A visit to Yas Island Abu Dhabi: Theme parks and shopping

Since coming to Abu Dhabi I have been stunned a number of times by what human ambition can achieve. Building a futuristic city on the fringes of a desert in a country that was formed just a few decades back is no small feat. Midway into my trip, on the third day, just when I was thinking that it couldn’t get any more bizarre, here I am standing, beneath an artificial sky in Warner Brothers World in Yas Island of Abu Dhabi.

Yas Island used to be an extension of mainland Abu Dhabi before a part of it was dredged and a canal was cut to separate it from the mainland. The island was then developed as an entertainment island. It also houses the world famous Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and the Yas Marina Circuit that every year hosts the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix—a Formula One motorcar race.

Warner Brothers Abu Dhabi: A heady nostalgia of the cartoon world

In Warner Brothers theme park, I relive my childhood. The 1.65 million square feet of the park is divided into multiple sections based on their cartoon and comic universes. The sky hanging above me is just a projection. It keeps changing colours, from blue to purple to pink—the shades always hovering in the same quarter of the colour wheel.

I sit on a bench in the Central Plaza and watch the humdrum go by. There are many souvenir stores around the plaza. With no specific shopping list in mind, I casually stroll around, checking the collections. My colleague buys an interesting Batman cape for her son while I dawdle. After much consideration, I buy a Batman keychain. Following the souvenir rule in my house, I expect it to sit in my showcase for eternity and never be actually used.

People in costume entertain visitors. Every popular character developed in the Warner Brother universe can be found here. In the Scooby-Doo zone, I enter ‘the crooked house’ and chance upon a crime scene! Now that I am an adult, there is not much mystery here to be solved but I don’t care as long as it brings back nice memories of my childhood. After a confused handshake with Shaggy, a person in costume pulling off the typical doobie-head sort of Shaggy vibe effortlessly, I leave to ride the merry-go-round.

I had always wondered what it feels like to be on thrilling rides all alone. If you ride a roller coaster all alone, would you feel more terrified? Well, now I know. To me, it almost doesn’t make any difference. In fact, sans the screams and howls, even a thrilling ride could seem mellow. Being the non-touristy month of May and Ramadan— a time when the Muslims fast all day, the park is barely crowded. ‘Riddler’, the adventurous ride in the ‘Gotham’ set of the theme park has been put on just for two people, I am one of them.

So much of walking around leaves me famished, so I am happy to bite into a large chicken burger at Bronto Burgers and Ribs, an American restaurant themed on The Flintstones cartoon, located in the ‘Bedrock’ set of the park. There are other restaurants here too. There is a ‘river cruise’ in the Bedrock area that takes visitors along the coast of ‘stone age villages’. Unfortunately, this ride is shut during my visit. A little ahead in ‘Dynamite Gulch’, another roller coaster rests. Being full with food, I don’t even think about riding it.

I enjoy myself in the several simulation based 3D rides and click pictures with the characters from Warner Brother universe before bidding adieu to this nostalgia infusing (speaking from an early 90s kid perspective) theme-park.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi: For the car lovers

According to the pre-planned itinerary, my morning and afternoon both have been planned in Yas Island; so I move on from one popular Yas Island haunt to the next one—Ferrari World Abu Dhabi—an amusement park by Ferrari. I have very little interest in cars but to be honest I never got an exposure or an environment to develop a taste for automotive. Visiting Ferrari World is probably my closest brush with the world of cars.

Established in 2010 covering, 925,697 square feet, the park houses several rides, experiences and shows themed around motor vehicles, a shopping plaza and restaurants. Reflecting the modern Abu Dhabi style, the architecture and designs are futuristic. The park, which looks more like a mall from the future, is famous for the mind numbing roller coaster— Formula Rossa. I stick with safe and nice simulation based experiences though, and spend my time learning about the Italian brand Ferrari.

Some Ferrari cars rest on inclined platforms. Children drive bright red, small, mock Ferraris. Thankfully, these are not just restricted to children. I squeeze into one and get out just after taking a photo. Car lovers could collect an array of unique souvenirs from the stores. Since I am not an automotive aficionado, I feel extremely puzzled and out of place, almost wanting a personal shopper to help me.

Creepers and vines droop from the dining area, a space designed in a way to portray the vibe of Italy. In a futuristic looking mall, which is a car-themed amusement park, I take photos of ‘walkways’ that appear Italian!

Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi’s largest mall

Ferrari World is connected internally with Abu Dhabi’s largest mall— Yas Mall. I have already read how the generous and loud nomadic Bedouin never took any aesthetic pleasure in the sands, seas, and mountains, but their eyes glistened with wonder and appreciation on coming across man-made concrete structures. Modern day Abu Dhabi has verified Wilfred Thesiger’s (author of Arabian Sands) words.

Spread across an area of 2.5 million square feet, just minutes away from the airport, Yas mall is a collection of 370 international brands, 68 F&B, numerous dining outlets, 24 screen cinemas and a dedicated family entertainment zone. The three levels of the mall are packed with stores and counters catering to all budget types.

I swipe my Indian card to withdraw some cash from the ATM and move into the Japanese brand Miniso’s store to buy a bag. I end up buying bags of several sizes, colours and shapes, and nailpaints—gifts for my nieces. I have been searching something authentic to buy from this country, something that I wouldn’t easily get in India. Dates don’t fit the category. On asking an F&B store manager he points me to camel milk soaps and camel milk chocolates. I buy both. For a soap and a chocolate, they seem expensive, but I value the memories attached with the trip so I buy them anyway.

Colleagues dart their own ways, sifting through spices, coffee beans and more oudh. Soon my leg muscles pain and I take a rest stop under the open skylight of the mall. Modern art installations hang in the air, shining in the sunlight. Another time, while roaming in the mall, I come across a gurgling fountain.

Once everyone’s shopping list is exhausted, we head back to our vehicle for the next stop of the day, where a very unique experience awaits.

To watch my Yas Island (along with other places to visit) video on Youtube please click here.

Have you been to Yas Island Abu Dhabi and experienced the entertainment hotspots of Warner Bros and Ferrari World theme park? Would you be interested? Speak soon by commenting below!

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Disclaimer: Tania was hosted by Abu Dhabi Tourism Board. All thoughts and opinions expressed in the post are of her own.

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