We love a rollercoaster, the thrills, spills and adrenaline-rush that comes from a couple of minutes of twisting, turning and speeding is up there with trying out a new family-friendly brunch for the first time.
Luckily for us, and you, the UAE has six world-class theme parks housing some of the most awesome attractions from racing rollercoasters and life-like 4D simulators to interactive dark rides featuring beloved characters from the movies.
There’s something for everyone from the most cautious theme park goers to the biggest daredevils. Check out our favourite rides and give them a go if you think you’re brave enough.
Bollywood Parks, Dubai
Abraa Ka Dabra
Best for: Water babies.
Don’t expect to do much screaming, at least not from fear – the cold water that splashes you might be cause to let out a squeal. This is a magical little ride onboard a floating abra set in the ancient rustic ravine. Sit tight as it tugs, swivels, twists and scoots across the rough seas and rolling waves. This one is perfect for smaller adventurers who are taking their first steps towards more thrilling attractions.
Height restriction: Minimum 120cm if accompanied by an adult.
Fear factor: 2/5.
Bollywood Skyflyer
Best for: Those who don’t get dizzy easily.
This is one of nine new rides at this Dubai Parks & Resorts Indian-themed park. Standing at an eye-watering 460-feet tall. It starts off pleasantly enough. Spinning around a tower at ground level, before you are hiked up the sparkling metal frame and spun around in a rather terrifying manor. Try not to look to closely at the wires holding you on to the tower, it might unsettle you slightly. You also might hear other riders around you screaming “Make it stop”.
Height restriction: Minimum 120cm if accompanied by an adult.
Length of ride: About two minutes.
Fear factor: 4/5.
Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi
Flying Aces
Best for: Adrenaline-junkies looking for incredible vistas.
Climb aboard an old-school military bi-plane before scaling a vertigo-inducing 63 metres at a spectacular 51-degree incline and prepare yourself for the world’s tallest inverted loop – eek! If you can, keep your eyes open as the views are pretty spectacular. Then, it’s onwards and upwards at speeds of 120 kmph towards the world’s highest roller coaster loop. Abd it’s at this point that you would be forgiven for closing your eyes, but even with them tightly closed, you’ll still feel the g-force.
Height restriction: Minimum 130cm.
Length of ride: Just under two minutes.
Fear factor: 5/5.
Formula Rossa
Best for: Formula one super fans.
This is properly terrifying. But that’s what makes it so incredible. Reaching dizzying heights of 52 metres and speeds of up to 240 kmph (from 0 kmph in just 4.9 seconds may we add), which is faster than Lewis Hamilton races around the F1 track, it’s definitely not for the faint-hearted.
Height restriction: Minimum 140cm.
Length of ride: About a minute.
Fear factor: 5/5.
IMG Worlds of Adventure
Spiderman Doc Ock’s Revenge
Best for: Mini spidey fans.
Being able to take a kiddo of just 105cm on this ride might make you think it’s tame. It is not! It’s quite literally impossible to tell whether you’re coming or going on this white-knuckle, adrenalin-inducing attraction. The ride spins, reaches crazy speeds and is mostly in the pitch dark – best of all, when you go on it for the first time you have zero idea what you’re letting yourself in for as the entire roller coaster is concealed bar a tiny snippet. There will be screams, lots of screams. Be careful when you step out as you are likely to be a little unsteady on your feet. It’s a super quick ride, both in terms of speed and length of time you’ll be subjected to the spinning.
Height restriction: Minimum 120cm or 105cm if accompanied.
Length of ride: Under a minute.
Fear factor: 4/5.
Velociraptor
Best for: Kids who love Jurassic Park and fast coaster.
This roller coaster is a definite winner, though it will make you scream right from the start all the way to the finish line. The best part is when the ride transitions from indoors to outdoors – it literally feels like you’ve broken through the wall are flying towards Emirates Road. At the spends you’re going at you’ll definitely outrun that scary T-Rex… you’ll find out what we mean.
Height restriction: Minimum 130cm.
Length of ride: About two minutes.
Fear factor: 4/5.
LEGOLAND Dubai
The Dragon
Best for: Beginner rollercoaster fans.
Without doubt the fastest and most thrilling attraction at this colourful theme park, where a majority of the rides are aimed at younger children. The Dragon is the perfect option for mini rollercoaster fans who are ready for a taste of speed and a smidgen of thrill, before taking on the more hair-raising rides at the adjacent Motiongate, Dubai. Once you’ve moved slowly through the tunnel dotted with robotic LEGO wizards and dragons, you’ll be lulled into a false sense of security before the ride rollercoaster soars like a block-built dragon, with plenty of twists, turns and a marvellous view of the more than 100 LEGO built structures throughout the park.
Height restriction: Minimum 130cm or 120cm if accompanied.
Length of ride: Seven minutes.
