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An oasis of fun

Hili Fun City. That’s a name that rings in nostalgia. As someone who was raised in the UAE, I can assure you that Hili Fun City was all the rage among people of all ages. The kids in my class would boast about their weekend trips to Al Ain and the fun rides they’d been to.

Upon my recent visit to the UAE’s first theme park, which opened in 1985, I’d finally got a chance to relive what made up most of my childhood.

It was a balmy afternoon when my friend and I set off for Al Ain from Dubai, and took about an hour and a half to reach our destination, but it wasn’t long enough to subdue our excitement. The long drive gave us an opportunity to experience the raw beauty of the UAE — passing by majestic sand dunes and a number of refreshment stops.

Being a weekday, we didn’t expect many people to be in but it seemed like residents have made it a regular haunt, especially when the weather gets cooler in the evening.

As soon as we stepped in, a massive blue and white structure caught our eye. We walked up to it to discover the Sky Flyer — a set of carriages that spin you 360 degrees round. Settling in the front with a seat bar — our sole saviour — my heart was pounding before the ride had even begun. A ring signalled the beginning of an adrenaline rush. It’s safe to say that the ride had been appropriately been categorised as a “thrill attraction” as we were thrilled, indeed.

Walking a couple of steps to the left side of the park is Twister Mountain that took us by surprise. At first we’d thought that the round cart would just give us the up and down sensation of a rollercoaster but little did we know that it took us on a little spinning spree! But the one that takes the cake is Thunderbolt — a ride where the mobile cart not only revolves around a central column but also swings side-to-side. It was fast, exhilarating and knocked our socks off!

There are over 30 activities in the park to choose from. Even if you’re not too fond of heart-pumping action, there’s still something to keep you occupied. The park is conveniently divided into three main categories so visitors can make the best of their time at the venue. Besides the thrill rides, there is also a set of’ attractions for kids and families.

Most of the rides have a minimum height restriction for security reasons but that doesn’t mean the little ones are left out. Sandy playgrounds are a haven for tiny tots while parents can unwind on benches, which are actually made out of recycled plastic — a notable approach that demonstrates Hili Fun City’s strong sense of eco-consciousness. What’s also interesting is that women have a separate entry point for each of the rides. According to our guide, the park is centred around the traditions of the country to allow a comfortable experience.

Kiosks and cafeterias offering food and beverages are dotted across the park to satiate your hunger and thirst. The beautiful park has ample shade from trees and also features barbecue areas for families wanting to make the best of their day out. In addition, enthusiast cyclists can rent out bicycles and peddle around, while others can hop aboard the Hili Express and enjoy the wonderful scenery the park has to offer. Don’t forget to stop by the souvenir shop to take home a memory of the time spent.

A handy little map showed more points of interest that had us spend hours exploring the park.

We had tried our hand at some of the skill games where we were enraptured by Al Ain Derby and Wiggle Wire booths. The former, a group racing activity, had us rolling balls into aligned rows of holes that moved the plastic horses forward. First one to reach the finish line wins a prize!

The latter is something I’d seen in game shows but never tried my hand at it. The coiled wire constantly rotates as you try to pass a small beam through it without letting it touch the edges. It’s definitely something that challenges your concentration skills.

The 3-D Action Cinema gave us a ride to remember. Geared with special 3-D glasses and strapped in with a massive bar, the synchronised rows of seats moved along with the visuals on screen.

From the sensation of freefalling to jerking back on rail tracks (we rode a virtual mine cart across what seemed like the depths of hell!), it gave us a very realistic sensory experience!

With an in-house qualified nurse, safety is definitely at utmost priority in case of emergencies. According to our guide, the first aid clinic is also equipped with facilities essential for treating patients suffering from heart attacks. So it’s good to know you’re in safe hands.

So free up your schedules and take the trip to Hili Fun City for hours of good fun. It’s definitely worth the journey.

farhana@khaleejtimes.com

More info

• Entry: Dh50 per person
• Web: www.hilifuncity.ae
• Location: Drive down Al Ain Highway (E66) to Al Foah, take Exit 22 towards Al Foah/town centre. From the first roundabout you come across (featuring a coffee pot), go straight. Continue straight from the second roundabout. At the third one, turn right, continue straight and at the next roundabout take a left into the park’s parking area.the attack.