:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/thenational/4S5Z23PQX3OQVWFQLJRQGK7ZPY.jpg)
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/thenational/0d30538e-8093-483b-9671-b522ebeb7695.png)
Atlantis The Palm's Aquaventure Waterpark is set to expand, becoming one of the biggest waterparks in the world by 2020. The 34-metre-tall Trident Tower will be built, introducing 12 new rides by next summer, it has been announced.
New slides
This includes the new world's longest ProSlide MammothBlast, a 449-metre water coaster. Rafts will speed through back-to-back curves, drops and uphill climbs powered by patented water-propulsion technology.
Next, there's the first-ever high-speed ProSlide Dueling PipelineBlast/FlyingSaucer 20 hybrid ride, which is driven by jets and pushes sliders around mammoth turns and a wide-open saucer.
Competitive sliders can also tackle the ProSlide RallyRacer 32, which allows you to battle it out with your friends.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/thenational/MRSGDZ4EV24JCQXPRBFABFQIVE.jpg)
Trident's Tower will also feature two updated versions of the existing Leap of Faith ride, each dropping more than 34 metres.
Other attractions
On top of all that, a new children's area will be introduced to the existing Splasher's Island family zone, featuring Splasher's Mountain and nine waterslides. Four mini versions of the ProSlide rides will feature, as well as a competitive mat racer ("two lanes of head-first downhill fun") and a serpentine adventure. Braver little ones can try the Kidz Tornado 24 funnel or the Kidz Bowl 14, which offer gentler, child-friendly versions of the adult rides.
The Middle East's first action river will also open, in which a current takes guests through half a kilometre of twists and turns while enjoying views of the Dubai skyline.
"We have carefully curated each attraction to ensure that we deliver first-of-its-kind ride technology for children, families and thrill-seekers alike," commented Tim Kelly, executive vice president and managing director of Atlantis The Palm and The Royal Atlantis. "Trident Tower and its record-breaking slides will be a thrilling addition to the Atlantis experience, and we look forward to the unveiling in summer 2020."
What else is new?
The waterpark currently has just over 20 rides and rivers spread across 17 hectares on Palm Jumeirah. Recently, a two-day pass was introduced, with prices starting from Dh250.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/thenational/FMRVXGQMQ662SIKHYWMLAVSG7Q.jpg)
Discounts were also rolled out, offering better deals across many of the park's experiences, including shark and ray feeding shows and unlimited rides on the new Surf's Up wave rider.
Towards the end of next year, the opening of The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences is set to take place, having been delayed from 2019. The unique architectural design of the property has made international headlines, as has the bevy of dining outlets it'll bring with it. Famed British chef Heston Blumenthal, whose restaurants have gained multiple Michelin stars, will open the Middle East's first Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, the world's third iteration of the restaurant.
Other exciting dining spots set to open there include a branch of the world-renowned Spanish spot Jaleo, the famed Cantonese restaurant Hakkasan and Ariana's Persian Kitchen by the Iranian-American celebrity TV chef and cookbook author, Ariana Bundy.