4 Tips to Maximize Your First Visit to Dubai Mall
From the world’s tallest building to the world’s deepest pool, Dubai simply doesn’t do things halfheartedly. While we can’t confirm that the Dubai Mall is factually the world’s largest mall, it’s undoubtedly one of the world’s biggest and best shopping malls.
If you’ve yet to visit the Dubai Mall and are planning on doing so soon, here are 5 handy tips to make the most out of your Dubai Mall experience.
Check yourself to a nearby hotel
As mentioned, Dubai Mall is huge and properly exploring it may take a day or two. As such, it’s highly recommended that you choose a nearby hotel where travel time is the shortest.
Dusit Thani Dubai is one hotel you can consider due to its close proximity to the Dubai Mall. Travel time to the Dubai Mall from the hotel takes about 4 to 8 minutes drive. Another recommended option is the Paramount Hotel Dubai which is located a 4 to 9-minute drive from the Dubai Mall. Depending on the availability, paid shuttle services may be available on most days.
There are of course other hotels within the immediate vicinity of the Dubai Mall that you can choose to base your stay on. You can easily find accommodation that best suits your budget and needs by consulting reputable travel portals such as Wego.
Download the Dubai Mall app
There’s of course nothing wrong with an impromptu or unplanned visit to the mall. However, as mentioned, the Dubai Mall covers an extensive area so it’s best to have a battle plan of some sort for the day of your visit.
For example, if you’re visiting the mall for fashion-related purposes, then your best bet is to head straight for the so-called Fashion Avenue along the southern edge of the Dubai Mall. Over 70 stores are available there spread across the ground and the first floor.
If you’re looking for the latest high-tech gadgets, you’ll have no luck in finding them on the ground or 1st floor as the electronics hub is located on the second floor.
You can easily organize your visit and determine the location of any stores that piqued your interest by downloading the Dubai Mall app available for android and ios. What’s more, the app also allows you to access the latest news, store discounts, real-time parking information, a map of the mall and so much more.
Save money on attractions
Some of the world’s best attractions are housed here in the Dubai Mall. Some of the more popular attractions are the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, the Dubai Ice Rink, the Burj Khalifa observation deck, and a list of amusement parks including Kidzania, Sega Republic and more.
Admittedly, the admission fees of these attractions aren’t exactly cheap. However, there are ways of saving money on Dubai Mall attractions by purchasing your tickets in advance (online) and searching for multiple ticket deals.
Some of the most common deals include the Dubai Mall Attraction Pass for access to the Aquarium, KidZania and VR Park. Other deals include a combo pass for the Dubai Aquarium and the Burj Khalifa is also quite popular and easy to obtain. International tourists typically opt to visit the Dubai Mall and make their way to the Burj Khalifa’s observation deck located just next door.
Obtaining passes or combo tickets is a surefire way of saving money since they’re sigificanlty cheaper than purchasing each ticket individually. Plus, they will also make your visit more time-efficient.
Save money on shopping
For some serious bargains and discounts, we recommend timing your Dubai Mall visit to coincide with the internationally renowned Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF); a month-long shopping bonanza running from December to January.
The DSF attracts millions of tourists every year with a fair share of them visiting the Dubai Mall. For the 2021 iteration, some of the participating retailers were observed offering up to 70 percent discounts in categories including fashion, kid’s wear, and food.
Daily raffles are also being held with prizes ranging from cars to gold and other items. You can qualify for the DSF raffles by simply shopping at the Dubai Mall and obtaining a receipt amounting to or greater than AED 500.
Events such as fireworks displays will also be held in the vicinity of the Dubai Mall, making your trip all the more memorable.
Other useful tips
Your visit to the Dubai Mall will most likely be a hassle-free one, provided you adhere to the following:
- no pets allowed
- strictly no smoking is not allowed.
Additionally, it’s useful for first-timers to the Dubai mall to keep in mind the following:
- the Dubai mall is accessible to people with reduced mobility
- information points, changing rooms, charging stations, and ATMs are widely available
- the Dubai Mall offers a free luggage storage service to allow for a more comfortable shopping experience
- item delivery services to your hotel are also available
