ABU DHABI // Those looking for a wet and wild time at Yas Waterworld over the weekend were disappointed when security staff had to shut down the entrance to the park on Saturday after an unruly crowd tried to rush inside past security.
The incident occurred during ‘Teacher’s Appreciation Day’, which offered “to celebrate the hard work and dedication of teachers in the UAE”.
As part of the event, educators were offered free admission for themselves and up to three friends and family members, along with a free buffet lunch and a discount on merchandise.
Gayle Sinclair, a resident of Mohammed bin Zayed City, attended with a group including her husband, who is a teacher, and their two children.
She said her party of 10 arrived before 10am to avoid the crowds and made it inside within 15 minutes.
“The line seemed long but everyone there at that time was queued up respectfully and the processing didn’t take long at all,” she said. “There were lots of people there but it didn’t seem as busy as we expected it to be.”
Upon leaving at 2pm, Ms Sinclair said security officials at the park escorted her group through a separate exit after staff had closed the front gates.
“There was a small group of people waiting outside the door where we exited and security was trying to keep them back, as it seemed like they were trying to get in through that door.
“At the main gate there was a very large mass of people with no order whatsoever,” she said.
“Supposedly staff and security were refusing entrance to anyone else due to the mentality of those trying to enter, and safety.”
According to a statement from Yas Waterworld, the park had reached full capacity.
“The health and safety of our visitors is of the utmost importance, therefore guests arriving during this busy time were instead offered a complimentary visit to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi,” the statement said.
Ms Sinclair said her group had “a lovely time at the park, and the teachers in our group appreciated being appreciated”.
“I just hope that an isolated incident doesn’t stop local businesses from appreciating teachers and other deserving groups.”
esamoglou@thenational.ae
