As promised to you earlier in the week, here are the photos from The Dubai Mall. I went back today to check out Waitrose and some other shops I didn’t manage to have a look at in depth when I was there with the french gang. I like wondering around with my soundproof headset, DVNO by Justice blasting through the twitters !! Great feeling. So as already mentioned, this place is huge. There’s, in fact, more walking than shopping. I would totally avoid the place with under 3 year old toddlers or over 75 as you wouldn’t go too far. It would also mean a far more enjoyable session for the rest of the crowd, as we’d not bump or walk over anyone as it happened to me on a few occasions already. Keep elderly and underage shoppers at bay. Leave them in the car at the Valet Parking !!!
It opened at the same time as Barack (I call him by his first name because we’re friends) was elected. On November 4th. Since then it looks like it’s been a huge success with visitors. Yes visitors, cause, there’s not much to buy as half the shops are still closed and items tend to be much more expensive than anywhere else. By the time each and every shop opens it will be heaven on earth for most crew here. From waitrose, to the organic food outlets, to the restaurants, to the cinemas, and finally to the top of the range designer outlets, you’ll have everything in one single place. It’s a surprise also to see that every single french designer is represented there too. With the likes of Jean-Paul Gaultier, Hermes, Cartier, and so on. Even french food is largely present. From french bread artist Kaiser to chocolatier and traiteur Lenotre is there to please your appetite.
It clearly looks like they’ve been dishing out the cash to surpass any other mall on Earth. From ceilings with stars, aquariums with sharks, to illuminated catwalks in the middle of the alleys to giant mobile LED screens. They have everything to have you look anywhere but the shop windows. They even have a Fashion Carpark !!!! How sick is that !?? They also have an olympic size Ice Ring. At the time I was there, they had very very young hockey players doing a match. It was entertaining because the kids couldn’t stay up on their blades. It was the funniest thing to watch. All geared up in their Hockey outfits !! The only problem with Dubai’s Olympic size Ice Ring is that they only have a mere 50 seats. Weird.
I was there this Friday afternoon. And obviously I didn’t take into account that Friday here is like your regular Saturday in the western part of the world. And therefore, uber-busy. The first I saw as I walked up to the mall was the taxi rank. Blimey it was long. Extremely long the part you see on the photo below is only half of what is was. By the time I left at around 6pm, the queue was even longer. I say it was a rough 2 hour wait to get in a cab. Worse than Deira City Center. It also seemed like not a single taxi dared to pick up anyone at the rank either. Leaving the shoppers stranded for long hours there.
Now, the food court. Nothing too special about it. It’s very small compared to the one Mall Of Emirates. But, and this will make J-rad happy, the Taco Bell is open and by the looks of things, it’s mouth watering. People were kind of excited as they waited in the queue. Funny sight. On the other hand, the McDonalds there is shite ! You’d rather get your sandwich from Waitrose as they have some healthier options in their Delicatessen counter for a reasonable price.
The good thing about The Dubai Mall opening is that it’s just going to suck every visitors from all the malls around, especially Mall Of The Emirates. Thus letting us less crazy shoppers more space to relax and a less crowded carrefour.
Things to avoid at The Dubai Mall :
- Taxis. Get there in your own car if you can stand the wait to get onto the grounds or else go there by foot and park your car elsewhere.
- Bring your own food if you plan on eating there or go to Waitrose and get your nice sandwich.
- Leave your kids behind. We really want a peaceful shopping session and not having screaming little devils running around with their wheeled sneakers.
- Do not buy your kids those hidious shoes with wheels underneath. All it does is fustrate you and others.
- Leave Granny at home. She does not deserve a 10 mile walk in the afternoon. You need fit people to shop at The Dubai Mall.
- Avoid loosing your kids or your friends in there. You’ll have major difficulties finding each other without a mobile phone each.
Well I think that sums it all pretty neatly. If you have photos of the place you’d like to add to the gallery, then send them to sodwee (at) gmail.com (you know what to do there). It will be much appreciated. And of course all your comments are truly gold ! Keep on commenting ! Khalas. I’m off to iron and eat my deliciously looking Chicken Wraps I just got !
Peace out !
This is a WPSimpleViewerGallery
I haven’t been able to open your page for a while. Such a shame as it appears I have missed a few posts.
I will be catching up