I knew I would not be coming home without a trip to Ferrari World, Yas Island, as an eager fan of Formula 1 whose favourite team is Ferrari. So we hopped in our taxi for a fun filled day out in the 42°C (108°F) weather. Here are my top tips for your visit:
1. Visit during summer!
I know people might read this and think… she’s gone mad, but actually summer is a great time to visit Yas Island in my opinion. Why? Because people are terrified to visit Middle Eastern countries in the middle of summer when temperatures average in the 40s, especially if they have pasty pale skin which tends to burn like I do. However, I can confirm I came back without turning to a crisp.
Ferrari World, Yas Island is fully equipped to tackle the insane weather, and so is the rest of Yas Island. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi are both indoor theme parks, offering deliciously high air conditioning, making an extremely comfortable queueing and riding experience. The only times you’ll be feeling the heat in these parks is on select rides, including Flying Aces, Formula Rossa, Fiorano GT Challenge and Turbo Track. But I promise, these rides are such high thrills, you won’t even notice the heat.
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is partially indoors and Yas Waterworld is an outdoor waterpark featuring over 70 attractions. When I was in the pool at my hotel, I didn’t even notice the heat as Abu Dhabi is prepped with measures to protect guests as much as possible from extreme heat. Make sure to wear sandals or flip flops on the hot floor between rides though!
Fancy queue times of 15 minutes without having to buy fast passes? Visit from July - September.
2. Check ride scheduled maintenance periods
Formula Rossa has always been on my bucket list, so when I saw it was only a 30-minute wait for the world’s fastest roller coaster, I was absolutely ecstatic. We jumped in the queue whilst my mum stayed behind holding the bags, as Flying Aces was more than enough adrenaline fuel for her in a day. Once we got in line, it was announced that at 2:30 - 3pm, Formula Rossa will be closing for scheduled maintenance. It is written on the signs in front of the entrance and so we waited patiently and it ended up taking approximately 15 minutes!
In no time we were launched out into the Arabian desert wearing safety goggles to protect our eyes at a top speed of 149 mph (240 km/h). It was hands down the best ride I’ve ever been on, and I’m a huge self proclaimed rollercoaster enthusiast. As I looked up, there was a giant Emirates plane taking off right above our heads but I can honestly say that I think we were taking off faster!
To make sure you squeeze in every ride you want, make sure to check these times before you join the queue, and potentially reserve a table at one of the delicious restaurants while you wait. Grab some award winning Italian dishes at Mamma Rossella, Arabic delicacies at Il Podio or maybe just a quick pastry and coffee at Espresso Rosso.
3. Add on a signature experience
We were having such a fantastic time riding the rides, it would be hard to distract us… until we saw the Karting Academy. We are a family full of F1 fanatics, so as soon as we saw the 290 metre long go kart track, we were sold! We paid 60 AED extra per person (approximately £13 each) and were given a ticket with a time to return for our race, which happened to be 10 minutes later!
We headed into a quick safety brief, geared up with our helmets and found our karts ready to race. It was lights out and away we went, zooming past the apexs. The only thing missing was Ted Kravitz’s iconic commentary. I felt like a proper Scuderia Ferrari driver.
There were a couple of requirements for this experience, as you had to be 140 cm - 210 cm in height, and over 13 years old. I recommend you take a look at the experiences beforehand on their website to check if all members fit these requirements in order to avoid disappointment.
This is not the only signature experience on offer too! You can also drive a Ferrari, get VIP experience, try a roof walk (this is closed seasonally due to the weather), and F1 simulators!
4. Try some unique snacks
I saw all kinds of unique snacks which I think it’s safe to say do not exist other than in Yas Island. One that truly stuck out to me was the pizza flavoured popcorn, just making sure they really set the scene that we have been transported to Italy!
5. Buy a Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Quick Pass
We were able to do 6 insane rides, and the Karting Academy during our visit, but there was so much more to see! From fantastic shows and thrilling rides to delicious dining options and shopping (I was a kid in a candy store seeing all of the merchandise on offer). We recommend purchasing quick passes if you want to experience everything in a short amount of time, or if you visit during peak times, including weekends and public holidays.
The Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Quick Pass is worth every penny, with unlimited priority access to the selected participating rides and experiences at 150 AED per person (£31 per person). Please note that you need theme park admission separate to these tickets.
These are the included attractions:
- Formula Rossa
- Flying Aces
- Turbo Track
- Fiorano GT
- Mission Ferrari
- Bennos’s Great Race
- Junior GP
- Bell’ Italia
- Viaggio in Italia
- Made in Maranello
- Speed of Magic
- Driving with the Champion
- Formula Rossa Junior
- Flying Wings
- Speedway Race
- Turbo Tower
How to use
This is a digital pass, available to download as a PDF to your smartphone instantly upon full payment (or you can print it if you prefer). Present the pass at the information counter located inside the park and you will get a wrist band that can be used at all listed rides and experiences above to bypass the regular queue. Quick Pass is a separate line with a shorter wait time at each valid attraction.
6. Arrive early
We got there at the start of the day and the queue times were approximately 15 minutes for each of the rides, including one of the top thrill rides, Flying Aces. As the day went by, the park got busier, as did the queues. By the time we were about to leave, each of the queues were approximately 30 - 40 minutes long. All of the rides were definitely worth the wait, but once again if you do not want to pay for a Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Quick Pass, we recommend you maximise your time and enter the park early!
We had a fantastic time to say the least, even winning a giant Ferrari teddy bear on the football game stall, which we ended up calling Enzo. It was a bit of a palaver trying to fly him home, but he did make it in the end, and he now lives at my parents' house.
7. Dress conservatively
This is not a requirement, but I strongly recommend dressing comfortably in order to respect the culture and fit in. I recommend both men and women wear trousers with a top that covers the stomach and shoulders to avoid standing out.
Yas Island is a must visit on a trip to Abu Dhabi, with world record holding rollercoasters, small rides suitable for all ages and us Brits’ favourite thing in the world: air conditioning.
If you’re ready to explore a new country you’ve never visited before and experience world class, record breaking attractions, book your trip to Abu Dhabi now!
