16 AMUSEMENT TODAY April 2013
April 2013 AMUSEMENT TODAY 17WATERPARKS & RESORTSINDOOR FACILITIES AQUATIC CENTERS RECREATION SUPPLIERSWhiteWater West, ProSlide biggest suppliersMuch anticipated Yas waterworld opened in JanuarySTORY: Jeffrey L. Seifertjseifert@amusementtoday.comABU DHABI — After afew days of sneak previews toFacebook friends, Yas Waterworldofficially opened to thepublic on January 22, 2013 —four days ahead of schedule.The 15-hectare (37-acre) waterparkwas built with an investmentof $245 million andhas been under developmentfor more than two years. Thewaterpark is part of a $36 billionYas Island developmentthat includes Ferrari World,Yas Marina, Yas Marina Circuitrace track, Yas Links golfcourse, Yas Gateway Park, YasArena, as well as restaurants,hotels, resorts, villas andshopping centers. The manmade island on the coast ofthe Persian Gulf was a dustywasteland that was separatedfrom the mainland by a seriesof canals and waterways, andtransformed <strong>into</strong> a lush recreationalarea over a period of 30months.The opening ceremonyinvolved hundreds of performers,fire-breathing dragons,high-thrill flowboardtricks, a tight rope walk overthe waterpark’s canals anddeath-defying sword fights.His Highness Sheikh Tahnoonbin Mohammed Al Nahyan,the Ruler’s Representative inthe Eastern Region, officiallyopened the waterpark, signinga classically-styled guestbookwith a flourish in keeping withYas Waterworld’s Emirati-inspiredsetting. The ceremonyconcluded with the tumblingroar of the waterpark’s centralwaterfall and a spectacularfountain show.“Yas Waterworld AbuDhabi came to life today —both symbolically and literally.It has been an incrediblejourney to this point and unbelievablysatisfying to watchthe people’s reaction to whathas been created. We are confidentthat people will haveseen nothing like it before andwe look forward to the wavesof visitors expected to arrivenow that the park is officiallyopen,” said Mike Oswald, YasWaterworld Abu Dhabi, generalmanager.Even before opening tothe public, the park was proclaimedthe winner of theWorld Waterpark Association’s(WWA), “Leading EdgeAward” in 2012.WhiteWater West suppliedand manufactured 12 ofthe 14 slide complexes includingthe world’s first Rattlerthat contains special effects,lasers, lights and sounds; andan AquaLoop with an Aqua-Drop capsule — the first loopingwaterslide in the MiddleEast.ProSlide provided the twolargest attractions at the park— the largest HydroMagneticMammoth in the Middle Eastand the world’s first Hydro-Magnetic Tornado. Both useProSlide’s 6-Man Clover-Wheel tubes.Vekoma supplied thepark’s Bandit Bomber rollercoaster. The 550-meter (1,800-foot) Vekoma Splash Partysuspended coaster winds overslides and attractions. The vehiclesare equipped with watertanks and riders can shootwater lasers at guests belowor drop a 20-liter (5.2-gallon)water “bomb.” Guests underthe coaster can fire back withwater cannons.A Wave Loch FlowBarrelTen Double is allegedly thelargest sheet wave surf ride inthe world, — awaiting confirmationfrom Guinness WorldRecords. The water temperaturein all of the attractions iscontrolled and varies with differentseasons to keep guestscomfortable.Other attractions includea wave pool, lazy river, shopsand boutiques, eight restaurants,and a unique pearl divingattraction that showcasestraditional Emirati pearl diving.The choreographed show,presented in both English andArabic, allows guests to interactwith the divers to selectthe oyster of their choice thenhave the pearl mounted in anecklace, bracelet or keychain.Cabanas throughout the parkare available for rent. Splash-Quest, a WhiteWater Westpartner, created PearlMastersan interactive game thatuses RFID technology to takeguests on a treasure huntaround the park.Upon entry to the parkevery guest is given an RFIDwristband that can be loadedwith money for the convenienceof not having to carrycash around and can be usedat any of the food outlets andshops located within the waterpark.The RFID wristbandscan also be used to accesslockers throughout the day, atan additional cost. The samewristband will be used to playPearlMasters if that option ispurchased. The park acceptsVisa, American Express, MasterCardand cash in Dirhamand U.S. <strong>Dollar</strong> currencies.Complimentary wireless Internetis provided throughoutthe park. In keeping withIslamic traditions, two prayerrooms are available in thepark.“Yas Waterworld AbuDhabi is a milestone in theleisure sector in the MiddleEast, and indeed in the world.Our 43 rides, slides and attractionsfeature five one-ofa-kindrides that have never4See WATERWORLD, page 18At the newly opened Yas Waterworld, six different White-Water slides (above) are intertwined in this area of the park,including a SuperBowl and the world’s first Rattler with lasers,lights and sounds. Below, WhiteWater supplied multiplewater play structures including an AquaPlay GiantRainFortress as well as the The FlowBarrel from Flow Rider,below. Ten Double is allegedly the largest sheet wave surfride in the world, — awaiting confirmation from GuinnessWorld Records. COURTESY WHITEWATER