Snow Penguins at Ski Dubai
Snow Penguins at Ski Dubai
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
667 reviews
Excellent
379
Very good
155
Average
72
Poor
28
Terrible
33
Safari24406314651
London, UK1 contribution
Feb 2023 • Family
Very nice experience. The penguins were very cute. The service and staff knowledge/education/information was very good. The penguins seem happy and well looked after
I would have given 5 stars but you can’t take your camera in which is understandable but the pictures to buy are extortionate above the cost of the tickets. But then again, it’s Dubai and nothing is cheap.
I would have given 5 stars but you can’t take your camera in which is understandable but the pictures to buy are extortionate above the cost of the tickets. But then again, it’s Dubai and nothing is cheap.
Written February 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mr H
3 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
The whole thing screams tourist trap. From the beginning where we were pretty much ignored by one of the staff as we waited outside the briefing room to the end where the staff at the photo sale attempted to scam us by charging 150 aed for a photo (more on that later).
So we enterered the briefing late, as we were given no guidance and to say we received a warm welcome would be a lie.
We watched the video and were take by our 'guide' to meet the penguins. We were warned to not use our phones, as the guide scanned the environment (something I would liken to the terminator searching for John Conner in a crowded place).
Anyway onto the experience, where an enthusiastic member of staff introduced the penguins. We then had to witness on several times a little boy with an uncontrolling and uncompliant mother interact with the penguins in a way which provoked stress. In my opinion, the welfare of these animals should be paramount and if anyone behaves in a way that causes distress (intentional or unintentional) they should be asked to leave. But this child and his foolish mother were allowed to continue and the behaviours exhibited were hard to see.
We then visited the other attractions, which were fun enough, the bobsleigh and slide were quite good.
Now having been told we were not allowed our phones, I expected the pricing of the photos to be on the lower end of the scale. However when viewing our photos and being told the price of these were 150 dirhams, I laughed as I thought the cashier was joking. I'm sorry, I'm not some frail old lady! I literally looked around for a hidden camera capturing the scam for the purposes of entertainment, but no this was for real.
I'm no expert, but a simple business model whereby which people do not feel they are being ripped off from the inside out, will sell more photos.
So we enterered the briefing late, as we were given no guidance and to say we received a warm welcome would be a lie.
We watched the video and were take by our 'guide' to meet the penguins. We were warned to not use our phones, as the guide scanned the environment (something I would liken to the terminator searching for John Conner in a crowded place).
Anyway onto the experience, where an enthusiastic member of staff introduced the penguins. We then had to witness on several times a little boy with an uncontrolling and uncompliant mother interact with the penguins in a way which provoked stress. In my opinion, the welfare of these animals should be paramount and if anyone behaves in a way that causes distress (intentional or unintentional) they should be asked to leave. But this child and his foolish mother were allowed to continue and the behaviours exhibited were hard to see.
We then visited the other attractions, which were fun enough, the bobsleigh and slide were quite good.
Now having been told we were not allowed our phones, I expected the pricing of the photos to be on the lower end of the scale. However when viewing our photos and being told the price of these were 150 dirhams, I laughed as I thought the cashier was joking. I'm sorry, I'm not some frail old lady! I literally looked around for a hidden camera capturing the scam for the purposes of entertainment, but no this was for real.
I'm no expert, but a simple business model whereby which people do not feel they are being ripped off from the inside out, will sell more photos.
Written July 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jerca O
1 contribution
Mar 2022 • Friends
Honestly this was the best experience out of everything we saw and did in Dubai, including Expo, Burj, The Mall. I mean EVERYTHING. It is a bit pricey, especially if you want to buy the photo later or more of them (you can’t take your own photos in there with the penguins). But if you love animals, this is definitely an experience you can’t miss. It was 15/10! Maybe just make sure to book the tour a few days before you plan on going (especially if you plan on visiting on a weekend) because it is usually fully booked and we did get very lucky to even get in buying the ticket there.
Written March 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
cestlavie-mum
United Kingdom18 contributions
Feb 2022 • Family
This is a must do whilst in Dubai. To get up so close to the penguins and learn more about them was brilliant. The animals were so so cute and well behaved.
