As a returning customer of Kidzania, Kidzania AbuDhabi was a disappointment. (Keep in mind, it has yet to completely open, therefore my review may be biased on that).
In comparison to Kidzania Dubai, this AbuDhabi branch is very second class. It is only 1 floor, with barely any facilities open and/ or actively running. Most games were always on '30 minute breaks' constantly. Ex: the 'Rezycle' was only active for about one session and was on a '30 minute break for town cleanup', for the rest of the day...??
{The Kidzania bank was open, however was unstaffed the whole day... Some kids even entered the Lacnor Juice Facility unstaffed, and were messing with all the equipment}
The activities aren't as innovative and exciting as the one's in Dubai. (Very basic and severely mediocre). Ex: The kids wanted to try out the Football Stadium, however were literally turned away as managing staff told us, in quote, 'they will only do jumps, they won't do anything'...??
Staff are also yet to be trained in activities as they were constantly signs on particular games that read 'Staff training'.
Usually spend the whole day, yet it only took a few hours to play all games, which again, are low grade compared to Dubai branch. The job search activity only had surveying for customer satisfaction, and window wiping?
(The modeling activity, radio station, wall climbing, bank (and many other activities) which according to reviews was open, was closed for the whole day because of 'private shoot', or 'working on more flavors').
There doesn't seem to be any ongoing construction to expand the area other than adnoc, and a seemingly shut down unit of pizza hut.
Food offered inside the facility is overly exaggerated and overwhelmingly overpriced. The only food partners offered were Pizza Hut, Krispy Kreme, Gelato, and Mum Mum. Kids don't have the opportunity to work in the food places (in fact, there was no cooking activity at all), Mcdonalds in Dubai branch was the cherry on top for our usual visits; we were very disappointed.
Pizza hut's menu is unbelievably limited. Menu is small (four slice) pepperoni or margarita pizza for 30 dirhams... that's it!! Crazy expensive and un-filling at all, however was the only choice available. Not to mention that the pizza is pre-cooked, and handed over from the food storage cabinet clearly visible behind the counter. Krispy Kreme was 8 dhs per donut, and Gelato, 20 dhs for a small cup... again, unbelievable.
Most staff were a lot nicer than any other branch I have ever visited. (Recommend to visit the CSI, Police, and Space Station for nicest staff your child could ever possibly meet). However the staff facilitating the Baby Nursery, Pawz express and especially the Salon and Barber (the intern), and Dentistry activity were very rude, arrogant and/ or unprofessional. The staff member managing the Pawz express (filipino male) was asking very personal questions and unnecessary comments while trying to find personal answers from the children (whom of course will say anything and everything).
The staff in robotics was incredibly nice, however didn't seem to have full control over the activity as many things was not working as they should be.
Moreover activities seemed quite boring (not all, but most) to the kids, as they were only following basic instructions of pressing the button, wearing the uniform... etc; kids aren't really learning something they didn't know before (which is supposedly the purpose of Kidzania).
Would I come again?... maybe after a year or two. (For now, i'm sticking with Dubai Branch). Place tends to get crowded, so coming early is always better. Currently, there's nothing you can't do at home with the activities being facilitated, especially with a price as high as given (with most...
   Read moreKidzania exceeded my expectations! It was a very productive place for both parents and children since the activities highlights the concept of hard work. The role-playing gives idea to children on how to spend hard earned money. I personally commend that they are not encouraging children to just buy toys at the "department store" but rather consider spending their "money" in enhancing their skills through training and further education such as the aviation training with real simulator.
All the activities are well-thought! We particularly like the firefighter activity. They did not just rode the firetruck around "town" and extinguished fire with real water and smoke effect but also made sure to really train the kids before letting them go. We also like the hospital activity which the kids were trained with babies and also had a briefing on what paramedics actually do. It was also notable that they included housekeeping, merchandisers, delivery, and window cleaning jobs because although these are not high-paying jobs, these professions are decent and this will encourage the kids to be more respectful to people in these industries when they meet them in real life. These are small things that for sure will be able to help children be more equipped when they face challenges in similar situations, and thus, they will surely remember a thing or 2 from what that they learned from their experiences in Kidzania.
All of the staff were very encouraging and well-trained. They are very patient with kids most especially Ms. Jean, she was very energetic with the kids at the fashion and dancing studio. You can see that the kids are really having fun. I also commend Mr. Joseph which explained the concept to guests before entering the place. I forgot to ask the name of the firefighter expert (I think it was Mr. Jamal) he was so pleasant and engaging with the kids all throughout the fire activity.
I hope they can expand more and include other professions that will really help kids to explore on different real jobs. The price is worth it too, for all the learnings and experiences the children can have while playing the whole day. Experiential learning is at its best most especially when it is thru play for children! A...
   Read moreKidZania Abu Dhabi is an indoor theme park that offers children a unique opportunity to experience real-life jobs in a fun and interactive way. The park is located in Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi and is designed to cater to children aged 4-16 years.
Upon entering the park, children are given a boarding pass and a set of KidZos, the park's currency. They can then choose from a range of activities, such as being a firefighter, doctor, chef, or even a pilot. Each activity is designed to simulate a real-life job, with children performing tasks and learning new skills along the way.
One of the key features of KidZania Abu Dhabi is its attention to detail. Each activity is designed to replicate a real-life work environment, with children wearing uniforms and using equipment that is appropriate for the job. The park also has a range of props and sets, such as a hospital ward or a fire station, to enhance the experience.
The park is staffed by trained professionals who guide children through each activity and provide them with feedback and encouragement. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, making the experience both fun and educational.
KidZania Abu Dhabi is also a safe and secure environment for children. The park has a strict code of conduct that all visitors must adhere to, ensuring that everyone is respectful and considerate of others. The park also has a range of safety features, such as CCTV cameras and trained first aiders, to ensure that children are safe at all times.
One of the most impressive aspects of KidZania Abu Dhabi is its educational value. The park is designed to teach children about the world of work and to help them develop important life skills, such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Children are encouraged to take on challenges, work together, and learn from their mistakes, all while having fun.
Overall, KidZania Abu Dhabi is a fantastic destination for families with children. The park offers a unique and engaging experience that is both fun and educational. With its attention to detail, friendly staff, and focus on safety, KidZania Abu Dhabi is a great place for children to learn, play,...
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