Winter Wonderland is one of the coolest theme parks out there, and arrived in Riyadh, for the very first time in 2019. The second edition of Riyadh Season is back bigger than ever – 40 percent bigger, to be precise
When it comes to rides, even if you are quite the scaredy-cat, Winter Wonderland has family-friendly as well as family-fear inducing rides. While there are 52 rides with different thrill-factors, we headed down to try as many as we could (before going seriously green around the gills) to pick the rides worth your riyals.
THE STOMACH-CHURNER
Cyber Space
Warning: Not for the faint-hearted. Call your favourite adrenaline junkie, this is definitely up their alley. Have you ever seen a pendulum? This ride is quite literally a pendulum in motion, sized for humans, and may well be one of the scariest in the park, despite also being one of the most simple. After a gentle, rocking swing to get you started (this isn’t too bad, huh?), you’ll soon be hurtling backwards and forwards at speed over the people and attractions below. A real belly-flopper.
THE SPINNER
Frisbee
This one may be deceptive. What looks to be a fun calm ride, may just be a little scarier than you give it credit for. Go on the ride at peak time during sunset – because alongside those scary heights you’ll get to experience (if you can open your eyes) super views of the city. You probably won’t expect Winter Wonderland to deliver an unforgettable sightseeing experience, but when the air is brushing against your face and you are watching the sunset over the city, it feels pretty special.
THE SLOW-MO
Mini Miami
If you want to start off slow, then this ride will get you in the zone and not mess with you too much. Kind of like a long (hard) sofa, strap yourselves into a line of seats to go round and round in a vertical, clockwise rotation. One for those with a more delicate constitution, or those who have already pushed themselves too far with the slingshot. Speaking of which…
THE YOUTUBE FAVE
Slingshot
If you’ve ever watched fairground ride fails on YouTube, you’ll likely be familiar with this one. Yes, that one. If not – welcome to the ride that has become infamous for delivering comical people-passing-out videos. Slingshot does exactly what it says on the tin. Two riders strap in, are wound down before being pinged off into the sky at cheek-flattening speed. Expect to hear people screaming before, during and after the ride.
THE LUNCH-RETURNER
Top Buzz
Ever wondered what it might be like to sit on the propellors of a ceiling fan? No? Well, now you can experience something not at all like it. Because while this one spins like a propellor, your ceiling fan hopefully doesn’t swing wildly in every direction. Heard of the calm before the storm? There’s a limited one at the start of this ride, which quickly picks up into something that’ll have you screaming hysterically and desperately hoping that large cotton candy you had earlier doesn’t work its way back up.
SAR55 (weekdays), SAR110 (weekends). Until March 31, 2022. Open daily from 4pm. Winter Wonderland, AlGhadeer, 3311, tickets.riyadhseason.sa.
Click here for the best things to do at Riyadh Season this December.
