Park Update
parkworld-online.com BELOW: Midway games – new for 2013 BELOW RIGHT: A photo opportnity with a Ferrari California is one of the new secondary spend opportunities Yas Island
leisure hotspot When it opened in
October/November 2010, Ferrari World was the only attraction at Yas Island except for the Formula 1 Yas Marina Circuit, but since the start of this year it has been joined by Yas Waterworld. This multi-million water theme park has already been covered extensively in these pages. A Yas Park Pass allows a discount on combined entry to both parks. Whilst Yas Waterworld sits just across the road from FWAD – what would be walking distance anywhere else in the world – local temperatures are such that many visitors choose to catch the complimentary Yas Express or get a taxi between the two venues. No such transport will be necessary when the Yas Mall opens on 26 March. All three venues were developed by Aldar Properties,
Fashion and retail will feature together at Yas Mall as from March 2014
FERRARI WORLD W
This month marks the third anniversary of the opening of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi (FWAD). The huge facility notable for its Ferrari-branded red roof remains the largest indoor theme park in the world, and it’s still the place to go if you want to ride the world’s fastest rollercoaster. Over the past 12 months, however, a certain amount of fine tuning has been made to the offering inside. Owen Ralph took a tour of the park this summer to see the changes first hand.
”
e were looking to boost the impromptu action for guests to enjoy in-between rides,” explained recently departed park manager
Andy Keeling, whose duties have since been picked up by Mike Oswald, also GM of Yas Island Waterworld. So now, for the first time, Ferrari World visitors will find some tried and tested theme park elements like mascots and midway games.
Linked directly to FWAD
by an air-conditioned plaza, this new shopping centre will offer international brands including H&M, Nike and Zara in addition to Abu Dhabi’s largest cinema and the first FunWorks branded family entertainment centre. The latter will be operated by Dubai- based Landmark Entertainment, whereas Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld operate under the auspices of Farah Leisure Parks Management. With other recreational opportunities including a world- class golf course and hotel facilities and a regular programme of live concerts and events, steadily many of the pieces of the Yas Island jigsaw are coming together, as it moves closer to becoming the “leisure hotspot” envisaged by Aldar.
yasisland.ae
“Khalil (a camel mascot) comes from the UAE and we thought a character that captures the spirit of Maranello would be a good counterpoint,” explained Keeling. “That’s how Berto the Bear – and mechanic extraordinaire – came to life!” A new photo opportunity with a Ferrari California has been added as a direct response to requests from visitors who said the one thing that was missing from the park was the chance to have their picture taken inside a Ferrari. Meanwhile in the Paddock, a new hands-on Pit Stop challenge invites FWAD guests to change a wheel on a Formula 1 car against the clock. RED: A Theatrical Spectacular of Speed and Passion debuted last winter in a 700-seat theatre at the back of the park. According to Keeling, the show is a great way of bringing families together during their day at the park and the event space established for its use is flexible enough to serve other purposes down the line. Formula Rossa, the park’s record-breaking 240km/h launch coaster, remains Ferrari World’s most headline- grabbing attraction, joined by other major rides
including the duelling coaster Fiorana GT Challenge, Viaggio in Italia flight simulator and the dark rides Speed of Magic, Made in Maranello and Racing Legends. Due to reopen any day now is the G- Force tower ride that blasts riders out through the centre of the FWAD building.
The newest ride, however, is Tyre Pit Stop challenge
Twist, a custom-themed tea cup style attraction from Mack Rides with five-seater tyres as spinning gondolas. The ride replaces the race-themed carousel that previously stood near the centre of the park.
After being closed for the first few years of its life on Mondays, FWAD adopted a seven day operating calendar on 30 September. Two major new attractions are promised before the end of the year and we are reminded that whilst the available space beneath the building’s roof is “just” 100,000 square metres, a total area of metres (45 hectares) is available for development inside and outside.
ferrariworldabudhabi.com BELOW: New park mascots Khalil and Berto the Bear BELOW RIGHT: Tyre Twist (by Mack)
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3 YEARS
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