Aquarabia will feature eight themed zones and 22 WhiteWater attractions / Image courtesy of Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC)
Qiddiya Investment Company, Falcon’s Creative and WhiteWater have revealed details of the Aquarabia water attraction park set to open in 2025 as part of the Six Flags Qiddiya City theme park near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. QIC is the developer and Falcon’s is the masterplanner and attraction designer for the park.
Covering 250,000sq m, the park will feature eight different animal-inspired zones, with 22 attractions designed by waterpark manufacturer WhiteWater. Each zone will celebrate its designated animal via themed attractions and design, from huge sculptures of Arabian horses to the Camel Rock Mountain rock formation at the heart of the park.
The eight themed areas include Camel Rock, with five attractions including the Lazy Camel River Ride; Surf Lagoon, featuring WhiteWater’s Endless Surf wave pool; the Wave Wadi wave pool and white water rafting experience; and Herding Grounds, offering outdoor adventures including rock climbing and kayaking.
The park also features Arabian Peak – an adults-only water pool relaxation zone – and the Den, a serene area for women and children featuring soothing streams and splash pads.
Viper Canyon will house high octane attractions, from the Hyper Viper 15m plunge to the Tahiddi Viper racing slides.
“Aquarabia Qiddiya City is the most iconic waterpark currently in construction globally,” says Mike Rigby, WhiteWater’s general manager and regional vice president for Middle East, Africa & India. “We’re deeply honoured to be a partner on this groundbreaking project, and eager to bring our innovative water slides, attractions, and experiences to this remarkable destination in Saudi Arabia.”
The vision When masterplanning the park, Falcon’s Creative Group decided that the vision needed to embrace Saudi culture while complementing the entire Qiddiya City site. They developed a storyline embracing some of Saudi Arabia’s most iconic, indigenous wildlife, as well as the life-giving properties of water.
From waterfalls to caves and secret pathways, the design aims to integrate the park into the natural surroundings.
“The design of the park is built around the indigenous species of the region – the sweeping vast landscapes and the fact that water is the thing that connects all of us,” says Joe Schaefer, vice president of technical design at Falcon’s Creative Group.
“This is a park built around adventure and exploration. There are things here that have never been put into a waterpark before. You’ll be able to go underwater in a capsule, and see the underwater world.
“There are mechanical slides, such as the slide wheel, competitive rock climbing, cliff diving, white water rafting.”
WhiteWater’s Endless Surf will allow visitors to try surfing and bodyboarding.
Qiddiya City project aims to establish a global entertainment and sports hub in Saudi Arabia. It is part of Saudi Vision 2030, a plan developed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s leaders to diversify the country’s economy and reduce its dependency on oil.
Photo: WhiteWater
“Aquarabia Qiddiya City is the most iconic waterpark currently in construction globally,” – Mike Rigby, WhiteWater’s general manager and regional vice president for Middle East, Africa & India
Photo: Falcon’s Creative Group
“The design of the park is built around the indigenous species of the region – the sweeping vast landscapes and the fact that water is the thing that connects all of us,” – Joe Schaefer, vice president of technical design at Falcon’s Creative Group
Aquarabia water attractions
All 22 water attractions are being developed by WhiteWater. The attractions include:
• A Mat Blaster waterslide where guests will ride headfirst on a series of gravity-defying blasts
• FusionFortress 18, featuring 181 interactive play features, 11 water slides, two tipping buckets and a water geyser spraying 100 feet into the air
• Saudi Arabia’s first inland surf pool, powered by Endless Surf technology
• An AquaLoop + Flatline Loop Fusion drop slide
• A Hyper Viper (or Shoot the Chute) water boat ride, featuring a 15-meter drop. WhiteWater has introduced unique lighting and spray features, enhancing the traditional Shoot the Chute experience.
• A Wadi Tahaddi (or Spinning Rapids) raft ride that sees groups of six set out on a 600m-long ride on a circular raft, experiencing intense centrifugal forces across a ride path of river trough elements combined with water slide fiberglass sections
Aquariabia’s eight themed zones
Camel Rock: Perched high above the park’s pools, Camel Rock’s five attractions including the Camel Racers inner-tube slides and the Lazy Camel River ride
• Viper Canyon: This area is tailored to guests seeking an extreme adrenaline rush
• Arabian Peak: A quiet adults only retreat featuring tranquil leisure pools and private cabanas
• Surf Lagoon: A ‘beachside oasis’ featuring an Endless Surf surf pool, Surftopia, with four distinct wave patterns
• The Den: A secluded getaway for women and children, where families can relax amidst soothing streams and splash pads
• Wave Wadi: Aimed at adrenaline seekers, this zone features a state-of-the-art wave pool and the Wadi Tahaddi 600m white water rafting tubing experience
Herding Grounds: From rock climbing to kayaking, this zone offers a range of outdoor adventures
Dhub Grotto: A huge play fortress explicitly designed for children, featuring a wide range of slides and climbing structures
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Aquarabia will feature eight themed zones and 22 WhiteWater attractions / Image courtesy of Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC)
Qiddiya Investment Company, Falcon’s Creative and WhiteWater have revealed details of the Aquarabia water attraction park set to open in 2025 as part of the Six Flags Qiddiya City theme park near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. QIC is the developer and Falcon’s is the masterplanner and attraction designer for the park.
