Merlin Entertainments has revealed detailed plans for Legoland Dubai, which will become the seventh Legoland when it opens in 2016 as part of an AED10bn (US$2.7bn, €2.1bn, £1.7bn) mega resort complex.

Being developed in conjunction with Dubai Parks & Resorts and Meraas holding, Jebel Ali park will house the 68.8 acre (278,000sq m) Legoland park, which will feature more than 15,000 Lego model structures.

40 interactive rides, shows and attractions will be included in the park’s six areas; Lego City, Adventure, Lego Kingdom, Create, Lego Factory, and the magical Miniland.

"Dubai is the most important tourist centre in the Middle East and we believe that it is the ideal place for Legoland,” said Merlin CEO Nick Varney. “Not only is the Lego concept already very popular here, but Legoland’s unique appeal for families with younger children is universal, making it a must do visit not just for ‘local’ visitors from Dubai and neighbouring Middle Eastern states; but also tourists visiting the region from all over the world."

Raed Al Nuaimi, Dubai Parks & Resorts CEO, added: “We are excited to have one of the world’s leading global leisure operators join hands with us to enhance the entertainment and leisure offerings in Dubai and the wider region. We are confident that Legoland Dubai will add incredible value to the overall family entertainment experience at Dubai Parks & Resorts.”

In addition to Legoland Dubai, the first phase of Dubai Parks & Resorts will also comprise Motiongate Dubai and Bollywood Parks Dubai as part of the mega resort. Set for completion in 2016, The first phase will also include Riverpark, a grand entrance plaza and a family-themed hotel.

The project, backed by Dubai ruler Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is part of plans to bring 20 million visitors to Dubai on an annual basis by 2020, the year the city will host the 2020 World Expo.

Varney and the Merlin team were the subject of an in-depth and exclusive profile in the Q1 edition of Attractions Managment entitled How to build a $6bn company. To read the piece, click here.