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IT’S a family affair at the Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park in more ways than one as the innovative minds behind the successful attraction continue to set about catering for all-comers, writes Stan Szecowka.
The management cleverly introduced women’s only sessions, ‘manned’ completely by female staff, shortly after opening and they proved so successful other theme parks across the region quickly jumped on the bandwagon and copied the concept.
And now, they’ve come up with another solution to satisfy an important section of the community … the family.
During the hot summer and more welcoming autumn months the water attraction at Al Areen becomes a magnet for young men to let off steam and enjoy the thrills and spills of the awesome rides, wave pool and its sandy beach.
But they can be a pain in the butt for ladies, particularly swimwear-clad Westerners unsettled by unwanted stares and boorish behaviour, and it’s not fun for small children either who can feel intimidated by the exuberant attitude of some older youths.
The answer was simple, a special session for families with VIP treatment at the point of entry and a watery playground that can match anything on offer across the globe.
The exclusive ‘family only sessions’ start each Saturday from 8am and remain strictly family only until 11am. “Due to the fact that our weekends are jam-packed by guests, especially by bachelors, there has been a big request for families to have their time as well,” explained Cristina Fulgencio, senior public relations and marketing manager.
It works a treat. When the Szecowka party arrived we started to queue and were immediately spotted as a ‘family group’ and shepherded to the front by members of staff as hordes of young men waited to buy entry tickets and for the doors to open to the general public after the exclusive family-only period was concluded.
It’s been a number of years since we last visited this attraction together as a group (the children have enjoyed days out on school trips and birthday parties in between) and the site has matured nicely although the skeleton of the planned hotel in the background appears to have changed little.
Developed by the Al Areen Holding Company, Bahrain’s $50 million Lost Paradise of Dilmun opened in September 2007. The water park covers an overall area of around 77,000 square metres and with a built-up area of 45,000sq/m it has plenty of free space for future expansion and car parking.
The park can accommodate 5,000 guests at any time. Each aspect of it has been based on the history of the Dilmun period, reflected by around 500 unique stone sculptures and architecture that encompasses the theme.
It features 18 ‘rides’, a selection of slides, pools, fountains and other attractions. The family ride, for example, in which four can plunge down at speed, is one of the most thrilling experiences ever, although my children’s favourite remains a ride that looks like a flushing loo and was too scary for me to try.
I much preferred the wave pool, particularly when the cool DJ pumped up the volume and got everyone waving and stomping to the beats.
The African Acrobats also put on a sensational show and the beach foam machine was a huge hit with the young and young-at-heart.
Families can stay on until 8pm alongside the general admission droves and if you like your privacy it might be worth splashing out on a private cabana, a cool roped off tented construction which can be hired at various prices around the site.
I always like to put theme parks to the ‘price of a bottle of water’ test and at 500 fils there will be no moaning from me. I felt ripped off at one attraction back in the UK which demanded the equivalent of more than BD2.500 for the same item.
We count our blessings to be in Bahrain. And family fun can be enjoyed by all … even if it means the lads have to wait their turn.
* Entry is normally BD16 for guests over 1.2 metres in height and BD7 for those smaller. There are group packages too. Check out the online shop by visiting www.lostparadisebahrain.com for discounted tickets and Splashdown Family Pass deals. Call 17845100 for more details.
