Ferrari World Abu Dhabi gears up for grand opening in 2010
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi – Click above for high-res image gallery
Television coverage of Formula One grands prix typically end with an aerial shot of the podium and the fans beneath it, a panorama usually dominated by the tifosi passing a giant Scuderia Ferrari flag over the crowd. That view may have been largely absent with the void of Ferrari victories this season, but if you were watching the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this past weekend you might have noticed something even bigger: the site of Ferrari World, the new theme park being constructed adjacent to the marina circuit on Yas Island.
The park can easily be picked out from the air, housed in a giant red roof that sports a 200-foot-tall Ferrari logo, the largest ever made. With doors set to open in the new year, details are now being released while work is underway on the attractions that will be included in the 200,000 square meters (over two million square feet) of indoor space dedicated to the park.
Among the 20+ rides that will be housed in the largest indoor park on earth will be the world's fastest roller coaster, a g-force drop tower breaching the 150-foot-high red steel roof to extend over 200 feet into the sky, racing simulators, karting and a flume ride through a giant Ferrari engine. Of course there will be plenty of hospitality and shopping to go along with the rides, more of which you can read about in the press release after the jump.
Gallery: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
[Source: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi]
PRESS RELEASE:
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Overview
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, set to open in 2010, is the world's first Ferrari theme park and largest attraction of its kind. It will be an intense multi-sensory experience and a must-visit for enthusiasts, fans and families. The Park pays tribute to the passion, excellence, performance, technical innovation that Ferrari has established over the years and represents today. Its iconic sleek red roof is directly inspired by the classic double curve side profile of the Ferrari GT body, spanning 200,000 m2 and carrying the largest Ferrari logo ever created.
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi will host a number of attractions, including rides for children of all ages, providing the complete Ferrari experience: over 20 state-of-the-art attractions, each designed to bring to life a different part of the Ferrari story, including the world's fastest rollercoaster, travelling at speeds exceeding 200 km/h and emulating the thrilling sensation of being in a Ferrari F1 car, or the G-force experience taking passengers on an adrenaline-pumping ride up over 62 m, through the roof and back down again.
The Park is located on Yas Island - set to become a global tourist destination with a wide range of accommodation and entertainment facilities - on the North East side of Abu Dhabi's mainland. Abu Dhabi, at the crossroads between Europe, Asia and Africa, was chosen as the ideal location to build the Ferrari theme park, motor sports being extremely popular in the United Arab Emirates. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi will offer a unique and intensely fun way, together with a wide variety of Italian delicaciesand of course unique shopping experiences.
The Park is owned by Aldar Properties PJSC, Abu Dhabi's leading property development, management and investment company. Farah Leisure Parks Management L.L.C, a joint venture between Aldar Properties PJSC and ProFun Management Group Inc. (international leisure facilities management and operating company) will be responsible for managing and operating Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. Ferrari's key principles of excellence and performance in the context of technological innovation will underpin every aspect of the project.
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
Key information
General
* World's first Ferrari theme park
* World's largest indoor park
* Opening in 2010
* Owned by Aldar Properties PJSC
* Managed by Farah Leisure Parks Management L.L.C, a joint venture between Aldar Properties PJSC and ProFun Management Group Inc.
* Located on Yas Island on the North East side of Abu Dhabi's mainland
* Yas Island is a 10-minute drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport, 30 minutes from the city of Abu Dhabi, and 50 minutes from Dubai
* Adjacent to the Yas Marina Circuit, hosting the inaugural 2009 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Building
* Designed by globally renown architectural firm Benoy
* Building height is 45m (147.6 ft), with a roof edge circumference of 2,200 m (7217.8 ft)
* Enclosed space (area accessible to the general public) is 100,000 m2 (1,076,391 sq ft)
* Over 35,000 tonnes of steel have been used to reinforce the structure
* Landscaped area around the main building is 450,000 m2 (4,843,759 sq ft)
Roof
* Design inspired by the classic double curve side profile of the Ferrari GT body
* Made from metal and glass designed to reduce glare and heat
* Total surface area is 200,000 m2 (2,152,782 sq ft)
* The Ferrari logo is 65m x 48.5m, the largest Ferrari logo ever created
* Highest point is 48m, with a total of 6,900 meters of roof guttering
Rides
* Designed by one of the world's most prominent design firms Jack Rouse Associates
* Over 20 state-of-the-art rides and attractions.
* Featured attractions include:
o The world's fastest roller coaster emulating the feeling of being in an F1 car
o G-force experience taking passengers on an adrenaline-pumping ride up over 62m, through the roof and back down again
o State-of-the-art racing simulators using a similar system as those used by the Ferrari racing team
o Flume ride journey through the heart of a Ferrari 599 engine
o Driving and Racing school for junior drivers, with expert training
o Aerial voyage over Italy following a Ferrari
Food & Beverage
* A broad range of dining, quick service and beverage locations offering Italian inspired delicacies as well as a variety of international dishes.
* Highlights include:
o Two restaurants inspired by the real Maranello food experience
o A true Italian ambiance of a traditional delicatessen, including:
+ Customized fresh pasta and pizza made-to-order
+ An array of international dishes to satisfy all tastes
Shopping
* Visitors can expect a retail experience that celebrates Ferrari's rich heritage in a way never seen before.
