Abu Dhabi developer Aldar Properties is all set to open Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi, UAE’s first mega waterpark featuring 43 exciting rides, slides, and attractions spread over 15 hectares, on January 24.

When Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi was first conceived, the developers were directed to build “the best waterpark in the world”, a tall order given that there are close to 2,000 waterparks around the world (over 1,000 in North America alone), said a statement from Aldar.

But Aldar and the operator, Farah Leisure Parks Management have brought the vision to life and the mega waterpark experience will create a splash party like never before, it added.  

Even before those gates were opened, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi had walked away with the World Waterpark Association’s inaugural Leading Edge Award for “demonstrating [industry] leadership and innovation through its storyline, park and ride design, theming and attention to every detail”, an incredibly promisingpre-opening accolade to herald the launch of the global entertainment landmark, expected to beone of the most popular leisure attractions in the Middle East.

Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi is set on 15 hectares at the centre of Yas Island’s exciting entertainment complexand features 43 rides, slides and attractions set in a legendary world that evokes Abu Dhabi’s history and heritage through an original story-theme – “The Legend of the Lost Pearl”.  

Visitors follow the original story of ‘Dana’, a young Emirati girl, on a quest for the legendary pearl that had once brought prosperity to her village. The fun story is brought to life throughout the waterpark in many ways, from the colourful characters that greet visitors on their entry to the rides, slides and attractions themselves that that are all iconic extensions of the story characters and their personalities.

Even the restaurants at the Park, such as Dana’s Diner and Chubby’s Kitchen, celebrate the legend through their story-based themes.

“The visitor is transported to another world the second he enters the waterpark,” explained Mike Oswald, the park general manager. “The panoramic layout of the park that greets you as you pass through the traditional souq, the authentic architectural structures such as the Marah Fortress and Bandit Fortress that bring to life the spirit of exotic Arabia, the diversity of the rides – the entire effect is unlike anything currently available in a waterpark in this part of the world. Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi is a truly world-class entertainment attraction brought to life in a uniquely Emirati way.”

The Park’s two interactive attractions – Pearl Masters and Hairat Yas take the guests a step further, making them a part of the action.

The unique Pearl Masters adventure is the very first treasure-hunt style interactive adventure game to make an appearance in a waterpark. The game allows prospective Pearl Masters to go on quests in search of lost treasures, interact with magical sea creatures, fire water cannons, solve ancient puzzles, and more.

There are nearly 70 uniquely themed Quest Items dotted around the park that form a part of the PearlMasters route. More than half of these are large-scale sculptures, such as treasure chests, giant oysters, or magical sea creatures that stand alone as works of art and have built-in surprise elements, which are revealed to players who successfully decipher the clues.

“The Pearl Masters adventure is a first for a waterpark anywhere in the world and is one of our star attractions. With new clues to decipher, increasingly challenging levels and exciting surprises in store each time the game is played, Pearl Masters feeds visitors’ competitive spirit in a really fun way,” said Oswald.

Hairat Yas – is where a live interactive pearl diving show allows guests to learn more about an occupation that forms an integral part of the UAE’s history.

Divers head underwater for up to 2 minutes at a time with no oxygen tanks to gather a handful of oysters for the guests to choose from. Guests then watch the entire process of having the oyster opened, the pearl revealed and cleaned and finally have it set into a customized piece of jewelry that they can purchase as a one-of-a-kind souvenir.

The Emirati adventure continues with the Park’s exciting series of rides and slides – including Falcon’s Falaj which descends from the top of a giant falcon’s nest; Hamlool’s Humps and Jebel Drop – both extreme body slides that plunge through rock crags; and Liwa Loop – the only looping waterslide in the Middle East with a retractable platform that drops out from beneath your feet to unleash high octane thrills.

Speeding over all the excitement, guests on the Bandit Bomber – a 550-metre interactive suspended coaster–shoot jets of water at targets, drop water bombs and trigger special effects while coasting under waterfalls and through rock crags all around the waterpark, offering many reasons to ride it over and over again.

Those seeking to prolong the adrenaline high can take a spin on Slither’s Slides – a series of six different slides where they encounter Slither and his serpent friends through themed interactive sculptures that spray water, LED light effects and 3D videos displayed on sheets of thin water in a thrilling rattler water-tunnel ride offering 30 distinct experiences.

Young kids also have plenty to keep themselves entertained at the Marah Fortress – a huge interactive children’s play fortress with two large dumping buckets, and Yehal – the infant pool and tot’s playground, in addition to the other family-friendly rides and attractions at the park such as Dawwama – the world’s largest hydromagnetic-powered6-person tornado waterslide, Sebag – the six-person racer slide, the lazy Al Raha River, adventure river Yadi Yas, Bubble’s Barrel – the largest FlowBarrel sheet wave ride in the world, and the family-friendly wave pool Amwaj.

Those looking to relax in between all the rides and adventures have been heading to the family area or renting one of the Park’s VIP chilled cabanas, where refreshments are delivered straight to guests as they lounge in an air-conditioned environment.

“When it comes to a fun family entertainment attraction that captures the spirit of the Emirates, it really doesn’t get much better than Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi," said Oswald.

"From the atmospheric setting, the thrilling rides, authentic souq-style shopping attractions and the live entertainment elements, there’s something to amuse the entire family all in one place," he added.-TradeArabia News Service