I faced it but failed to ace it. My fear of speed on undulating coaster tracks that is. We were at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi last month. It's a huge indoor theme park running on the Ferrari theme. You can pretty much tell that speed and red are big at this park - two things that get me a little nail-biting nervous and cranky. If it wasn't for the theme park junkie who is the husband, I'd much rather be on a random desert or beach trip.
It's basically like the Disneyland of Ferrari. If you've experienced Disneyland, then you'd know of the kind of rides that I'm talking about. Indoor water rides, themed introductory rides, coasters and various games. The difference is that this park is entirely indoors (except for the coasters) and the rides are meant to give you a look and experience into the world of Ferrari and its technology. In short, it's the ultimate Ferrari show-off.
The highlight at the park has to be the Formula Rosso roller coaster. The queue for this ride is always snaking out far up to the entrance of the area, and I think you can guess why. The coasters are not only designed to look like the exact Scuderia Rosso Formula 1 machines but they also travel at a matching Grand Prix speed. The fastest coaster in the world shoots from zero to 240kmph under 5 seconds for 52m and takes you through the rest of the 2.07km track inspired by some of world's famous race tracks.
Amazing facts. But I was terrified, not amazed when I got in there. Seeing every one else buckled up, settled and excited didn't pacify me one bit. I just wanted to get over with it and if I survived, I was going to adopt a child from the World Vision child sponsorship programme. Yes, I actually made vows! The husband next to me was a manic, fireball of excitement - I couldn't bring myself to dump water to the fire by quitting.
Just before my life could flash before me, our car took off, accelerating at the devil's speed! I felt like my organs were switching places and after the 52m point, I just wanted everything to stop. The crazy elevations and corners almost sucked the life out of me. My poor neck. I'm glad it didn't snap. It has to be the longest, scariest 2km ride of my life that actually left me feeling jet-lagged! The husband was still bubbling with excitement, a phenomenon I wish he had when he's doing runs at the parks. If it wasn't for the hour long queue, he'd gone on a second ride I'm sure.
I can now say I've survived the fastest coaster in the world. I faced a fear but didn't quite ace it as it made me feel unwell. Perhaps not my kind of adrenalin rush :) I'm still going to sponsor a child though.
*Post inspired by Mama Kat's: Talk about a time you faced a fear.
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| The park is an impressive steel structure with machines like this on random display. |
It's basically like the Disneyland of Ferrari. If you've experienced Disneyland, then you'd know of the kind of rides that I'm talking about. Indoor water rides, themed introductory rides, coasters and various games. The difference is that this park is entirely indoors (except for the coasters) and the rides are meant to give you a look and experience into the world of Ferrari and its technology. In short, it's the ultimate Ferrari show-off.
The highlight at the park has to be the Formula Rosso roller coaster. The queue for this ride is always snaking out far up to the entrance of the area, and I think you can guess why. The coasters are not only designed to look like the exact Scuderia Rosso Formula 1 machines but they also travel at a matching Grand Prix speed. The fastest coaster in the world shoots from zero to 240kmph under 5 seconds for 52m and takes you through the rest of the 2.07km track inspired by some of world's famous race tracks.
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| This photo may not do justice to the experience. |
Amazing facts. But I was terrified, not amazed when I got in there. Seeing every one else buckled up, settled and excited didn't pacify me one bit. I just wanted to get over with it and if I survived, I was going to adopt a child from the World Vision child sponsorship programme. Yes, I actually made vows! The husband next to me was a manic, fireball of excitement - I couldn't bring myself to dump water to the fire by quitting.
Just before my life could flash before me, our car took off, accelerating at the devil's speed! I felt like my organs were switching places and after the 52m point, I just wanted everything to stop. The crazy elevations and corners almost sucked the life out of me. My poor neck. I'm glad it didn't snap. It has to be the longest, scariest 2km ride of my life that actually left me feeling jet-lagged! The husband was still bubbling with excitement, a phenomenon I wish he had when he's doing runs at the parks. If it wasn't for the hour long queue, he'd gone on a second ride I'm sure.
I can now say I've survived the fastest coaster in the world. I faced a fear but didn't quite ace it as it made me feel unwell. Perhaps not my kind of adrenalin rush :) I'm still going to sponsor a child though.
