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29 March 2024

Ferrari theme park revs up for opening

At Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, visitors can stroll through a Ferrari paddock, handle tools used during races and train to be part of a pit crew which changes the tyres on an F1 car (AP)

Published
By Keith Fernandez

The world’s largest indoor theme park opens its doors in the UAE on Wednesday, officials said in a statement.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the first theme park dedicated to a sports car, is expected to attract family tourists from around the Middle East, but projected numbers were unavailable to media.

“Significantly, the park will fill a considerable need in the Middle East for family friendly leisure attractions which can be enjoyed all year round, and we expect a big turn out from the GCC accordingly,” Andy Keeling, Park Manager, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, said in an interview with Emirates247.com ahead of the opening.

“We are putting a huge focus on creating a highly memorable and enjoyable experience which will keep guests coming back again and again,” Keeling said. “Our feasibility studies show that there is a huge gap in the market for family friendly attractions which can be enjoyed all year round.”

The park, development costs for which have not been made public, is housed under a massive triangular red roof on the Dh150 billion Yas Island development and Ferrari's decision to launch its first theme park in the Middle East in many ways shows how important the region is to the future of motorsports.

Some 20 rides and attractions are likely to be operational at the 2000sqm park on launch day, including the Formula Rossa, a roller coaster that powers up to 240kmph in less than five seconds and the G-Force, a tower ride that will shoot thrill-seekers 62 metres into the air before plummeting back to earth in an attempt to recreate the actual G-force of a Ferrari car.

Visitors will be able to stroll through a Ferrari paddock, handle tools used during races and train to be part of a pit crew which changes the tyres on an F1 car.

“The waiting is over, now it’s time to immerse yourself in the world of Ferrari,” Keeling said. "It's not a museum. It's not a car sales room. You ride great roller coasters. The icing on the cake is that it's a Ferrari Formula One roller coaster."

The park is expected to open with a wide selection of rides and an opening party that features plenty of entertainment acts and giveaways. Events begin at 5pm and are expected to continue through the evening.

It will operate on a six-day a week schedule from Tuesday to Sunday, welcoming visitors from 12 noon each day.

Dubai-based motorracing fan Shilpa Prasad told Emirates247.com she was eager to try the rides out for herself. "There's been so much hype, we're definitely going down this weekend. I hope it's as good as they say," she said. 

Tickets are priced from Dh225 and can be purchased on arrival. All tickets provide unlimited use of rides and attractions inside the park. (With agency inputs)