Abu Dhabi or Dubai with small kids for a stopover?

[steveward]

Managed to book the family 2 adults and 2 kids to Rome on Cathay using QFF points for next June. No availability showing anywhere near return dates - despite being Platinum and supposedly with priority. Anyways, I'm resigned to buying a 1-way home, from either Rome or Milan on either Emirates or Etihad probably since they have good value 1-way fares (unlike Cathay). Was thinking to break the journey in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. Any one with experience of stopping in either with small kids that could help me choose - and identify places to stay or things to do...? Thanks in advance, Steve

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

Was thinking to break the journey in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. Any one with experience of stopping in either with small kids that could help me choose - and identify places to stay or things to do...? Thanks in advance, Steve

Categorically Dubai. Abu Dhabi is, well, a bit dull. That said, its only an hour (less if you have our driver) from one to the other anyway. Be aware it may be quite warm, mid to upper thirties, so some activities may be uncomfortable for kids.

 

[steveward]

Thats what I was thinking - but not based on any experience. Thanks for confirming. Any other ideas on family friendly stays or plays are welcome... Steve

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

Thats what I was thinking - but not based on any experience. Thanks for confirming. Any other ideas on family friendly stays or plays are welcome... Steve

Sorry, I don't have family so not much insight into family friendly activities. Things I like doing in the Emirates are dune driving (but that's more Sharjah direction), ice skating, eating really good Indian food and seeing silly Bollywood films with homesick Indians.

How long do you plan on having to fill? All the Emiraty airlines are keen on encouraging stopovers, and I am sure will be able to provide some sightseeing.

Edit: and going to preposterous hotels and shopping malls

 

[steveward]

would just be 2 days - enough to stop kids going feral on the final leg. thanks a lot...

 

[docjames]

I'd suggest just find a hotel with decent pool facility, and take them one day to the mall with the ski slope for something unusual. A Souk would also be a novel experience for kids who live in australia.

You can also get around to most of the major "touristy" things by the new train (have a look online) but taxis are cheap anyway.

Dubai would be my preference with kids, unless you find an awesome hotel in AUH that meets your needs, or it's insanely cheaper via AUH. Oneway taxi AUH --> DXB was about $85 when I was last there.

Also consider calling QF and asking them to release some seats for you on QF metal via LHR if you are WP as they sometimes are able to do this. Note also often there's seats that dont show online (esp CX) so it's always worth a call. Also consider flying out of an alternate port (if not already done) - a short EU flight or inter-city by train (another experience for the kids) wouldnt be that difficult.

 

[steveward]

thanks for that suggestion. i did call and they DID find CX flights from Milan that would have worked on 14 and 16 Jul. I said I would call back in 5 to confirm the dates with my wife - call back, get someone else and they say there are NO FF seats on those dates with CX. WTF?!! I may try again later to see if the 3rd person has gone back to the helpful answer! again thanks

 

[Stephen65]

Easily Dubai. This isn't even remotely close.

Things that kids (depending on age) may find fun to do:

- wild wadi waterpark

- gold market area

- old city/museum/fort

- going driving over sand dunes

- drive to east coast over the mountains

- watch camel racing

- go to the beach

- go to the top of the Burj al-Arab

 

[steveward]

Thanks very much for all these suggestions. Not trusting what the 2nd QF platinum person said I called back again last night and *surprise* what I was told on the first call - that there ARE indeed flights on the dates we want from Milan via HKG on CX. So I took em. So Dubai etc will have to wait... now our complication is a long daytime stopover (7am to 10pm) in HKG (CX didn't allow us a proper stopover on award flight). So I will be looking for suggestions for that. Im assuming they might allow the family into arrivals lounge since I'm platinum = and our backs will be checked through even although its a long layover? Any suggestion on Hong Kong day with kids?!! Thanks to docjames - we wouldn't have got these flights without your suggestion to call - saved us $4k. Steve

 

[Isochronous]

Ngong Ping 360 is near the airport and would be well worth it. A trip into Central to get the famous tram to The Peak is another idea.

 

[straitman]

Any suggestion on Hong Kong day with kids?!!
Steve

One word.
Disneyland.

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

One word.
Disneyland.

Yep, Disneyland is no. 1 for kids. On the logistics, Cathay are extremely protective of the arrivals lounge and I think it is the Platinum holder only ie no guests. I am sure someone will confirm (I rarely use it).

If you can't pull off Disneyland for various reasons, then head into Central on the train. Have dim sum at Maxims (not brilliant food, but just vast with interesting views), take a ride across the harbour and maybe take in the Space Museum, then back to Central and take the funicular up to the Peak and look at the views. If you have time, slot in a ting ting trolleybus from the Star Ferry terminal. All great fun and pretty inexpensive.

 

[steveward]

thanks for all these suggestions. will look at Disneyland. also welcome anyone with experience of the arrivals lounge. and simply chances of being allowed a shower... for chrissakes...!

 

[straitman]

thanks for all these suggestions. will look at Disneyland. also welcome anyone with experience of the arrivals lounge. and simply chances of being allowed a shower... for chrissakes...!

You can get to Disneyland easily using the MTR. Airport to Tsing Yi, change trains then to Disneyland resorts. It is only a couple of stations. See MRT System Map.

 

[steveward]

How do folks rate my chances of getting into the CX Arrivals Lounge at HK with the family (4 of us)? Got the Platinum card but flying in on economy award flights (for which I thank this forum!). Steve