On June 12, 1997, the UAE marked a major milestone in its tourism development with the inauguration of Dreamland Aqua Park in Umm Al Quwain. Opened by the late Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed Al Mualla, the Dh95 million project was designed to boost the national economy in line with the vision of the UAE’s Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The grand opening was a spectacular affair, featuring a dazzling fireworks display and a tour of the park’s pioneering attractions, including the Lazy River, the high-speed Kamikaze, and the crowd-favorite Multislide.

The debut was celebrated with a week-long extravaganza that cost an estimated Dh6 million, drawing thousands of visitors despite the intense summer heat. The event was a star-studded affair, with legendary Bollywood figures like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Chunky Pandey in attendance, alongside a live concert featuring popular Indian playback singers. Spanning 250,000 square meters and designed by Spain’s Action Park, the venue was a record-breaking marvel at the time. While the UAE now boasts many modern water parks, Dreamland remains a cherished landmark that continues to offer fun-filled experiences nearly three decades later.