Fear factor: 3/5.
Wave Racers
Best for: Kids who need a cool down.
This is tame, but fun. You get the opportunity to skim across a pool in a mini speedboat cart that allows you to shoot water at your fellow riders. Be warned though, there are also water guns strategically placed around the pool who are only too happy to give you a little soaking as you whizz by… you just have to hope their aim is off!
Height restriction: Minimum 105cm.
Fear factor: 1/5.
Motiongate Dubai
Capitol Bullet Train
Best for: Hardcore thrill-seekers.
You’ll find this hair-raising, half-pipe coaster in the Hunger Games zone of the park. Shoot backwards, then forwards, then backwards again as the train builds up momentum before thrusting you into what feels like a very slow-motion upside down loop. Expect out-of-this-world insane speeds, drops and jerky turns. You have to have nerves, not to mention stomach, of steel t ride this one.
Height restriction: Minimum 130cm.
Length of ride: Two minutes.
Fear factor: 5/5.
Dragon Gliders
Best for: Everyone.
One of our favourite rides not just at Motiongate, but taking into account all of the UAE’s attractions. It’s got something for everyone – great music from How to Train Your Dragon, a couple of scary moments, a fun story, height, speed and suspense. Go on a journey with Hiccup, Toothless and Astrid through the caves and on to the Forbidden Island. This is the kind of ride that as it comes to a stop you are already contemplating how quickly you can race around to join the back of the queue to ride it again. As soon as little ones are tall enough, take them on it, it’s a lovely family ride that’s so much more than a roller coaster.
Height restriction: Minimum 105cm.
Length of ride: Just under four minutes.
Fear factor: 5/5.
Madagascar Mad Pursuit
Best for: Anyone who likes a good scream.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that because it’s based on a children’s cartoon that this is a kids’ ride. You just have to watch the warning videos as you stand in the queue waiting to take your seat in the colourful cart to know you’re in for something fairly terrifying. The carriage starts off slowly working its way around the track, alongside characters from the Madagascar movie. But a brightly lit tunnel looms in front of you, which you are hurled into at great speed before dropping and climbing among the kooky visuals. Expect a lot of screaming (and not just from the younger riders).
Height restriction: Minimum 125cm.
Length of ride: Just over a minute.
Fear factor: 5/5.
Shrek
Best for: Tiny tots who watch Shrek on a loop.
You’ll know the story of Shrek… probably watched it upwards of fifty times. This interactive ride tells the whole story of the grumpy ogre and his beloved Princess Fiona. Take a spin around the swamp and witness the whole fairy tale unfold before your eyes. Really little ones may be a bit spooked by the appearance of the dragon in the tower. You have been warned.
Height restriction: Minimum 105cm.
Length of ride: Three minutes.
Fear factor: 1/5.
The Green Hornet
Best for: Brave kids with a need for speed.
You don’t have to be particularly tall to be able to ride The Green Hornet, which may lull you into a false sense of security. A high speed chase through a junkyard full of hazards and goons trying to fight you may not sounds appealing, but turn it into a rollercoaster and we have a winner. Based on the masked crime fighting superhero of the same name, this rollercoasters will have you zipping around at 31mph all while trying to help the Green Hornet and his trusty assistant Kato. Go on, they can’t save the day without you. Kids will love it, parents may feel a little queasy as they step out the other side. The things we do!
Height restriction: Minimum 105cm.
Length of ride: Just over a minute.
Fear factor: 3/5.
Warner BroS world Abu Dhabi
Cheese Spin
Best for: The whole family as you can all pile into one cart.
As the queue winds its way through Tom and Jerry’s house, you’ll be lulled into a false sense of security that this is going to be an easy ride. It’s not. As the bar comes down on your Swiss cheese car, you may begin to question this idea, and as you are dragged slowly higher and higher up the track, it becomes obvious that the only way is down – and fast. Speed through a dark, UV-lit space – oh, and your cart spins round uncontrollably too. One to do before lunch.
Height restriction: Minimum 110cm.
Length of ride: Just over a minute.
Fear factor: 3/5.
Fast and Furry-ous
Best for: Those who enjoy the thril, but want it to be over quickly.
Remember the Road Runner and his arch nemesis Wile. E Coyote haring around the canyons at break-neck speed? Well, this ride emulates that totally hectic scenario. You’ll sit in a cart with rockets attached to the side, hanging below the track. Start off going up… slowly… but what goes up, has to come down… fast! It’s over pretty quickly, but you can just rush around the back of the queue for another go, trust us, you’ll want to.
Height restriction: Minimum 130cm.
Length of ride: Just under a minute.
Fear factor: 3/5.
Want more? Check out our awesome
Every Ride Tried series at www.youtube.com/TimeOutGCC where we take on every ride and attraction at the UAE’s brilliant theme parks.
