Discovering Emirati Heritage

Challenge:

How to incorporate history of the region in a water park setting.

Creative Solution:

Drawing from the UAE’s rich pearl-diving heritage, Yas Waterworld’s 43 rides and attractions are woven into The Legend of the Lost Pearl, an original story crafted by the park. The tale centers on Dana, a young Emirati girl, as she embarks on a journey to find a legendary pearl that once brought prosperity to her village. This narrative comes to life in the park’s architecture, which mirrors traditional Emirati styles with an exterior like that of an Arabian fortress and an interior designed like a village. WhiteWater took the immersion to the next level with hand-carved, towering snake heads — measuring over 2.5 meters (8 feet) tall — crafted to encase the fiberglass run-out lanes of the park’s inner tube water slides. These intricate details, complete with fangs and striking scales, further enhance the storyline by blending artistry with adventure.

To dive deeper into the details and learn more about how this cultural heritage was seamlessly integrated into the park, visit the project page here.