Ferrari World to rev up another record-breaking coaster
UAE’s Yas Island theme park resort to expand
Before we get to the Middle East, let’s focus on a stateside Six Flags park. The company announced that it would be closing Six Flags America in Maryland at the end of this season. First opened as Wild World in 1982 and later renamed Adventure World, the chain had operated the park since 1999. Although it caught me off guard, I can’t say that I’m surprised by the decision. The much-maligned Six Flags America has never been one of the company’s more popular parks, and with the nearby Kings Dominion now part of the fold, perhaps the writing was on the wall.
I thought the park was fine and especially enjoyed Superman: Ride of Steel (which is not on the level of Intamin’s next evolution of the Superman hypercoaster at Six Flags New England, but still pretty wonderful), the wooden coaster, Roar, and The Wild One during my visits. That last one is a vintage wooden coaster that dates back to 1917 and is the oldest still-operating coaster in the U.S. It was transplanted from Paragon Park in Massachusetts. As a coaster fan and Boston-area native, I shudder to consider the fate of the beloved ride (and the park’s other coasters for that matter).
The company has no intention of selling the park to another operator and will instead market the 500-acre property for redevelopment. So, bid adieu to roller coasters and get ready for what will likely be yet another nondescript condo project.
On a more positive note, Cedar Point reopened Top Thrill 2 when the park kicked off its new season this past weekend. The highly anticipated, but troubled ride operated for only eight days when it debuted last year. I was among the lucky few that got to experience Top Thrill 2, and I can assure you that it’s worth the wait.
One of the world’s hottest theme park markets is about to get even hotter. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates is already home to the world’s fastest roller coaster, the 149-mph Formula Rossa. Now comes word that the park, which pays homage to the legendary Italian automaker, will be adding another record-breaking ride to its lineup.
The “significant and signature ride in Ferrari World will have four records worldwide, and roller coaster fans will be very excited to hear that news soon,” teased Mohamed Al Zaabi, chief executive of Miral, the company that operates Yas Island. The theme park resort includes Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, and Yas Waterworld, along with the Ferrari park.
We will just have to wait for the details, but coaster fans can’t help but wonder what records the new ride will set. Will it be faster than Formula Rossa? Park operators in the Middle East seem to love claiming bragging rights, and the Miral folks are probably none too happy that it will lose the world’s fastest coaster crown to Six Flags Qiddiya City in Saudi Arabia, which will soon be opening the 155-mph Falcon’s Flight.
That ride will soar to a height of 640 feet, crushing the record for world’s tallest coaster. Might the new Ferrari World ride go even higher? According to respected industry expert Dennis Speigel of International Theme Park Services, a 1,000-foot-tall roller coaster is in development by an undisclosed manufacturer, and its location will be announced soon. Will Ferrari World be the location?
In addition to the new coaster, Al Zaabi says that two more “signature”attractions are on the way to the highly regarded Warner Bros. World as well as two new lands: the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and one featuring the DC Universe. 12 new slides and experiences are set to open at Yas Waterworld this year, representing the first phase of an expansion at the water park. A new SeaSub experience that recently opened at SeaWorld allows guests to explore the park’s massive aquarium in a submersible vehicle. The resort currently has eight hotels; there are plans to increase the number of rooms by “at least 30%” over the next five years according to Al Zaabi.
The Miral executive says that all of the recent and planned development is necessary to accommodate the resort’s burgeoning crowds. Yas Island reported 38 million visits last year, an increase of 10%. The theme parks experienced a 20% attendance growth in 2024, breaking all records for the property, Al Zaabi says. International visitors to the Abu Dhabi parks increased by 40% last year.
As if all of this news isn’t eventful enough, there is some buzz swirling that Disney may be making an announcement soon about a project in the UAE, possibly at Yas Island. That would create quite a hubbub in the Middle East country.
What records do you think the Ferrari World coaster will break? Have you visited Yas Island? Might you want to plan a visit? What are your thoughts about Six Flags America closing?
Another terrific article, Arthur! I didn't realize the roller coaster from Paragon Park was moved to Six Flags America. Like you, I find it said that that coaster may have met its demise.