If there’s one theme park on every thrill-seeker’s bucket list, it’s Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. It has many things going for it, including (still) the world’s fastest rollercoaster, Formula Rossa, which will take you zipping, twisting, and looping through the tracks at a top speed of 240 kilometers per hour in just 4.9 seconds.
Aside from Formula Rossa, what else can you look forward to seeing or experiencing on your Ferrari World Yas Island visit? Here’s a handy list.
1. Flying Aces
Flying Aces is another rollercoaster ride at Ferrari World. Unlike Formula Rossa, where you strap into seats modeled after Ferrari’s Formula 1® racecars, Flying Aces have seats resembling military biplanes. This is not a random design choice; there’s a story here.
Apparently, the Ferrari company’s prancing horse logo was inspired by ace aviator Count Francesco Baracca. Count Baracca supposedly painted a horse on his military biplane for luck. When Ferrari founder Enzo Ferrari saw that, he followed suit and painted a horse on his car.
Flying Aces, the ride, is a nod to this link between the “ace of aces” aviator Count Baracca and Ferrari, but it has more to offer than a beautiful origin story. It currently holds the world record for the world’s highest non-inverted loop. One of the ride’s highlights is the 63-meter ascent at a 51-degree incline.
A top speed of 120 km/h may not seem much, especially compared to Formula Rossa’s 240 km/h. Try it, and you’ll realize that the loopy, topsy-turvy track, seats that let legs freely hang in the air, and a single lap bar to hold you down make for an intensely exhilarating experience.
2. Roof Walk Experience
Before you go inside Ferrari World, find a high vantage point on Yas Island where you can take in the sight of Ferrari World’s roof. Under the blue sky, it looks like a sleek, bright red shield. Its crowning glory is the yellow Scuderia Ferrari logo (found on the south side, flanking Etihad Park), the biggest Ferrari logo you’ll see anywhere in the world.
After seeing the roof and logo from afar, see them up close by booking the Roof Walk Experience. This is a seasonal attraction (available when the weather permits) that will let you go on a guided “expedition” up and on Ferrari World’s red roof. You’ll walk where few have gone before, and you will get to a touching distance from the world’s biggest Ferrari logo. Just imagine the incredible photos you’ll get from this point of view!
3. Turbo Track
If you look at Ferrari World’s roof, you’ll notice it has an indentation at the center. Rising from it, breaching it, is a spindly-looking red tower.
All of Ferrari World’s major rollercoasters (Flying Aces, Formula Rossa, and Fiorano GT Challenge) are located outdoors, except one: Turbo Track. That skinny pillar projecting from the center of the theme park’s red roof? That’s part of the Turbo Track line.
Turbo Track is a vertical rollercoaster. You’ll strap in, accelerate and gain momentum on the ground, climb 64 meters until you reach the top of the track projecting out of the roof, and then experience everything in reverse. It’s an electrifying, 30-second experience, rising at full tilt and then free-falling (in zero gravity) at speeds of 102 km/h.
4. The World’s First Ferrari Esports Arena
Do you love video games, motorsports, and racing simulators? Drop by the Esports Arena. It’s a massive space, filled with booths where you and your friends can challenge each other to a virtual race.
You can try two types of racing simulators:
● GT Simulators: The GT Simulators will let you simulate a grand touring (GT) race. This experience comes free with your park entry ticket. Just queue up, choose your seat and start racing your friends for bragging rights supremacy.
● F1® Simulators: The F1® Simulators will let you experience a Formula 1® race. Choose your preferred F1® track; you may even pick the Yas Marina Circuit, which is home to the Abu Dhabi leg of the Formula 1® races. Note that access to the F1® Simulators is not included with your park entry ticket. You need to book this separately.
5. VIP Experience
If you can, you should get Ferrari's VIP experience. It’s equivalent to traveling first-class on airplanes.
The VIP experience is an add-on to a park entry ticket. You have two VIP packages to choose from.
VIP Shared Experience: This comes with a per-head cost. Everyone who purchased a VIP Shared Experience package will be gathered and treated as a group for the following privileges:
● Guided tour
● Quick Pass (no queuing)
● Exclusive VIP dining experience
● Customized souvenirs
● Valet parking
VIP Private Experience: The VIP Private Experience package is for those who want an exclusive VIP experience. A private package can accommodate up to three guests, but you can add more by paying extra per additional guest. The VIP Private Experience package includes every benefit in the VIP Shared Experience plus:
● Roof Walk Experience
● Ferrari World Esports Arena
● Unlimited digital photos
● Behind-the-scenes tour
● VIP Lounge, with complimentary refreshments and snacks
● VIP meet-and-greet with Ferrari characters
Ready to Have Fun?
Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi is a big place. Have the best time when you visit by trying the five experiences listed above.