured in the "indoor" area (or the Caboose) include the library, a digital drawing board (not in the series) under the railroad times, a ball pit, and various toys children can play with.
Outside the walls of the Barney area is a Barney fountain, which is similar to the fountain that was displayed at the attraction of A Day in the Park with Barney.
Indoors[]
Outdoors[]
Tiny Racers[]
Announced in December 2019, Mattel Play! Town implemented a new attraction called Tiny Racers. The interactive single seat racing cars are covered in pictures of the Mattel characters that are featured at the facility, including Barney, BJ and Baby Bop. Tiny Racers was open daily and included in admission.
Events[]
Information box featuring Baby Bop that was on the Mattel Play! Town website.
Barney[]
- April 5, 2019: The launch of ‘Picnic with Barney & friends’ occurs in the caboose at 9:30AM and 11AM featuring Barney, BJ and Baby Bop where guests can enjoy a picnic experience with them.[12]
- October 4 & 11, 2019: Barney’s Animal Adventure occurs with a special animal-themed picnic in the caboose from 9.30AM to 11AM, where children will be able to get creative with a range of animal related arts and crafts, plus indulge in a nutritious and tasty picnic breakfast. Surrounded by Barney, BJ and Baby Bop, children got to experience the regions first immersive and educational picnic experience, whilst learning about the importance of animal awareness through a range of interactive and fun learnings. The two-day event was to raise awareness about World Animal Day.[13]
- October 24, 2019: Barney’s All Day Brunch is announced to occur every Friday & Saturday which includes an unlimited buffet at Mattel Play! Town.[14]
- February 23-March 26, 2020: Every Monday from 3-6PM, kids could join Barney for afternoon tea and explore the playground for only AED 50 per child, whilst adults join for free![15]
Birthdays[]
Families were able to choose from a range of party packages for their children to experience. All offers included a party host, food, decorated party room, invitations and access to all the zones. The platinum package offered an exclusive fifteen-minute appearance by one of the Mattel characters, including Barney, BJ and or Baby Bop.
Performances[]
Various live shows featuring Barney, BJ and Baby Bop have performed at Mattel Play! Town on various schedules. Shows performed include Barney's World of Imagination (which was performed every Saturday and Sunday at both noon and 4:30PM at one point), Barney's Purple Park Tour, Barney's Beach Party,[16] Let's Dance with Barney and Friends and during Christmas, Barney's Christmas Sing Along Show was performed.
Gallery[]
Barney[]
Videos[]
References[]
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