Ferrari World: The Ultimate Day Out for Petrol Heads

As we stepped into Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, it was clear that this was going to be an experience like no other. The biggest indoor theme park in the world, costing a whopping 40 billion dollars to build and stretching over 4,000 acres, is packed with everything Ferrari from Formula One up to super cars and souvenirs. It's a place where petrol heads can indulge their passion for speed and adrenaline, and we were on a mission to find out if it lived up to its reputation.

Our first stop was the state-of-the-art racing simulator, which promised to be no ordinary arcade game. With technology used by Ferrari to train Formula One drivers, this simulator uses nine hydraulic rams, three projectors, and a super computer to create an ultimate 3D racing sensation. We were joined by co-drivers who knew exactly where we were going, and as we strapped ourselves in, the anticipation was palpable. "Hold on, it's going to be a wild ride!" our guide exclaimed, and with that, we were off.

As we navigated the simulator, it became clear why this technology is so advanced. The simulation was incredibly realistic, and we found ourselves accelerating through corners, braking, and shifting gears in a matter of seconds. It was exhilarating, but also a bit disorienting – I felt a bit queasy at one point, and even crashed once, big time! But that's all part of the experience, right? Our co-drivers assured us that this was as close to the real thing as it gets, and we were eager to try more.

After the simulator, our guide suggested a picturesque tour of a miniaturized Italy, where we could see four children posing with full-sized versions of their favorite Ferraris. I couldn't resist – my all-time favorite Ferrari is the 1958 250 California, and I would have been mortified driving it in public, even if it were just for fun. Luckily, this was a very special opportunity to see the ultimate display of rare Ferraris, including the Mille Miglia, which had been donated by a handful of generous collectors from around the globe.

As we wandered through the exhibition, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the sheer scale and ambition of Ferrari World. There were Formula One cars on display, including Schumacher's Ferrari – although, strangely, there weren't many other Ferrari cars in sight. Apparently, Ferrari had taken measures to destroy their old foreign cars after each season was over, to avoid rivals copying their components. It was a shame, really – I would have loved to see more of the iconic machines up close.

Finally, we made our way to the main attraction: Formula Rossa, the world's fastest roller coaster. As we approached the ride, it became clear that this was going to be an experience unlike any other. With speeds reaching 149 miles per hour in just five seconds – three times faster than Ferrari's 4.8 Italia – this ride promised to deliver more adrenaline than most people get in a lifetime. We strapped ourselves in, our hearts racing with anticipation, and as the safety bar came down, we were off.

The ride was an absolute rush – we soared through twists and turns at breathtaking speeds, our senses overwhelmed by the sheer force of gravity. At one point, I felt my pulse still racing from the exertion, and I couldn't help but laugh out loud in sheer exhilaration. It was, without a doubt, the most intense ride experience I've ever had.

But as thrilling as it was, we couldn't shake the feeling that Ferrari World just wasn't quite living up to its full potential. Despite the mind-blowing speed and technology on offer, there weren't enough high-octane thrillers to fully satisfy our cravings for adrenaline-fueled fun. We left with a sense of awe at the sheer scale and ambition of the park, but also a lingering sense of disappointment.

