Yas Waterworld - A Review

So this past weekend, my family and I decided to go up to Yas Island and check out Yas Waterworld - The newest addition to the "Things to do" category of the UAE.

Yas Waterworld, managed by the same group of people that manage Yas Island’s other big attraction Ferrari World, is a treat for both UAE residents and tourists. With an entry fee of AED 225 per adult and AED 185 per child under 1.1meters in height. 

The Premium pass, which allows people to essentially ‘skip the queue’ might just be worth the additional AED 160 depending on when you decide to go. The weekend or a good sunny day will lead to a crowded waterworld, meaning longer queues to each attraction. 

Next thing up, what to carry and locker services. A small square locker comes at a cost of AED 35 while a longer rectangular locker comes at a cost of AED 55. Unless entering the park carrying valuables, the locker service proves to be quite an unnecessary one. You are allowed to carry bags into the park, which are checked but nothing is really removed. Carry a bottle of Coca-Cola or water if you wish to and just place it in the bag along with towels. Towels in the park can be obtained for a rental fee obviously. Each towel can be rented for AED 20 which seems to be quite outrageous, especially since you are allowed to bring your own. Try to leave your valuables in the car before coming in and if possible, leave the mobile phones/cameras there too. 

Next up, Food. There’s no limit to the number of small ‘shacks’ where you can buy food. The food/snacks joints include a designated snacks store, an ice cream hut, and sweet store serving doughnuts and muffins. “Chubby’s Kitchen” and “Dana’s diner” being the main 2 joints to pick up filling food such as burgers and pizzas. 

The Attractions: Boasting of 43 attractions, Yas Waterworld has enough to keep one busy for a good 5 hours. The idea of 2 different kids areas for younger kids and older kids seemed to be a good one in comparison to those of Wild Wadi and Aquaventure both of which just have one play-area for children. 

The park classifies its attractions into 4 distinct categories:

1. Young Fun [For Children]
2. Moving & Grooving [For the more older category who visit to relax rather than exert themselves]
3. Exciting Adventure [Categorized as a High Thrill Level with rides to make you enjoy the park]
4. Adrenaline Rush [The Extreme thrill level for the roller-coaster and adventure lovers] 

Instead of going into details of all 43 attractions, which can prove to be quite long and boring, I’m going to highlight some of the attractions you must catch when there.

The Dawwama - A 6-people-one-raft attraction which includes a 20 meter high open funnel giving the person in the raft a tornado feel. It really is something, though the extremely long line for this one would make you think, “Why didn’t I buy the premium pass?” 

The Dawwama.

The Liwa Loop - A No-Tube-Required lopping attraction which starts with a near-to-vertical-start with a hydraulic floor which opens up unexpectedly. Note: This is not for the faint hearted]

Liwa Loop.

Hamlool’s Humps: An exact replica of Wild Wadi’s older Jumeirah Sceirah. Fantastic nonetheless.

Hamlool's Humps.

Jabel Drop: This one’s an exact replica of Aquaventure’s “Leap of Faith” , [Yes I know my Blog has the same name], without the aquarium to pass through though.

A Near-to-vertical drop on Jabel Drop.

Sebag: A ride where 6 people race down to the finish with watermats. All 6 start together to see who can finish first. A common concept in water-park’s all over the world but a first for waterparks in the UAE.

Race your Friends&Family on Sebag.

Slither Surprise: The first 4 slides are said to be common ones, though i didn’t go on them. The last slide though, you will fall in love with. Not because of the thrill, which it doesn’t really have, but because of the way it has been designed. when inside, you’ll actually feel like you’re in the belly of a snake!

This is the one I was talking about.

Yadi Yas: Your normal Lazy river, with a twist. The waves. Torrents keep coming in sending you into a wave-filled lazy river. Once again, a copy off Aquaventure.

Yadi Yas.

That’s my top 7 rides.

All in all, Yas Waterworld will prove to be a fun-filled outing for both families and friends. Essentially a wonderful combination of both the competing water-world’s in Dubai, it gives one a reason to come here instead. 

The only downside i felt in Yas Waterworld, was the stairs. Each attraction being quite high up and the only way to reach each attraction is by climbing stairs. Initially it’s not such a pain because you’re full of excitement, but later on in the day, it starts to become a real problem. So keep in mind.

That’s all for my review, do check it out soon. Enjoy!

Parichay Swarup, A Bored Ex-Student.