I have not been to a waterpark for a number of years; a trip to Yas Waterworld has brought me back to my youth.
At my age, I have become a little scared of some theme rides and of heights, but at Yas Waterworld, with over 40 rides, slides or attractions, there is something for everyone and for all ages. I did, however, get a little daring with the Bandit Bomber, the Middle East’s longest-suspended, high-speed rollercoaster. This ride gives you an excellent view of the park (if you manage to keep your eyes open) and guests can shoot water at you with water pistols on the ground. The various water slides around the park also provide different thrill levels. The Slither Slides offer six varieties from fairly mild with just a few bumps to extreme fast moving and with lots of twists and turns. Sebong provides those with a competitive side, the opportunity to race the stopwatch against their friends or family on a six-lane ride. Another ride for a group of family or friends to enjoy together is the six-seater Falcon Filaj with its twists, turns, rapids and drops. Then for those seeking an adrenaline rush, you have Liwas Loop, a straight down drop in a tube; Jebel Drop, the park’s steepest waterslide, also with a straight down drop; or Bubbles Barrel, where you can put your surfing skills to the test. The Lazy River and the Wave pool are perfect for the mild and meek. For the very young, there is Tot’s Playground. Yas Waterworld is inspired by the UAE’s rich heritage of pearl diving through its unique story of ‘The Legend of the Lost Pearl’. Everything is themed around Dana and her friends who sought out to find the pearl that was taken from her village. I still haven’t mentioned all you can do, as there is so much, but do try the Cinesplash 5D theatre that not only tells the story of Dana and her quest to find the pearl, but puts you right into the action with moving seats, waterfalls and the cinema that even fills up with water up to your knees! There is of course, plenty of food and beverage outlets and let’s not forget shops for your souvenirs, sunscreen, hats and even mobile phone waterproof cases to take your live action photos. Yas Waterworld is just one of the attractions on Yas Island. Why not suggest your clients take a Yas Island pass so they can visit Ferrari World, home to one of the fastest roller coasters in the world; Warner Brothers, Yas Island’s newest indoor attraction where you can mingle with your favourite character. For those golf enthusiasts, you have Yas Links Abu Dhabi. Yas Island offers three- to five-star accommodation just minutes away from attractions, shopping, golf courses and the Formula One circuit. Yas Hotel Abu Dhabi is connected to Yas Circuit so during F1, you can see the action from your room, or the other events and activities that the circuit run throughout the year. The 499 guest rooms and suites are undergoing a transformation and will soon be rebranded into a luxury W Hotel. There is little disruption during this process, and you can still expect the Marriott service. The rooms are large and provide all the luxury amenities, which include deluxe bedding (the famous Marriott bed), complimentary wi-fi, flat-screen TVs, floor-to-ceiling windows offering spectacular views of the racetrack or marina. There is a wide choice of dining options. For your fitness and wellness, Yas Hotel has both a spa and fitness centre. The fitness centre provides a workout with a view out to the marina. There are two outdoor pools and for families, a kid’s zone. So, if you are looking for options for your local or international clients, I recommend Yas Island and all that they can experience.