Yas Island will become home to Disneyland Abu Dhabi – the first new Disney theme park in nearly a decade, it was announced this week.
While the news has sparked excitement across the UAE, the park is not expected to be completed until the early 2030s. Meanwhile, theme park enthusiasts have plenty of options across the Emirates to explore.
From Ferrari World, home to the world’s fastest roller coaster, to Real Madrid World, for fans of the Spanish football club, here’s a look at the theme parks you can visit right now.
Abu Dhabi
Ferrari World Yas Island
Construction began: November 2007
Opened: November 2010
Size: 86,000 square metres
The indoor theme park is entirely based around the Italian car manufacturer Ferrari. It includes the Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest roller coaster, and a ride in which you travel around a miniature world in tiny Ferraris, as well as a virtual tour of the Ferrari factory and Ferrari memorabilia.
Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi
Construction began: July 2010
Opened: January 2013
Size: More than 15 hectares
The Emirati-themed water park has more than 40 rides, slides and attractions, including the Dawwama, a six-person tornado water-coaster, and the Bandit Bomber, a suspended roller-coaster with water and laser effects. The attraction also has a wave pool, lazy river and pearl-diving experience that highlights the UAE’s maritime heritage.
The water park's extension will open this summer, with 12 additional rides and slides, along with a new dining concept.
Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi
Construction began: July 2015
Opened: July 2018
Size: 153,000 square metres
The indoor park is themed around Warner Bros characters. It features six immersive lands including Gotham City, Metropolis and Cartoon Junction, where visitors can meet Batman, Superman, Bugs Bunny, Scooby-Doo and The Flintstones. There are also 4D simulators, dark rides and family-friendly attractions.
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
Construction began: October 2018
Opened: May 2023
Size: 183,000 square metres
The Abu Dhabi site is SeaWorld's first outpost outside North America. There are eight themed marine realms across a five-storey indoor venue that covers 183,000 square metres. Similar to its parks in the US, there are rides, interactive exhibits and an aquarium that houses 150 marine species, such as sharks, manta rays and sea turtles, plus reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. There are retail outlets where visitors can buy themed souvenirs, as well as several dining options.
Dubai
Motiongate Dubai
Construction began: October 2018
Opened: May 2023
Size: 18 hectares
The Hollywood-inspired theme park is at Dubai Parks and Resorts. All its attractions and rides are based on franchises from studios such as Sony, Comcast and Lionsgate. There are five areas, including Columbia Pictures, DreamWorks and Studio Central, plus seven roller-coasters and one water ride.
Real Madrid World
Construction began: November 2022
Opened: April 2024
Size: Six hectares
Formerly known as Bollywood Parks Dubai, the world's first Real Madrid-themed amusement park is spread across three zones: Champions Avenue, Celebration Plaza and Stars Avenue. It offers more than 40 themed rides, attractions and experiences, including the region’s first wooden roller-coaster, the world's tallest amusement ride, a Real Madrid trophies arena, restaurants and shops, where visitors can buy personalised merchandise.
IMG Worlds of Adventure
Construction began: February 2013
Opened: August 2016
Size: 14 hectares
The indoor amusement park is divided into five zones – two of which are based on Cartoon Network and the Marvel universe. The Cartoon Network zone features some of its most popular characters, including Ben 10 and the Powerpuff Girls. There are also rides and attractions based on Adventure Time and The Amazing World of Gumball. The Marvel area features character-inspired rides, including the Thor Thunder Spin, a spinning water ride; Spider-Man Doc Ock's Revenge, a roller coaster with 180-degree views; and the Avengers Battle of Ultron guided vehicle ride.
Legoland Dubai
Construction began: April 2014
Opened: October 2016
Size: 2.3 million square metres
The first Legoland park in the Middle East has six themed lands: Factory, Lego City, Imagination, Kingdoms, Adventure and Miniland (where more than 20 million Lego bricks are used to create 15,000 miniature models of landmarks and structures from around the world). There are more than 40 interactive rides, shows and attractions, including two roller-coasters and one water ride.
Wild Wadi Waterpark
Construction began: June 1997
Opened: August 1999
Size: 4.8 hectares
The outdoor water park at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel has a wave pool, water slides and two artificial surfing machines. There is an 18-metre waterfall that goes off every 10 minutes.
Aquaventure World
Construction began: 2006
Opened: September 2008
Size: 22.5 hectares
Aquaventure World at Atlantis, the Palm is one of the largest water parks in the world and has 105 slides and rides. It was expanded in March 2021, earning the Guinness World Records title for the most water slides in a water park in September 2022.
Al Ain
Hili Fun City
Construction began: Early 1980s
Opened: 1985
Size: 85 hectares
One of the UAE’s oldest theme parks, Hili Fun City has more than 30 attractions spread across a family-friendly venue. It features classic fairground rides, roller-coasters, a mini train, bumper cars and arcade games. There's also an Olympic-sized ice rink, landscaped picnic areas and green spaces. The park underwent a major renovation in 2009 to update its facilities.
Sharjah
Al Montazah Parks
Construction began: Early 1970s
Opened: 1979
Size: 126,000 square metres
The park, on Flag Island, was relaunched in 2018. It is split into two zones: Pearls Kingdom, a water park with slides, wave pools, a lazy river and splash areas, and Island of Legends, a theme park inspired by international folklore. Attractions include family rides, a Ferris wheel, roller-coasters and themed play zones. It also hosts cultural events and has gardens and cafes dotted around the park.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 363hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh184,500
Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Director: Paul Weitz
Stars: Kevin Hart
3/5 stars
Quick facts on cancer
- Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
- About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
- By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
- 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
- This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
- At least one third of common cancers are preventable
- Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
- Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies
- The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
TOUCH RULES
Touch is derived from rugby league. Teams consist of up to 14 players with a maximum of six on the field at any time.
Teams can make as many substitutions as they want during the 40 minute matches.
Similar to rugby league, the attacking team has six attempts - or touches - before possession changes over.
A touch is any contact between the player with the ball and a defender, and must be with minimum force.
After a touch the player performs a “roll-ball” - similar to the play-the-ball in league - stepping over or rolling the ball between the feet.
At the roll-ball, the defenders have to retreat a minimum of five metres.
A touchdown is scored when an attacking player places the ball on or over the score-line.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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