LEGO has expanded its empire into the Dubai desert with the opening of its latest theme park – and my five-year-old son could not be happier about it.
Like most children, little Arthur loves Lego, playing outside in the sunshine and a water park. So when the chance comes to escape the UK winter for Dubai to immerse ourselves in all three – at once – there's no turning it down.
The world's newest Legoland has recently opened within a huge development about a 30-minute drive from downtown Dubai, and is attempting to corner the market for young children – two to 12-year-olds specifically – in a city already boasting more than its fair share of theme and water parks.
In true Dubai fashion, it has cherry-picked all the best rides and attractions from the other Legolands around the world.
This means your visit can combine Legoland Windsor's fantastic Submarine Adventure with its up-close views of stingrays and sharks – which in our opinion is the best child's ride anywhere, ever – with Legoland Florida's speciality Granny's Apple Fries, which taste even better than they sound.
There are five zones – Adventure, Imagination, Miniland, Kingdoms and City – within a compact layout that makes the entire park very doable within a single day.
But the wow factor is its incredible Miniland housed within a giant air-conditioned dome.
I'm walking a few steps behind Arthur as the glass doors slide open and he sets eyes on it for the first time. He shouts in amazement as towering, illuminated replicas of the Middle East's most recognisable buildings and landmarks stretch out before him – made with a combined total of 20 million Lego bricks.
Even by Dubai's standards it's an extraordinary sight. Arthur happily spends a full hour running back and forth alongside a replica of the city's train system as it weaves around skyscrapers; he's amazed by the attention to detail.
We could stay here all day but I insist we head outside to make the most of the longed-for 25C temperatures.
We make a beeline for the "big boys" Driving School where Arthur is measured up and hears the joyous news that he is finally tall enough to go for his licence. We listen carefully to the safety briefing. Admittedly, I'm a little concerned that this experience could either go very well or very badly, but happily the little drivers put their parents to shame with their courtesy, helped by the odd toot of their mini horns.
The cost of his licence is an exorbitant 100 dirhams – around £25 – and I baulk at the price, but Arthur's face lights up when he finally receives it, complete with his photo, and it's a great memento of Legoland Dubai.
He's never happier than when he's using bricks to build his own creations, so we set off to find the Build & Test site in the Imagination zone, where children – and plenty of parents – are building their own Lego racing cars and sending them speeding down a track.
Again, we could spend hours here, and nearly do – breaking away only to grab some of those apple fries with a huge dollop of sweet cream, just to give us enough energy for the short stroll back to the hotel.
We head off the next day for the Legoland Water Park, which is part of the main park, but has its own entrance and entry fee.
The weather is making headlines for being overcast rather than the usual "guaranteed" sunshine – although it's still beautifully warm – but we are stunned to find we have the park entirely to ourselves.
We probably ride the slides 30 times – at a conservative count. I keep telling Arthur to remember this day and that he will never again have an entire water park entirely to himself, but he is too busy charging around to pay any attention.
Eventually he needs a rest, so we seek out an area where he can build his own Lego ships and send them into a water race at the pull of a lever. It's the equivalent of pooh sticks, Lego style, and obviously the best fun a young child can have – as well as being perfectly positioned to allow parents to watch their charges while eating lunch in peace.
On our final day, we meet up with Legoland master builder Muhammad Zahid, who has a surprise special treat in store for us. He helps us make mini figures of ourselves – surprisingly tricky – and leads us back into Miniland where he places them at the main doors of the Burj Khalifa. Arthur can't believe it – especially when we are told they'll be staying there forever.
If you visit the park, check us out. We're pretty lifelike – except for the pink rah-rah skirt I'm wearing. Oh – and the yellow faces. In real life, ours have the start of a tan and Arthur is was wearing a huge smile.
TRAVEL FACTS
:: Josie Clarke was a guest of Emirates (www.emirates.com) who operates 126 non-stop flights per week to Dubai from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Newcastle. Economy return flights from London Gatwick to Dubai cost £599.
:: A one-day ticket for Legoland costs £50; combined tickets with the water park costs £90. Visit www.legoland.com/dubai
:: Hotel & Theme Park packages can be booked via www.lapitadubaihotel.com or www.dubaiparksandresorts.com