Covering 250,000sq m, the park will feature eight different animal-inspired zones, with 22 attractions designed by waterpark manufacturer WhiteWater. Each zone will celebrate its designated animal via themed attractions and design, from huge sculptures of Arabian horses to the Camel Rock Mountain rock formation at the heart of the park.
The eight themed areas include Camel Rock, with five attractions including the Lazy Camel River Ride; Surf Lagoon, featuring WhiteWater’s Endless Surf wave pool; the Wave Wadi wave pool and white water rafting experience; and Herding Grounds, offering outdoor adventures including rock climbing and kayaking.
The park also features Arabian Peak – an adults-only water pool relaxation zone – and the Den, a serene area for women and children featuring soothing streams and splash pads.
Viper Canyon will house high octane attractions, from the Hyper Viper 15m plunge to the Tahiddi Viper racing slides.
“Aquarabia Qiddiya City is the most iconic waterpark currently in construction globally,” says Mike Rigby, WhiteWater’s general manager and regional vice president for Middle East, Africa & India. “We’re deeply honoured to be a partner on this groundbreaking project, and eager to bring our innovative water slides, attractions, and experiences to this remarkable destination in Saudi Arabia.”
The vision When masterplanning the park, Falcon’s Creative Group decided that the vision needed to embrace Saudi culture while complementing the entire Qiddiya City site. They developed a storyline embracing some of Saudi Arabia’s most iconic, indigenous wildlife, as well as the life-giving properties of water.
From waterfalls to caves and secret pathways, the design aims to integrate the park into the natural surroundings.
“The design of the park is built around the indigenous species of the region – the sweeping vast landscapes and the fact that water is the thing that connects all of us,” says Joe Schaefer, vice president of technical design at Falcon’s Creative Group.
“This is a park built around adventure and exploration. There are things here that have never been put into a waterpark before. You’ll be able to go underwater in a capsule, and see the underwater world.
“There are mechanical slides, such as the slide wheel, competitive rock climbing, cliff diving, white water rafting.”
WhiteWater’s Endless Surf will allow visitors to try surfing and bodyboarding.
Qiddiya City project aims to establish a global entertainment and sports hub in Saudi Arabia. It is part of Saudi Vision 2030, a plan developed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s leaders to diversify the country’s economy and reduce its dependency on oil.
Photo: WhiteWater
“Aquarabia Qiddiya City is the most iconic waterpark currently in construction globally,” – Mike Rigby, WhiteWater’s general manager and regional vice president for Middle East, Africa & India
Photo: Falcon’s Creative Group
“The design of the park is built around the indigenous species of the region – the sweeping vast landscapes and the fact that water is the thing that connects all of us,” – Joe Schaefer, vice president of technical design at Falcon’s Creative Group
Aquarabia water attractions
All 22 water attractions are being developed by WhiteWater. The attractions include:
• A Mat Blaster waterslide where guests will ride headfirst on a series of gravity-defying blasts
• FusionFortress 18, featuring 181 interactive play features, 11 water slides, two tipping buckets and a water geyser spraying 100 feet into the air
• Saudi Arabia’s first inland surf pool, powered by Endless Surf technology
• An AquaLoop + Flatline Loop Fusion drop slide
• A Hyper Viper (or Shoot the Chute) water boat ride, featuring a 15-meter drop. WhiteWater has introduced unique lighting and spray features, enhancing the traditional Shoot the Chute experience.
• A Wadi Tahaddi (or Spinning Rapids) raft ride that sees groups of six set out on a 600m-long ride on a circular raft, experiencing intense centrifugal forces across a ride path of river trough elements combined with water slide fiberglass sections
Aquariabia’s eight themed zones
Camel Rock: Perched high above the park’s pools, Camel Rock’s five attractions including the Camel Racers inner-tube slides and the Lazy Camel River ride
• Viper Canyon: This area is tailored to guests seeking an extreme adrenaline rush
• Arabian Peak: A quiet adults only retreat featuring tranquil leisure pools and private cabanas
• Surf Lagoon: A ‘beachside oasis’ featuring an Endless Surf surf pool, Surftopia, with four distinct wave patterns
• The Den: A secluded getaway for women and children, where families can relax amidst soothing streams and splash pads
• Wave Wadi: Aimed at adrenaline seekers, this zone features a state-of-the-art wave pool and the Wadi Tahaddi 600m white water rafting tubing experience
Herding Grounds: From rock climbing to kayaking, this zone offers a range of outdoor adventures
Dhub Grotto: A huge play fortress explicitly designed for children, featuring a wide range of slides and climbing structures
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2024 issue 4
People: Jess French
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Interview: Peter Slavenburg
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The largest waterpark in the Middle East is set to open in Saudi Arabia in 2026, and it’s going to be huge. We speak to the team behind this epic development
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