Written February 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Stuart W
1 contribution
Feb 2022 • Couples
Absolute nonsense, penguins kept in a tiny enclosure. You’re made to watch a 10 minute video where a “doctor” makes claims as to scientific justification of the tiny enclosure.
You then “meet” the penguin, this consists of a quick photo with penguin. Individually. Most of the time is spent waiting watching others have their picture done. Only official photographer is allowed to take pics and anyone with a phone is repeatedly aggressively told not to take any of their own pictures.
After photo with the penguin the “experience” is over. And you are ushered out, where they try to sell you awful quality pictures of your 30 seconds beside a penguin for an additional fee.
You then “meet” the penguin, this consists of a quick photo with penguin. Individually. Most of the time is spent waiting watching others have their picture done. Only official photographer is allowed to take pics and anyone with a phone is repeatedly aggressively told not to take any of their own pictures.
After photo with the penguin the “experience” is over. And you are ushered out, where they try to sell you awful quality pictures of your 30 seconds beside a penguin for an additional fee.
Written February 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kayshla O
Rincón, Puerto Rico18 contributions
Jun 2021
This was the best experience ever. 100% recommended. Amazing, magical, no words to describe the experience. Is one of the most do in Dubai.
Written October 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lucero G
3 contributions
Jun 2021 • Friends
Amazing place!!! You will get a lot of fun, you can touch penguins and also learn little bit about they
Written June 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
W.H
Dubai, United Arab Emirates6 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
Yesterday we had an exclusive package with penguins! IT WAS JUST AMAZING. The staff took care of us immediately. We felt welcomed and cared for all the time. We had the time of our lives being around penguins (like really next to them and holding them). Special thanks to Eugene our trainer, he was externally knowledgeable and friendly to us and penguins. In addition to this we also thank Belinda the lady at the photo booth, and also the blonde lady trainer who was taking care of penguin Shela, she was friendly and amazing.
We will go again for sure.
This place and this package is MUST DO.
The place is really caring for penguins and they have treated very well and with love and respect, the staff respected what penguins wants and never forced them to do anything they didn’t want to do.
Thank you again for everything.
We will go again for sure.
This place and this package is MUST DO.
The place is really caring for penguins and they have treated very well and with love and respect, the staff respected what penguins wants and never forced them to do anything they didn’t want to do.
Thank you again for everything.
Written July 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Emily L
Dubai, United Arab Emirates43 contributions
Nov 2019
What you need to know:
♡ Ski Dubai provide snow clothes, socks, boots and gloves (not water resistant). I would recommend to bring warm under layers and a hat, it’s cold in there! -8C
♡ The encounter last about 15/20 min, and you are part of a small group. You get up close to Gentoo penguins - they are super cute, energetic little creatures. Then you get directed to another area where you get to meet and pet two King Penguins, the second largest species of penguins.
♡ The staff is friendly and knowledgeable sharing some fun facts about the aquatic birds.
♡ The penguins looked really well taken care off. The staff seemed really caring and attentive.
♡ The work of the team behind the attraction helps develop knowledge and education about the specie and the programme drives research on a global scale. While I absolutely enjoyed the experience, I also had to bring up the issue of animal in captivity and human interaction with wild animal to my children. It’s a touchy subject and it raises ethical questions. The first part of the experience include watching a video explaining that the “attraction” has been created with behaviourist and conservationists specials. They are actually part of a conservation breeding programme.
♡ No camera allowed but the photographer is great, making sure to capture some cool family shots. It’s an extra cost, so for the price of the attraction, I think a photo should be included as part of the package.
♡ It’s pricey, so make sure to look for special deals.
♡ Ski Dubai provide snow clothes, socks, boots and gloves (not water resistant). I would recommend to bring warm under layers and a hat, it’s cold in there! -8C
♡ The encounter last about 15/20 min, and you are part of a small group. You get up close to Gentoo penguins - they are super cute, energetic little creatures. Then you get directed to another area where you get to meet and pet two King Penguins, the second largest species of penguins.
♡ The staff is friendly and knowledgeable sharing some fun facts about the aquatic birds.
♡ The penguins looked really well taken care off. The staff seemed really caring and attentive.
