YAS PLEASE
Andy Gilpin turns up and tunes in to the wild new Warner Bros World in flashy Abu Dhabi
Bugs Bunny has come up in the world. After years living in a hole, he now resides in an air-conditioned $1billion purpose-built palace in the middle of the desert.
No expense is spared for Bugs at the brand new Warner Bros World attraction in Abu Dhabi. In fact he greets you in a top hat, covered in gold as you walk in. Look at him now – he’s 21 carrot.
This extravagance sums up all 1.6million sq ft of the Middle East’s newest theme park – there truly is no expense spared.
Ever wanted to help Superman battle alien hordes in futuristic Metropolis or foil the Riddler’s fiendish schemes in dark and dangerous Gotham?
One of the world’s biggest indoor theme parks lets you live out all these fantasies – and away from that searing desert heat.
The different ‘worlds’ are all accessible from the central Warner Bros Plaza, as they try to appeal to everyone from superhero thrillseekers to kids who just want to see Jerry give Tom his comeuppance.
On the pleasure island of Yas, just a quick bunny hop from Abu Dhabi airport, Warner Bros is the latest weapon to get pleasure-seekers flocking to the UAE.
We stayed at the Yas Rotana hotel with its views of the Grand Prix track, large pool, good range of food and close proximity to three of the world’s most impressive fun parks. Warner is the latest piece in that jigsaw, which also includes adrenalin rides at next door Ferrari World – such as Formula Rossa, which rockets you to 150mph in just 4.9 seconds – and Yas Waterpark.
You can get a ticket for all three but we were here to meet Bugs plus Batman, Superman, Fred Flintstone and Wile E Coyote. And meet them we did in a giant indoor complex filled with secrets. Delve inside Tom and Jerry’s house in Cartoon Junction to find a hidden rollercoaster. Over in Gotham City, the Scarecrow Scare ride has an added joystick that spins you a full 360 degrees in midair for terror that you control.
The six zones are the Central Plaza, Metropolis, Gotham City, Cartoon Junction, Gulch Canyon and Bedrock – walk from one to another with ease.
All are different, and have their own lighting and 3D effects, from the darkness of Gotham to the multi-coloured tomfoolery of Cartoon Junction.
And it’s all about making the most of space. Take Riddler’s Revolution. Based in a rundown warehouse lair, strap yourself on to a dizzying disc that spins you around and around and up and down as you travel through city mists into the inner reaches of Gotham.
You’ll think you’re heading into the scenery as it pushes you higher
You whizz about cartoon worlds on 3D rides
and faster. And the park is a truly interactive experience, with a host of 3D rides in the 29 to choose from.
These include the fully immersive Ani-Mayhem experience as you try to stop the Looney Tunes Universe descending into (more) chaos.
You’re whizzed around cartoon worlds in a car full of six infra-red scanner-slingers taking a tour of the universe, shooting parcels to get them posted off to the likes of Mr W E Coyote.
Ever seen the cartoon where the afore-mentioned Coyote straps the ACME rocket to his back and fires himself after the elusive Roadrunner?
If you ever thought “that looks a good idea”, then over in Gulch Canyon there’s a short but sweet rollercoaster set in the familiar rocky backdrop. The Fast and Furry-ious ride twists and turns as you fly over the heads of people underneath, legs dangling as you try to catch Roadrunner.
In Bedrock you can enjoy a Brontosaurus Burger (note: no Brontosauruses were harmed in the making of this burger) at the diner.
You can even jump into Fred’s car outside, before taking a leisurely trip on the Bedrock River Adventure.
That takes you through a day in the life of the town’s most famous residents with the obligatory water drop at the end.
This involves a good dose of storytelling, but the fun bit isn’t too manic or scary. And this may be part of the park’s problem. Great for young children – especially if they know the characters – Warner Bros World may lack signature rides to really keep teens and adults gripped.
Even bits for older kids – Gotham and Metropolis – have attractions that are more reminiscent of fairground rides rather than a high-octane theme park.
Bring the whole family though and there’s so much to discover and it’s so polished they’ll be wowed.
And it might be chance for you to introduce the kids to some of your childhood favourites in an interactive make-believe land.
Will Flintstones fans enjoy their new no-expense-spared home in middle of the Arabian desert?
I bet they Abu Dhabi-Do.