Thrill-seekers get ready for some of the best white-knuckle rides around, so sit back, buckle up and let’s go
Bandit Bomber – the region’s longest suspended rollercoaster
Hop on and glide through the park at high speed intervals and when it isn’t going so fast, and you’ve caught your breath, you’ll manage to get a bird’s eye view of the waterpark. Ride when the sun is setting and when the park lights up to catch sight of the waterpark all aglow!
Liwa Loop – a high intensity looping waterslide
Thrill-seekers, get your adrenaline rush here! Jebel Drop might be the park’s steepest and most blood-curdling ride to most, and while we enjoyed it during the daytime, we think Liwa Loop wins the night spot with its intense kick! We barely waited an hour for turn on Liwa Loop. One couple in the queue actually backed out so nerve wracking a ride it is. To ride the Liwa Loop, you step into an enclosed tube and are locked in. Three, two, one and the floor opens up and you hurtle down into a high intensity looping waterslide through an enclosed translucent tube which very little light comes in, so riding at night, means you’re riding in the dark.
Heads up: Men need to take off their shirt in order to ride which means there is a slight friction on the back. Women, on the other hand, can choose to place a soft board on their back, which is provided by the park, for a smooth slide.
Falcon’s Falaj – an extreme six-seater water coaster ride
For an electrifying ride for the family with bigger kids, this exhilarating water coaster that slides and drops into rapids. You’ll be screaming and laughing at every twist and turn.
Heads up: Waiting time may take up to 45 minutes, so entry may close earlier than 10pm.
Dawwama – the world’s largest six-person tornado water coaster
There’s a reason why this ride is slated as the UAE’s ultimate water experience. This intense, high intensity raft ride starts off by plunging off the height of a mountaintop, before you get to experience the world’s longest six-person slide as you zoom into a 20-metre high tornado funnel!
Heads up: Dawwama has the longest queue and may take up to an hour of waiting time, and therefore may close as early as 9pm instead of 10pm.
Slither’s slides – a serpentine slide with a spin
Grab a friend or sibling or son and daughter and hop into one of the twin floaters. There are six slides with different thrill levels. But don’t be scared, opt for the most extreme ride marked with the red light. It’s the most awesome slide available and it’s not at all terrifying – we promise!
There’s respite from all the screaming as you slide down the dark tunnel, as you briefly find yourself mesmerised by tiny blue lights subtly illuminating a cylindrical vessel as you slowly loop three to four times until you reach the middle, where a black hole sucks you down a fast slide then out a giant snake’s mouth straight into a landing pool.
Something for the little ones
For those with young kids or for those who prefer to give water coasters and slides a miss, there’s also a host of family-friendly rides and attractions to fill your time at the park. Try the immersive 5D cinema at Cinesplash, complete with cutting edge effects from moving seats to water explosions.
Young kids will have a great time at the Marah Fortress playground where they can use up that energy playing on slides and with water cannons, among other interactive features for non-stop action.
For a relaxing time, families can laze away the time at the Amwaj Wave Pool or float down Al Raha River’s sleepy waterway that turns into a neon river by night. Grab a lighted floater gleaming in different colours for that glowing photo op!
All those awesome rides are bound to work up your appetite, so head to many of the park’s dining spots for a quick snack or a proper sit-down meal!
Yalla Tip: Bring your own towels if you want to avoid the unnecessary expense of buying or renting towels for the whole family, which can add up into a hefty sum. Lockers are also charged and comes in different sizes. You can rent one medium size locker priced at AED55 that would fit 2 or 3 regular sized bags.
Neon Nights, 16, 23 & 30 October, 10am – 10pm. For more information or to get tickets, visit www.yaswaterworld.com.