* Highlights include:
o 825 m2 store celebrating Ferrari's rich history with vintage and contemporary racing memorabilia
o Souvenir photo opportunities for capturing the thrill of the moment
o "Interactive Corners" where children can customize their own park souvenirs
o 1300 m2 flagship store offering Ferrari and special Ferrari World Abu Dhabi items
For further information: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi - www.ferrariworldabudhabi.com
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Daniel Spielman 6:03PM (11/02/2009)
But will it blend?
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John H. 6:47PM (11/02/2009)
Does it need to look like a Biohazard symbol?
Venom 6:06PM (11/02/2009)
Ferrari World.
I have the biggest grin on my face that I can't wipe off.
Now I know where I want to work at when I retire.
I guess I will be taking a trip to Abu Dhabi next year.
Awesome.
That roof looks awesome.
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Britsarenotfunny 6:13PM (11/02/2009)
More than you can afford pal
FURRRARRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
meh...
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Gruv 6:14PM (11/02/2009)
Am I the only one who is completely sick of these Sheiks having a trillion dollars and gold plated everything? I love internal combustion, but every time I see Autoblog run a story like this it makes me want to buy an electric car. These arabs did NOTHING for motorsports, since the dawn of time. Now, suddenly since they were sitting on some oil, they have basically ALL the Veyrons in the world, and gold plate everything?
UGH.
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ALBGunner04 6:16PM (11/02/2009)
I'm jealous too, but what can you do?
Tony 6:16PM (11/02/2009)
Is that a twinge of jealousy coming from your keyboard?
Gruv 6:30PM (11/02/2009)
In 1970, most buildings in Abu Dhabi were MUD HUTS. Their primary source of trade was CAMELS. But nope, since Sheiks took over with their oil money, now it's FERRARI WORLD. Personally if I owned Ferrari I'd tell them to piss off. This is the same area that threw someone in jail for 20 years because there was a piece of marijuana stuck in the tread of his shoe.
Middle East= CRAP.
fizzandpop 6:43PM (11/02/2009)
They don't call it Douchebai for nothing. In fact they don't call it Douchebai at all, they call it Abu Dhabi. But you get my point. I'm inferring that with wealth comes douchebaggery, from the native population and expats alike. It's nature's way. From Orange county to Singapore, the popped collar rules everything.
Flea 6:55PM (11/02/2009)
chill dude, I know your feelings, but keep in mind that if there's one situation where "good things don't last" applies, it's sheiks getting a free ticket to billionaire land just for the merit of having been born with their father's asses sitting on a trillion barrels of oil.
One day the rest of the world, with it's average-salaried workers, will have moved on to hybrid/electric cars with electricity coming from nuclear and renewable sources. Then it'll be back to mud huts and camels for these guys, since they won't have learned to do a goddamn other thing in the meantime.
Just wait when Dubai suddely realizes it can't keep paying people to mop the sand off highways and airports anymore, that'll be the beginning of the most entertaining bubble burst in the century.
miles 7:32PM (11/02/2009)
Our petrodollars at work.
Al Terego 11:56PM (11/02/2009)
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! ARABS BLAHBLAHBLAHBLAH!!!!!"
Just need to cry a little because I too, realize that there are people much, much more fortunate than me in this world. That, and also my sense of entitlement is skewed but hey, don't blame me for that.
Quan 1:55AM (11/03/2009)
I just wanted to say Dubai actually only depends on oil for less than a third of its GDP today. The government has invested really heavily in developing infrastructure for a lot of industries outside of oil. To stereotype them as people mopping sand, etc is a very antiquated view of what Dubai actually is today.
ALBGunner04 6:15PM (11/02/2009)
My dream is to go there one day.
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Hike15 6:23PM (11/02/2009)
Adding to my dreams of visiting the UAE. First Dubai, now Ferrari world. Wow. at least we know that oil money is going somewhere that us enthusiasts can enjoy.
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larry raines 6:26PM (11/02/2009)
What the heck do roller coasters have to do with autosports?
similar sensations?
and what else are you going to do in Abu Dhabi?
This is like Vegas, build it and they will come.
all seems pretty lame to me, not worth the cost of getting there. For that cost I could buy a cart and go out every weekend.
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larry raines 6:28PM (11/02/2009)
you dream of going to the UAE to do what?
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Gruv 6:31PM (11/02/2009)
Getting thrown in jail for 20 years for drinking or smoking. That sounds like a blast. Oh, and the women have to wear fabric to cover everything.
What a "GREAAATTT" place. Seriously.
larry raines 6:34PM (11/02/2009)
yea, really, who wants to go there and why? To ride a roller coaster and buy a T shirt?
Rob47 7:16PM (11/02/2009)
Erm... Gruv, they don't disallow smoking at all infact they love it it's one of the few countries ive been to that still allow me to smoke wherever the hell I like. As for the drinking they have lightened up on it significantly the bars even serve alcohol during Ramadan now. You sir are a close minded arse.