Wild Wadi bids to upstage competition

Wild Wadi Water Park unveils plans to expand in a bid to stay ahead of rivals.

DUBAI // Wild Wadi Water Park has unveiled plans to expand in a bid to stay ahead of rivals. Wild Wadi has been a favourite of tourists and residents in Dubai since it opened nine years ago. However, the opening of the Aquaventure water park at the Atlantis Hotel on Palm Jumeirah, has given it competition. The owners of Wild Wadi, the Jumeirah Group, will add two new rides called Tantrum Alley and Behemoth Bowl next year.

Riders of Tantrum Alley will be seated on a four-person tube that will travel downhill at high speed to enter a "tornado" system that rocks the tube before it splashes into a pool. Chris Perry, the water park's general manager, said: "Wild Wadi is all about fun and is an ideal place for families to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. As water park industry leaders, we remain committed to Jumeirah's promise to stay different and offer our guests the latest wild rides that cannot be found anywhere else in the region."

While preparations for the new slides take place, Wild Wadi will be closed from Jan 22 until Feb 11, and will reopen on Feb 12. [e-mail]