The little t guide to… Holidaying in the Emirates (Part 5)

If you don’t like theme parks, we can’t be friends anymore.  Harsh, but there’s no point pretending.  It’s just not going to work out between the two of us, because, well, I don’t get you.

I like theme parks.  A lot.  I also like cars, and all things Italian.  So you can understand my delight at the thought of spending the day at Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi.

I am equally excited about two things:

Thing 1: Formula Rossa is the fastest rollercoaster in the world (in the world!)- you have to wear safety googles! I’m wondering will the experience induce fits of panic similar to the last time I wore safety goggles?

Thing 2: G-Force.  You are launched 620 metres into the sky, given a couple of seconds to catch your breath (I think) and then plummeted back to the ground again. Fun.

I am only marginally less excited about the food.  Italian food is my absolute favourite and the pizza at Mamma Rossella is supposed to be uh-mazing.  I propose we do it Italian-style while we’re here.  Proper.  A cup of Italian coffee (with crema, Fi), biscotti, house-made gelato… I say yes to that.

Bell’Italia is the perfect after-dinner activity.  It’s labelled as a kids’ attraction in the brochure, but that sucks if you ask me. When has a child ever dreamed of cruising around Italy in their own Ferrari? Never. I own that dream.

Great thought went into the clever design of a miniature Italy, complete with all the famous landmarks and racing tracks. Even the grass and plants used in its landscaping is native to Italy. You can walk around it or tour in a small-scale Ferrari 250 California (circa 1958).

I have similar feelings about the carousel. Who decided carousels are for children? Even I feel a little silly hopping up when I don’t have a token child with me to hold responsible. Ferrari’s take on the carousel substitutes future Ferrari prototypes for the traditional horses, so I suspect I won’t be the only adult there eager for a  road-test.

If you fancy proving your driving skills,  you can take on the professionals in the Scuderia challenge:

This is the ultimate in state of the art racing experiences- these are the same simulators as those used by Scuderia drivers in training.

As I mentioned before, multimedia presentations do it for me, but I know at least one other person who is going to love The Racing Legends: a journey through history! With footage from the 1950’s first Italian road rallies, its like taking a step back in history, kind-of.  There’s also a 4D virtual tour of the factory in Maranello to find out how they make these beauties.

Swoooooooooooon.

(See Part 4 of my guide to the Emirates here!)