Play DXB VR Park at The Dubai Mall

Play DXB at The Dubai Mall is a virtual and augmented reality theme park on Level 2 of the mall in Downtown Dubai, with around 18 rides and experiences spread over two levels and more than 7,000 square metres. The Pay & Play pass sold on Platinumlist lets one person try the line-up on the same day, from a VR free fall off the Burj Khalifa to horror rooms and sports challenges.

Play DXB Dubai Mall: from VR Park to Play DXB

If the name is new to you, the place may not be. The park opened as VR Park Dubai and was renamed Play DXB in 2022. Its operator, Emaar, describes it as a first-of-its-kind attraction for the Middle East, and a second Play DXB opened at Dubai Hills Mall in November 2022. This pass is for the original park at The Dubai Mall, so check the location when you book.

Inside, the park is bright and loud, with screens, lights and sound effects at every turn. Experiences fall into three broad moods: horror for visitors who like to be scared, leisure rides at a calmer pace, and sports-themed challenges that turn a visit into a competition between friends.

Rides worth knowing about

Burj Drop

The park’s signature ride recreates a plunge from the top of the Burj Khalifa, right next door to the mall. It is a VR free-fall experience built around one big moment, and the ride the park is best known for.

Dubai Drone

Dubai Drone puts you in the pilot’s seat for a flight over a futuristic skyline. It gives an aerial view without the free fall, so it makes a gentler counterpart to Burj Drop.

John Wick Chronicles

John Wick Chronicles, named on the ticket listing, is a story-driven action experience in virtual reality. It suits fans of fast-paced games who want more than a single thrill.

The Raft

The Raft adds movement and a sense of adventure to the line-up, and is another of the rides named on the ticket listing.

How the Pay & Play pass works

The pass is valid for one person on the same day only, and each ride can be used once per visit. That means planning matters: decide which experiences your group cares about most, start with those, then use the rest of your time on whatever looks good on the day. You are issued a Digital Gate Card when you arrive, and the listing asks visitors to arrive ten minutes before their scheduled time to collect it.

The pass does not cover transport, meals and drinks, arcade games, or any retail or food purchases inside the park. Bring a valid ID or passport and keep it with you throughout the visit.

Opening hours and age rules

According to the listing, Play DXB opens daily at 10am and stays open until 11pm from Sunday to Thursday, and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Those late hours make it easy to add to an evening at the mall, after dinner or a day of shopping.

Every ride has its own age, height and weight restrictions. The listing mentions 120 cm as a threshold, but the wording is unclear, so check requirements for specific rides with the operator if you are bringing younger children. Children must be accompanied by an adult or guardian, and the operator may refuse entry to unaccompanied children. No dress code is stated, though closed shoes and comfortable clothes are practical for VR headsets and motion rides.

Getting there and who it suits

Play DXB is on Level 2 of The Dubai Mall in Downtown Dubai. By Metro, get off at Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station on the Red Line and follow the air-conditioned walkway into the mall. By car, use The Dubai Mall parking.

The park suits gamers and tech fans, groups of teenagers and friends who want to compete, and families with older children who meet the ride rules. It is also one of the more active indoor plans in Downtown when you want something other than shopping.

For more ideas, browse our guide to attractions in Dubai, family plans on kids’ activities in Dubai, and what else is on at things to do in Dubai and things to do in November.