You walk into Dubai Mall expecting a latte and maybe some light retail therapy. Suddenly you’re scanning QR codes, picking dance tracks, and stepping into rooms that glow, reflect, and quadruple you.
Welcome to House of Hype, where your mall visit takes an unexpected detour into a digital playground.
Tickets are AED 149, priced reasonably imo considering the size and variety. It’s brought to you by the same creators behind AYA Universe. This one leans more kinetic and gamified. Add extra for snacks and a few arcade-style games that cost extra.
Getting there? If you’re driving, aim for the China Town parking for the shortest walk to the entrance. But here's a pro tip: Zabeel parking is your golden ticket. It's free unlike the main Dubai Mall parking, which starts charging after 4 hours.
Once you buy your ticket, make sure to actually listen to the instructions. You’ll need to scan it and link up with the Parx app, which is how you earn hypercoins, unlock missions, and get all your auto-generated content sent straight to your phone like a digital souvenir factory. Skip this step, and you’ll spend half your visit wondering why things aren’t lighting up for you. Two minutes. That’s all it takes. Do it.
Now, for the fun stuff. What’s inside? I won’t give too much away (where’s the fun in that?). The rooms are a full-on sensory trip. Let’s just say it kicks off with a space full of moving digital pieces: flowers, game icons, trippy shapes… basically, like stepping into a high-res screensaver from the future.
From there, you’ll wander through neon cities, mirror rooms with chandeliers, interactive digital graffiti walls, oversized monster mouths, and spaces that glow, reflect, and shimmer with unapologetic drama.
If you've been to AYA Universe at Wafi, a few setups might trigger déjà vu but this one turns the volume up.
Tips for maximum Hype: Don’t just breeze through. Linger. Press buttons. Wave at things. Stare long enough to see if something starts moving. Some rooms have hidden QR codes, interactive screens, or light effects that only kick in when you actually engage. The more curious you are, the better the payoff.
And while you can go solo, it’s definitely more fun with a +1 to snap your shots (and return the favor) because some of these rooms deserve more than just a blurry selfie.
Pro tip: Don’t go in hungry. Seriously. Grab a bite before you enter, so you're not trying to survive on adrenaline and digital confetti.
A fun highlight? Echo Park. You pick your track, assemble a team of backup dancers, and then step into a green-screen room solo to bust out a fully choreographed routine. It’s all filmed and sent straight to your phone. Your pop star fantasy, minus the audience pressure.
There are six food stalls, and they’re so stylized, you’ll pause to ask yourself if they’re part of the set or actually selling food. Spotted Harajuju by Reif Kushiyaki. There’s also a souvenir shop if your hypercoins (or actual coins) are burning a hole in your pocket.
Final verdict: House of Hype is a nicely-executed mashup of fun, flair, and future-forward play so yes, worth the hype! Equal parts playground and IG content factory, it’s immersive, vibrant, and made for making fun memories especially when the summer heat calls for indoor thrills.
For more info, visit www.house-of-hype.com.