Yas Waterworld is adding 12 new rides and slides as part of its latest expansion. Photo: Miral
Yas Waterworld is adding 12 new rides and slides as part of its latest expansion. Photo: Miral
Yas Waterworld is adding 12 new rides and slides as part of its latest expansion. Photo: Miral
Yas Waterworld is adding 12 new rides and slides as part of its latest expansion. Photo: Miral

Yas Waterworld expansion to open this summer with 12 new rides and slides


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The Yas Waterworld expansion will be open to the public this summer, its operator has announced.

Miral Destinations has revealed that the water park on Yas Island will have 12 new rides and slides, along with a new dining concept.

The new additions will bring the waterpark’s collection of attractions to more than 57, making Yas Waterworld one of the leading parks of its kind in the region.

The announcement comes a month after a large fire broke out at a construction area adjacent to the operational area of the park, but the emergency services responded quickly and it reopened the following day.

Among the new attractions is Al Sahel Junior, the region’s first mini zero-gravity boomerangs, featuring drops, winding slides and vertical zooms.

Dawwama Junior, a scaled-down version of the park’s tornado slide will also be introduced, as well as Rimal Racer, where the attraction's young visitors can race side-by-side.

There's also the Mataha Madness maze, the Sadaf Swirl, the Bahamut’s Rage water ride and the interactive Bandit’s Playground splash zone.

The new additions will take Yas Waterworld's colletction of rides, slides and attractions to more than 57. Photo: Miral
The new additions will take Yas Waterworld's colletction of rides, slides and attractions to more than 57. Photo: Miral

An additional Lost City theme will also be introduced, which continues the waterpark’s original story, The Legend of the Lost Pearl. It follows Dana, a young Emirati girl, who voyages across the desert to bring back a legendary pearl that can grant prosperity to her village.

Inspired by Emirati culture, the theme pays tribute to the UAE's pearl-diving history, where guests set off on a journey to discover hidden treasures and secret passages woven within the attractions.

Miral first unveiled plans for a 16,900-square-metre expansion to Yas Waterworld in October.

THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick

Hometown: Cologne, Germany

Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)

Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes

Favourite hobby: Football

Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk

Manchester City 4
Otamendi (52) Sterling (59) Stones (67) Brahim Diaz (81)

Real Madrid 1
Oscar (90)

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE's role in anti-extremism recognised

General John Allen, President of the Brookings Institution research group, commended the role the UAE has played in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

He told a Globsec debate of the UAE’s "hugely outsized" role in the fight against Isis.

"It’s trite these days to say that any country punches above its weight, but in every possible way the Emirates did, both militarily, and very importantly, the UAE was extraordinarily helpful on getting to the issue of violent extremism," he said.

He also noted the impact that Hedayah, among others in the UAE, has played in addressing violent extremism.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
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If you go

The flights 

Emirates flies from Dubai to Funchal via Lisbon, with a connecting flight with Air Portugal. Economy class returns cost from Dh3,845 return including taxes.

The trip

The WalkMe app can be downloaded from the usual sources. If you don’t fancy doing the trip yourself, then Explore  offers an eight-day levada trails tour from Dh3,050, not including flights.

The hotel

There isn’t another hotel anywhere in Madeira that matches the history and luxury of the Belmond Reid's Palace in Funchal. Doubles from Dh1,400 per night including taxes.

 

 

Results

2-15pm: Commercial Bank Of Dubai – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Al Habash, Patrick Cosgrave (jockey), Bhupat Seemar (trainer)

2.45pm: Al Shafar Investment – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Day Approach, Ray Dawson, Ahmad bin Harmash

3.15pm: Dubai Real estate Centre – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Celtic Prince, Richard Mullen, Rashed Bouresly

3.45pm: Jebel Ali Sprint by ARM Holding – Listed (TB) Dh500,000 (D) 1,000m; Winner: Khuzaam, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson

4.15pm: Shadwell – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Tenbury Wells, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

4.45pm: Jebel Ali Stakes by ARM Holding – Listed (TB) Dh500,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Lost Eden, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson

5.15pm: Jebel Ali Racecourse – Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Rougher, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson

The Pope's itinerary

Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport


Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial


Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport

Updated: April 30, 2025, 2:09 PM`