*Post inspired by Mama Kat's: Talk about a time you faced a fear.
Good on you with the sponsoring a child thing Jaya, that's so awesome. Also glad to hear that you faced your fears, this park sounds like such a great place to visit, I'll have to check it out some time if I'm ever in that part of the world, I love Formula One!
ReplyDeleteYou might like this park a lot :)
DeleteI'd give it a go, but yeah would be a bit hesitate to do it too, still what the heck, congrats on making it out with no cracked neck haha
ReplyDeleteYeah no cracked neck!
Delete:)
Going up and down humps at high speed isn't like a race track and I'm not surprised it gave you the collywobbles. The exciting thing is making turns. As Jackie Stewart said:
ReplyDelete"A car is like a woman. Cornering is like bringing her to a climax".
Anyway, I'm glad it led you to sponsor an orphan. I sponsor a couple myself and it's lovely to hear about their progress get Christmas cards from them.
I get Jackie Steward's idea, GB. I see the relevance.
DeleteMy old vitara was like an old man who needed viagra all the time. You cant never guarantee his performance.
That's very kind of you. I can't wait to adopt one too.
that's one big coaster
ReplyDeleteNot big ones but real fast and scary one.
Deletewow, it looks amazing. I once saw one of Ferrari's racing cars at the airport in Dubai. It's like my mind couldn't fathom that it was real! lol
ReplyDeleteYou'd love the F1 grand prix then ? Noise and smell of burning rubber.
DeleteIt's quite an experience :)
Favorite Young Man would love that place. I would hate it.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
It's just a place for favourite young man. Not us.
DeleteHa Ha! Jaya, that looks scary. Though I'm rather partial to Ferrari's , I'd much rather I was driving it myself than being thrown all over the place. I'm glad you survived it! You felt the fear and did it anyway. Now go get a kid ;)
ReplyDeleteScary yes!!!
DeleteI'm a Jeep and Range Rover kind of girl. Not much into these tiny red aero dynamic sports cars :)
Yes the kid. I have checked out some already!
That's a really cool place but I can NOT do rollercoastes!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan either, Gia.
DeleteMakes me sick.
Hey Jaya, glad you liked it.. though I didn't enjoy Ferrari World too much.. I had just enough money for one more day and the options available were a whole day trip to Ferrari World or breakfast at the Burj.. for whatever reason, I chose the former and I regret not going to the Burj on my Dubai vacation last year :)
ReplyDeleteBut yes, the roller coaster rocked.. yes.... but ONLY the roller caster rocked :)
These theme parks are for a targeted group of ppl. I wouldn't go if it's not for my husband. Not my version on fun :) yeah breakfast at Burj would have been a better option.
DeleteHope all is good with you Raj!
Good for you! And it's a good thing you went too, it made for a good blog post. :P
ReplyDeleteThanks Dwei :)
ReplyDeleteI used to love rollercoasters - the faster the better. Even the ones that flip you upside down, I'd hold my arms up. Now? I think I'm more aware of my own mortality to realy enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I can say the same especially when there are loops! Lol.
DeleteGood to hear your neck didn't snap. Something tells me my poor little Seat Leon doesn't go quite as fast ;)
ReplyDeletemaybe not as fast, RC :)
DeleteBut it's got luxury mirrors for the ladies. That should count for something, right?
DeleteCongrats on the child sponsorship things like that make the world better.
ReplyDeleteNo way i would go on the rollercoaster, i am terrified of heights. Abu Dabi..coincidence i applied for a job there to teach in a school. Maybe i should have gone on a giant rollercoaster and just jumped out when it hit top speed and flew the rest of the way? save on air fare?
hey hey! so how did the job application go?
Deleteit's a nice place and my hope is to move there some day. i prefer abu dhabi to doha anytime.
hmmm. jump and fly huh. dont try it k lol.
I didn't do it, but i lived in the middle east for a bit, so maybe the next one i will do.They were so very vague about details, and where i would be staying it seemed an insecure offer.
DeleteMaybe i will flap my arms super fast?
Remember this?
ReplyDelete