The very mention of Yas Island is certain to have you recall Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh cavorting on rollercoasters and speeding through race circuits in his campaign for the entertainment district. With a personality as buzzy and high-octane as his fronting it, the pursuit for entertainment on Yas Island is bound to be set sky high by visitors. So one speedy stop on the island later, I can confirm that the destination is mostly everything the billboards and advertisements promise it to be. On this edition of #SheSays, I revisit the entertainment high points of Abu Dhabi, fresh off my flight from Yas Island.
1. Hit The Accelerator At Ferrari World
There's no better spot to satiate a need for speed than at Ferrari World. Peppered with iconic four-wheelers throughout the venue, the theme park extends its brand to adrenaline-pumping rides wired with something they are best known for i.e. speed. The epic zero-gravity fall from Turbo Track feels like minutes rather than seconds-long and Flying Aces, which features the world's highest rollercoaster loop at 63-metres-high, is so heart-thumpingly thrilling, it'll leave your stomach in knots. Children especially, have plenty to do at this theme park as attractions like Formula Rossa Junior, a kid-sized version of the famous adult theme ride as well as Flying Wings for a gliding experience, are designed especially for little tykes. There are also boating attractions, a karting academy and 4D simulators to experience the park sans an adrenaline overload. As rides like Formula Rossa were shut for maintenance during my visit, a check prior to yours would be beneficial so as to avoid missing any attractions.
2. Soar To New Heights At CLYMB
If you're in for a physically-challenging adventure, there's no place better than CLYMB. Here, you bring the thrills yourself when you are rock-climbing or indoor sky-diving without relying on gizmos for a taste of adventure. Home to the world's biggest indoor skydiving flight chamber, experience the sensation of floating on thin air with skilled trainers and instructors guiding you through your flight. If it's on hard ground that you want to keep your feet firmly planted, then keep them moving upward at five climbing experiences at varying heights for every level of expertise. Those who have it in their hands can attempt to climb SUMMYT, a 138-foot high wall, which is the region's tallest climbing wall.
3. Experience Marine Life In All Its Glory At SeaWorld
You'd never expect a day at the aquarium to widen your horizons but a visit to SeaWorld will do that to you. Divided into realms by region, one can get a glimpse of marine life and beyond in their natural habitat. Admiring Manta rays and sharks behind glass is a given and here, you can take it further by sea diving, sea walking and scuba diving in the midst of the marine life. Come face-to-face with majestic dolphins, interact with playful otters and pet penguins for a first-hand experience like nowhere else. A visit to their Research & Rescue Centre shares insight into their conservation programs to rehabilitate and nurture marine life in need of help, till they can survive on their own and are released into the Arabian Gulf.
4. Take A Delightful Nostalgia Trip At Warner Bros World
Whether or not you've grown up on a diet on 90s Cartoon Network, a Yas Island holiday wouldn't be complete without a visit to Warner Bros World. From setting afoot in Fred Flintstones' neighbourhood of Bedrock to helping Scooby-Doo solve one of his famous ghoul-trapped mysteries, it's a trip back in time that will bring the cartoon characters you spent hours watching on TV, to reality. Gotham's overcast battle between Batman and The Joker through a thrilling showcase of rides, the Justice League's villainous 4D takedown with you in the front seat, Tom and Jerry's chase for cheese and Hal Jordan shining Green Lantern's light to save the world are some of the few experiences you can have within the many zones at Warner Bros World. Take pictures with characters like Daffy and Superman and buy merchandise at the stores to go home with more than just memories.
Adventure and thrills in every form come to life at Yas Island. Whether you're a gang of girls or a family with young children, there's entertainment for everyone who enters here. And that's just scratching the surface of Yas Island. On a longer holiday, there are also attractions like the Yas Marina Circuit and Yas Waterworld that deserve a visit. Ranveer sure did get it right; the fun doesn't stop when you're here.
