Alternative destination to Dubai for May, good weather, water park and things to do

[Frankie789]

As the title says, due to go to Dubai in May with two children under 5. Was going for the reliable hot weather and the hotel for all inclusive and access to pools, water parks and theme parks.

we can cancel this week and just loose the deposit which I think given the situation makes more sense but where can I look at as an alternative - maybe not the weather but for a good warm pool and some slides.

Dont fancy the canary islands or Spain. Want to avoid Turkey and Cyprus

Nothing wrong with Spain but if someone wants hot weather Spain ain’t it in May. Avarage in Spain at this time a year would be probably 25? Dubai will be over 30 and guaranteed sun, no overcast.

I mean… swapping Atlantis water park for magic pirates near Alicante 😬🫣 we are comparing apples with pears here

Canaries?

Portugal, Spain, Italy would all be warm enough to swim in the sea in May (and I’m a wimp so it must be warm) and in a time of uncertainty safe options. The Caribbean is warm but obviously far further, Mexico is warm but do your research really carefully, there’s security issues in some places. We are heading north ourselves, heat we won’t have but it’s interesting, no flights needed as overlanding and it’s pretty secure

We went to Sicily in October half term for a city break, would absolutely go back so this is a good shout and maybe one to do a hybrid of pool / sun and cultural things.

@WhyamIinahandcartandwherearewegoing would prefer not too, have been quite a bit over the last 4 years however in the winter but found the water cold and children didn’t manage long. Would look at going if the price was right.

The water in Dubai in May is like a bath and spent all day in it, such an easy holiday!

Greek islands

Caribbean

In that case you could also consider Malta - similar weather but better chance of water parks being open in May. Interesting sightseeing too

Siam park.

I went to Dubai as a kid and it was rubbish, so boring. The waterpark was cool but other than that the place is really dull for kids, there’s not much there at all, little to do and the culture is manufactured.

Spain is good for kids, loads of play parks everywhere due to eating late outside, lots of culture and good food. I actually enjoyed Cyprus and Egypt as a kid but they’re not appropriate now either.

Offbeat suggestion - Billund in Denmark - stay in the Lalandia resort which has aqua park and visit Legoland

Tenerife has a great water park and nice hotels and is far easier to get to!

https://siampark.net/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21516882398&gbraid=0AAAAA9x8K1ogzZqAn0YkzcdWM-kYGezUT

We went to Portugal in May and it was freezing in the water. Too cold for beaches.
I would look for somewhere further south.

I have no other ideas as we are doing Turkey again this year (which is on your no list), after unexpectedly loving it when we went last year. We have never really done the 100% beach style holidays before, and didn't think it would be for us. But we went as a "let's try it once" type trip.

I was going to suggest Lalandia or Tenerife for Siam Park. But under 5s don't need anything huge in the way of theme parks, they'll be too small for a lot of it.

If you go to Billund, as well as the water park, the bit they'll probably like best will be the Lego play area at the airport on the way back.

To be fair to Dubai, it's expanded hugely even in the last 10/20 years. There will be many things that simply weren't there when you went.

I was watching this earlier:

Florida?

I’ve not gone to Dubai for culture, I went for reliable weather, a nice flight out and some good water and theme parks for young children and a good all inclusive where the food is actually nice and diverse.
@GreenLemonade I’ll look at Malta, have been before scuba diving but not with the children so it’s an option.

@tattoolondon - Also an option and maybe a European Center parcs.

I just don’t fancy Spain with a cold pool and temperamental weather

Florida, but if you want all inclusive then Tenerife

I second Florida. It has everything you want for kids.

Lots of hotels in Turkey have water parks.

Ooooh I looked at this. Is it good?

Yes this may be true. I just remember the beach being very beautiful, and the rest of it just being a fake nightmare. I hated the whole rest of it, it was all just so…dull. Except for the wadi waterpark, that was really cool. I have never been back due to the UAE attitude towards slavery, homosexuality, women etc, so maybe it has changed to be much better now in terms of interest and my view is outdated!

The human rights issue is the reason which Is Im sure you are aware of but hey who cares about abused women and modern slavery we got a fab holiday. Don't pretend not to understand.

Florida?