Still, Ferrari World is an experience unlike any other – a place where petrol heads can indulge their passion for speed and adventure, surrounded by some of the most iconic cars on earth. Whether or not it lives up to its full potential, one thing's for sure: this is a destination that will leave you breathless, and begging for more.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enFerrari World in Abu Dhabi is the biggest indoor theme park in the world it costs 40 billion dollars to build and stretches over 4,000 acres it's packed the rafters with everything Ferrari from Formula One up to super cars and souvenirs and in keeping with Ferraris racing reputation it's also home to some serious machinery including the world's fastest roller coaster well not just do it for fun you know we're on a mission and our mission is to find out a Ferrari world is the ultimate day out for petrol heads so where should we go first well I said what we're not gonna do we're not going on a great big roller coaster but I'm I won't take it man there aren't good simulators let's try those first for this state-of-the-art racing simulator is no ordinary arcade game I'm driving my turn Ferrari used the same technology to train Formula One drivers it uses nine hydraulic rams three projectors you need a co-driver know where I'm going and a super computer to create the ultimate 3d racing sensation they say this is as close to the real thing as it gets we'll be the judge of that right now we're gonna go so hold on along so did it in one minute 40 something you and everything knows in the simulates over a minute quicker than you haven't done that I just felt a bit queasy and I crashed once big time you look very white of course not everything here is as fast Baron Thalia a picturesque tour of a miniaturised Italy first four children - I want a red one I would I don't wanna fly though on that color on the red one a full-sized version of this 1958 Ferrari 250 California would cost around two million quid that is one of my all-time favourite Ferraris is such a beautiful car now I've been there I would die of embarrassment being in that car with him now for a very special opportunity to see the ultimate display of rare Ferraris the Mille Miglia all donated by handful of generous collectors from around the globe quite surprised how many Formula one cars are out here Schumacher's Ferrari the shame of it is there aren't any oh food for one coasters Ferrari actually chopped them all up he destroyed as soon as the season was over they destroyed all the old foreign cars Ferrari took these measures to avoid rivals copying their components shame time to persuade TIFF to join me on Ferrari world's biggest attraction formula Rossa have you seen that roller coaster it goes like I've ended up here behind if see the kids the kids things the kids is the fastest roller coaster in the world so easy still be be no problem where's the shoulder strap what genre it's the only ride where I've ever been obliged to wear safety goggles formula Rossa accelerates from naught to 150 miles an hour in less than five seconds that's three times faster than Ferraris four five eight Italia what you hectic can we go back to Bell Italian our you look the big action I want to go back to Bella Italia never again it's absolutely mind-numbing it's so quick isn't it my pulse is still beating it takes your breath away right come on no bell Italian never again so is this forty billion pound playground the ultimate pitch LEDs day out well it is a spectacular place to behold but despite that roller coaster it doesn't have enough high-octane thrillers to fully satisfy speed freaks like us youFerrari World in Abu Dhabi is the biggest indoor theme park in the world it costs 40 billion dollars to build and stretches over 4,000 acres it's packed the rafters with everything Ferrari from Formula One up to super cars and souvenirs and in keeping with Ferraris racing reputation it's also home to some serious machinery including the world's fastest roller coaster well not just do it for fun you know we're on a mission and our mission is to find out a Ferrari world is the ultimate day out for petrol heads so where should we go first well I said what we're not gonna do we're not going on a great big roller coaster but I'm I won't take it man there aren't good simulators let's try those first for this state-of-the-art racing simulator is no ordinary arcade game I'm driving my turn Ferrari used the same technology to train Formula One drivers it uses nine hydraulic rams three projectors you need a co-driver know where I'm going and a super computer to create the ultimate 3d racing sensation they say this is as close to the real thing as it gets we'll be the judge of that right now we're gonna go so hold on along so did it in one minute 40 something you and everything knows in the simulates over a minute quicker than you haven't done that I just felt a bit queasy and I crashed once big time you look very white of course not everything here is as fast Baron Thalia a picturesque tour of a miniaturised Italy first four children - I want a red one I would I don't wanna fly though on that color on the red one a full-sized version of this 1958 Ferrari 250 California would cost around two million quid that is one of my all-time favourite Ferraris is such a beautiful car now I've been there I would die of embarrassment being in that car with him now for a very special opportunity to see the ultimate display of rare Ferraris the Mille Miglia all donated by handful of generous collectors from around the globe quite surprised how many Formula one cars are out here Schumacher's Ferrari the shame of it is there aren't any oh food for one coasters Ferrari actually chopped them all up he destroyed as soon as the season was over they destroyed all the old foreign cars Ferrari took these measures to avoid rivals copying their components shame time to persuade TIFF to join me on Ferrari world's biggest attraction formula Rossa have you seen that roller coaster it goes like I've ended up here behind if see the kids the kids things the kids is the fastest roller coaster in the world so easy still be be no problem where's the shoulder strap what genre it's the only ride where I've ever been obliged to wear safety goggles formula Rossa accelerates from naught to 150 miles an hour in less than five seconds that's three times faster than Ferraris four five eight Italia what you hectic can we go back to Bell Italian our you look the big action I want to go back to Bella Italia never again it's absolutely mind-numbing it's so quick isn't it my pulse is still beating it takes your breath away right come on no bell Italian never again so is this forty billion pound playground the ultimate pitch LEDs day out well it is a spectacular place to behold but despite that roller coaster it doesn't have enough high-octane thrillers to fully satisfy speed freaks like us you\n"