Set across approximately 15 hectares of land, the waterpark was developed by Aldar Properties and supported by Blackburn Share Holdings.[2] Yas Waterworld is managed and operated by Abu Dhabi–based Miral Asset Management LLC.[3]
The waterpark has played host to the World Flowboarding Championships since 2013 and it offers special training sessions to learn to ride the waves on body boards called Yas Flow League.[4]
Theming and designedit
Yas Waterworld's theme is based on an original story developed for the waterpark: The Legend of The Lost Pearl. This tale is inspired by Emirati culture and history, and follows the adventures of Dana, a young Emirati girl in search of a legendary pearl that had once brought prosperity to her village. Seeing how hard life was in her village, Dana voyaged across the desert with bandits in hot pursuit, to find the mighty pearl and bring prosperity back to her village.[5]
Yas Waterworld reflects traditional Emirati architecture in the entirety of the waterpark's design. It includes a detailed references to historic Emirati heritage with an Arabian castle-like exterior design, and a village-like interior design.[2] The conception and engineering of the Emirati fantasy theme waterpark was built on the narrative of The Legend of the Lost Pearl, which is inspired by Emirati culture and history, and is seenin the waterpark's architecture. The eponymous pearl is seen from outside the waterpark, and all the characters, attractions, shops and restaurants are also based on the story.[2]
Rides and attractionsedit
The waterpark's attractions are grouped into four categories: Adrenaline Rush (extreme thrill), Exciting Adventures (high thrill), Moving and Grooving, and Young Fun (low thrill). The highest rides are Jebel Drop and Hamlool's Humps, and the fastest is Liwa Loop. The waterpark includes six rides that can’t be found anywhere else in the world: Bandit Bomber, Bubble’s Barrel, Cinesplash, Dawwama, Falcon’s Falaj and Slithers Slides.[3]
Ridesedit
Adrenaline Rushedit
Falcons Falaj
Bubbles Barrel
Liwa Loop
Dawwama
Hamlool’s Hump
Jebel Drop
Exciting Adventuresedit
Sebag – Six line mat race
Bandit Bomber
Rush Rider
Bubbles Barrel
Cinesplash
Jabha Zone
Water Wars and Dunk Tanks
Slither’s Slides – Six different tube slides
Amwaj Wave Pool
Amwaj Beach
Yadi Yas – Wave river
Yadi Yas Beach
Moving and Groovingedit
Al Raha River
Water Wars
Marah Fortress
Fish Pipe – Rotating Barrel Ride
Al Raha River – Lazy River
Al Raha Beach
Young Funedit
Yehal
Tot’s Playground
Cannon Point
Themed Experiencesedit
Ladies Season
Neon Nights
Kabayan Nights
Yas Pearl Diving Experience
PearlMasters
Underwater VR experience
Al Waha Cabanas
Jebel Dana
Mina Al Jewana
Awards and nominationsedit
Since the park's opening in 2013, it has won the following awards:
Named the "second best waterpark in the world" by the LA Times' Ranking of the World’s Top 20 Waterparks feature in May 2013.[7]
Won the World Travel Awards award for the Middle East’s Leading Tourist Attraction of the year 2013.[8]
The Bandit Bomber is the first roller coaster to be incorporated into a waterpark and was ranked amongst the world’s newest, biggest and baddest roller coasters for the summer of 2013, by CNN.[6]
WWA 2014 Wave Review Award – Best Promotion of the Year[9]
2012 Leading Edge Award - World Waterpark Association's Annual Show, in Las Vegas, USA - October, 2012[11]
Top 10 Water Park in the Middle East 2017 by TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice.[12]
Theme and Waterpark of the Year given by Mother Baby & Child Magazine for 2016[13] and Waterpark of the Year for 2017.[14]
Voted "Favourite Day Out" and "Favourite Ladies' Night" at the What’s On Awards 2018[15]
Voted 'Middle East's Leading Water Park' - winner of the World Travel Award 2018, 2019, 2020[16]
Voted ‘World’s Leading Waterpark’ award by World Travel Award 2018, 2019, 2020[16]
Winner of 2018, 2019 and 2020 "Best Waterpark" by Menalac[17]
Guinness World Record for The Most Nationalities in a Swimming Pool in April 2019[18]
The Best Waterpark award by Global Brand Awards 2020[16]
Middle East’s Best Water Theme Park by the International Travel Awards 2020[16]
Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice certificate in 2020[16]
Referencesedit
^Cleland, Emily (December 17, 2012). "Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi to open in January". thenational.ae. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
^ abcLucy barnard,"Going with the flow: the designer's story behind Yas Waterworld". thenationalnews.com. January 17, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
^ ab"You Cannot Miss These Offers At Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi!". abudhabitalking.com. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
^"About Us - Yas Waterworld". Yas Waterworld. Retrieved 2017-11-13.