When I was a little girl, I was a book-worm of sorts. I used to read dozens of fairy tales, fictional story and even believed in the magical presence of Angels, Unicorns and Mermaids. Between the pages of my book, I would get drown in the depth of my imagination and swim like a mermaid, ride on the unicorn and fly on my magic carpet, over the oceans , high up in the sky. Thanks to the creative imagination of mine, there was never a dull moment and never a lack of faith in me and hence I created magic for me and for my loved ones and I still do.
But now I am a mother and I am so blessed that we live in Dubai. This place has an address for everything fabulous. A week back, I walked out of the Cheesecake Factory at the Dubai mall and saw this kiosk right in front of the gigantic glass of the Dubai Aquarium. It said that now the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo has welcomed a special group of enchanting guests to The Mermaid Reef, to meet and greet a gorgeous mermaid and it even offers a magical transformation area where your little girls can become mermaid within minutes, all complete with makeup, accessories and mermaid outfits.
I jumped with joy, literally. I recently told my little one a self-made story featuring Ariel- the mermaid and here was an opportunity for her to experience the magical world of the Mermaids of Arabia.
So this Friday, we took our 2.5 years old cutie for her first magical experience. We paid AED 240 for transformation + meet and greet with the mermaid. Typically, 1 parent can accompany the child who is going to participate in the transformation, and the rest of the adults are allowed if they have bought the tickets to the Dubai Aquarium.My daughter was so excited right from the moment we entered the Dubai Mall. She just couldn’t stop grinning. We were taken inside the magical reef of the mermaid through a separate line/entrance.
Once there, we were greeted by Josephine Adams, who very sweetly greeted my little one too and took her to the makeup table. She was very kind and sweet and explained to us the whole experience and what to expect. She asked my daughter to pick a mermaid outfit of her choice, and my daughter screamed “ Pink”. They had a baby mermaid outfit for young toddlers in pink so, my daughter was ecstatic already.
Next we were introduced to the Sea-Fairy, who would do the make-up for my daughter to transform her into a Mermaid. She was very cute herself, great bedside manners and my daughter easily took to her. My little one sat patiently , chatting with her in between as they did the makeup and hair for her. There was also a lady photographer who was taking candid shots of my daughter’s entertaining journey into this mermaid transformation.
We were allowed and even encouraged to take as many pictures we want from our own camera. My husband was so excited to see his little princess act all diva and I even got a glimpse of a little misty-eye-emotional dad moment. Mermaids of Arabia “ wowed” us for sure.
After the makeup, they took my little one inside the changing room and brought her out in their arms all dressed up as a mermaid. I won’t lie but I got overwhelmed. My daughter looked like a mermaid I imagined when I was 4 or 5 years old. It was like my dreams were coming true through her.
They had a beautiful set with oyster, props, cushions and flowers that served as a great photo shoot material. My daughter pout, and posed like a veteran model. Now I really think, she is born with something shiny, sparkly and magical.
After the photoshoot, they took my little one to the “ Meet & Greet “ with the Mermaid. The lady who was dressed as a mermaid there was stunning, gorgeous and so kind. Her voice was pleasing to the ears and her words were out of Fairy Tale books. She really mesmerized us adults too. She was almost really a mermaid. A part played well.My daughter enjoyed her moment with and as a mermaid. She gave the “Mermaid Aunty”, a hug and a kiss and the mermaid gave her a beautiful star-fish bracelet as a present.
Once we came out, we were asked to go to the Level Zoo to collect the pictures. I bought 30 soft copies for AED 150, which will be delivered to my inbox in 48 hours. At the time of writing this review, I have not received them so, that’s a bummer.
Overall, I quite liked the concept, the customer service and the quality of service. My only suggestion though, is that, I wish the Mermaid Lady was seated at a more magical den away from Fire Extinguisher, Door entry and Fuse board. It kind of took the magic away from otherwise stunning set and props.
If you are visiting Dubai or if you live in Dubai and have daughters, I highly recommend that you experience this entertaining transformation and meet and greet. It’s different , it’s magical and it’s a memory you will cherish for a long- long time!
In addition to the transformation and the Meet & Greet, The Mermaids of Arabia are swimming into Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo . World-acclaimed underwater mermaid performance artist, Hannah Fraser; and Marina Kazankova, a world record holder and champion free diver; from Mermaids of Arabia, can also be seen in the main aquarium tank for special underwater performances at 4pm, 6pm, and 8pm each Thursday, Friday and Saturday until May 13, 2017.
To book, visit Dubai Aquarium or call 04 448 5200 for more information or click here for more information .
What: The Mermaid Reef at Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
Time: Weekends – 11:00am to 10:00pm; weekday Mermaid meet-and-greet – 12noon to 8:00pm; weekday Mermaid Makeovers – 11:00am to 9:00pm
Price: Mermaid meet-and-greet – AED 140 per person, including a photo opportunity; Mermaid Makeover Experience – AED 200 per person, including a 45-minute makeover, souvenir hair accessory and photo opportunity. Both experiences include Researcher access to Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo.
Venue: Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai
The magical experience came to an end, but the magic remained. It’s been 2 days and my little one still talks about it.
Hope you liked my review and I hope you found another great place to have fun with your kids, this summer. Do comment of what reviews you would like to see on my page and I will try to make that happen for you. Click here to read my reviews and do check out my instagram for the videos of Mermaids of Arabia
Till Then,
Believe in mermaids,
& create your own magic..
M
[…] to the other Mermaids there. You can read my review of this place in the Megz Review section here. Mermaids of Arabia presents a unique entertainment concept that invites families to enter a world […]
Aww beautiful Mermaids 🙂 Like mother, like daughter 🙂
Must have been a truly magical experience for the little one!
Yup. She still talks about it!
What a great experience for your little one to cherish. She’s an adorable and beautiful little mermaid
Thank you.
Awe she looks so cute. She must have been on cloud 9!
She was indeed on cloud no 9
Aww, this is so adorable! What little girl wouldn’t love to do this?!
True. I wanted it too 😋
This is ADORABLE and so so cool! What a great experience for the little one!
Yes. It truly is
Oh my gosh… that is so cute and cool at the same time! Looks like a very fun photo shoot.
Yup. Videos on my insta
this is so cool, what a little girls dream!
This looks amazing! My nieces would love this. We have the Denver Aquarium here where you get to meet the mernaids and take puctures with them but there is no make-up extravaganza or mermaid fin wearing. Looks like your little girl loved every bit of it!
What a unique and fun experience!
Oh my goodness, what a totally fantastic experience! My daughter would doing something like this!
Your daughter is so beautiful!! This had to have been such a cool experience for her. I’m not even going to lie…I kind of want one of those mermaid tails for myself!
Aww Thanks. Me too
Mermaids are the best!!
Oh my goodness, she looks SO cute dressed up as a mermaid! Aw! Great post – fun idea for children!
Thanks
This looks like so much fun! I crochet mermaid tail blankets, but this seems like the real deal!
How nice! Yes, this was a well planned, we’ll executed experience.
Dear Meghna, thanks for sharing your experience. Your little one is as cute as a real mermaid could be. I must say that reading your blog is like watching a movie, one can see what you write. I liked this idea to transform your little daughter in to a beautiful Mermaid, a good experience for child as well as for affectionate parents.
Thanks again for sharing
Thanks a lot. Means so much to me!
I used to stay in dubai. But now I live in Oman. After reading ur review I really want to take my daughter too to have the magical experience. Lovely review. Thank u for the info 🙂
Aww.. Drive down one of the weekends. You will love it! Thanks for the sweet comment
Sounds like every little girl’s dream come true!
It is. Isn’t it?