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 design
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 attractions
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]
Rides
Adrenaline Rush
Falcons Falaj
Bubbles Barrel
Liwa Loop
Dawwama
Hamlool’s Hump
Jebel Drop
Exciting Adventures
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 Grooving
Al Raha River
Water Wars
Marah Fortress
Fish Pipe – Rotating Barrel Ride
Al Raha River – Lazy River
Al Raha Beach
Young Fun
Yehal
Tot’s Playground
Cannon Point
Themed Experiences
Ladies Season
Neon Nights
Kabayan Nights
Yas Pearl Diving Experience
PearlMasters
Underwater VR experience
Al Waha Cabanas
Jebel Dana
Mina Al Jewana
Awards and nominations
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]