♡ The work of the team behind the attraction helps develop knowledge and education about the specie and the programme drives research on a global scale. While I absolutely enjoyed the experience, I also had to bring up the issue of animal in captivity and human interaction with wild animal to my children. It’s a touchy subject and it raises ethical questions. The first part of the experience include watching a video explaining that the “attraction” has been created with behaviourist and conservationists specials. They are actually part of a conservation breeding programme.
♡ No camera allowed but the photographer is great, making sure to capture some cool family shots. It’s an extra cost, so for the price of the attraction, I think a photo should be included as part of the package.
♡ It’s pricey, so make sure to look for special deals.
Written February 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Moe
6 contributions
Nov 2019 • Family
This was a very memorable experience for myself and my daughter. The whole setup of ski Dubai makes it more realistic. It’s very cold but but it’s awesome. You’ll get great images of ice sculptures etc. We got to touch the penguins and takes pictures as also. You will love it.
Written December 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sophia
22 contributions
Just wondering if anyone knows how strict they are re the age limit- my little girl will turn 2 a few weeks after our trip but I really wanted to do the breakfast and walk with penguins. Do they check the passport for age or take your word for it?!
nogsy
Sydney, Australia47 contributions
Do you get to touch the penguins in the basic Peng-friend Encounter?
simsidtours2014
Lagos, Nigeria2,166 contributions
I don't think so
scotlandsno1gal
Port Glasgow, UK179 contributions
CN you take photos of penguins during the march of penguins. I know it says you can’t in encounter
Ellissa S
Sydney, Australia37 contributions
Hi! I was able to take photos whilst inside the shopping centre. They turned out pretty good. Just get there early enough to get a good spot!!
I won a prize to go into the encounter and you definitely can't take photos inside there (but you can buy really nice professional shots)
scotlandsno1gal
Port Glasgow, UK179 contributions
I hate walking on snow is this safe to walk about on or slippy. I want to see the penguins as love penguins
scotlandsno1gal
Port Glasgow, UK179 contributions
I hate walking on snow is this safe to walk about on or slippy. I want to see the penguins as love penguins
Stephanie R
London, UK316 contributions
It’s just like normal snow lol it can b slippery but they give u boots to wear
Simona H
Sofia, Bulgaria6 contributions
Hello Becky, could you tell me how much photos cost?
10x :)
Ellissa S
Sydney, Australia37 contributions
Hi it was expensive- worked out about $70 for 2 photos (australian dollars) but i wanted to have a special souvenir so i paid it. I think you can buy one for about $55 (australian)
Stephen83
Durham5 contributions
Can you just see the penguins if you go along to the snow centre rather than the close up encounter?
anil1967
Panchkula, India246 contributions
The Penguins are visible from time to time and infact they have show timings also which can be confirmed from the counter itself
Sommermaedchen22
Germany11 contributions
Wird der „Vortrag“ nur in englisch erzählt oder gibt es auch eine Art Übersetzung z.B. Kopfhörer?
Was kosten denn Bilder mit den Pinguinen?
Andy236
Chemnitz, Germany1,999 contributions
Hi - ich kann dir beide Fragen leider nicht beantworten, da wir Ski Dubai nur aus der Mall betrachtet haben.
Ein Übersetzungsprogramm wird es wahrscheinlich nicht geben. Es wird überall englisch gesprochen. Für ein ausgedrucktes Bild werden wohl 100AED verlangt (22€). Es gibt auch die Möglichkeit für mehr Geld (560AED) alle Bilder auf einem USB Stick mitzunehmen.
VG André
workhplayh
Boston195 contributions
When you see just the two penguins, did they let you touch and play with them?
deepakjk
Tinsukia, India97 contributions
Yes you can touch them, the care taker will guide when to touch them.
Snow Penguins at Ski Dubai - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Snow Penguins at Ski Dubai
- Hotels near Snow Penguins at Ski Dubai:
- (0.13 mi) Grand Plaza Moevenpick Media City
- (0.20 mi) Zabeel House The Greens
- (0.25 mi) Staybridge Suites Dubai Internet City
- (0.40 mi) TIME Oak Hotel & Suites
- (0.50 mi) Citadines Metro Central Dubai
- Restaurants near Snow Penguins at Ski Dubai:
- (0.00 mi) Chili's
- (0.00 mi) The Toy Store Cafe
- (0.00 mi) The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
- (0.00 mi) La Piazza
- (0.00 mi) Mongolian Barbecue Restaurant