IMG Worlds vs Ferrari World

UAE's Top Theme Parks Compared - Which Should You Visit in 2025?

Quick Comparison at a Glance

Feature	IMG Worlds (Dubai)	Ferrari World (Abu Dhabi)
Location	Dubai (near Global Village)	Abu Dhabi (Yas Island)
Type	Indoor (Fully Air-Conditioned)	Mostly Indoor
Size	1.5 million sq ft	2 million sq ft
Ticket Price (Adult)	AED 295	AED 345
Number of Rides	18+	40+
Recommended Duration	4-6 hours	Full day (6-8 hours)
Best For	Families with young kids	Thrill-seekers & car enthusiasts
Theme	Marvel, Cartoon Network, Dinosaurs	Ferrari & Italian motorsports

Choosing between IMG Worlds of Adventure in Dubai and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is one of the biggest decisions for theme park fans visiting the UAE. Both are world-class attractions, but they offer completely different experiences.

IMG Worlds is the world's largest indoor theme park, featuring beloved characters from Marvel and Cartoon Network in a fully air-conditioned environment. Ferrari World is the world's first Ferrari-branded theme park, home to the fastest roller coaster on the planet and exclusively celebrating Italian motorsports culture.

In this comprehensive comparison, we'll break down rides, theming, prices, crowd levels, and overall value to help you decide which park deserves your time and money in 2025.

The Rides: Thrill Level & Variety

IMG Worlds of Adventure Rides

IMG Worlds focuses on family-friendly attractions with moderate thrill levels. The park is divided into four zones: Marvel, Cartoon Network, Lost Valley (Dinosaurs), and IMG Boulevard.

Top Rides at IMG Worlds:

1. The Velociraptor

Type: Launched roller coaster

Thrill Level: High

Why ride it: IMG's most intense coaster, 0-100 km/h in 2.5 seconds

2. Avengers Battle of Ultron

Type: Flying theater dark ride

Thrill Level: Moderate

Why ride it: Spectacular 3D effects with Marvel characters

3. The Haunted Hotel

Type: Walk-through horror attraction

Thrill Level: Moderate-High (scary!)

Why ride it: Best scare attraction in the UAE

4. Cartoon Network rides

Type: Family rides (Ben 10, Adventure Time, etc.)

Thrill Level: Low-Moderate

Why ride it: Perfect for kids 4-12 years old

IMG Worlds Ride Verdict

IMG Worlds has fewer rides overall (~18 attractions) but excellent theming and variety for families. The Velociraptor is thrilling, but most rides are designed for a wide age range. Perfect if you have kids aged 5-12.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Rides

Ferrari World is built for thrill-seekers and speed enthusiasts. With 40+ attractions, it offers more rides overall, and several are world-record holders in speed and intensity.

Top Rides at Ferrari World:

1. Formula Rossa ⚡

Type: Hydraulic launch coaster

Thrill Level: EXTREME

Why ride it: World's fastest roller coaster - 240 km/h! Must-ride bucket list experience

Height requirement: 130 cm

2. Flying Aces

Type: Steel roller coaster

Thrill Level: Very High

Why ride it: World's highest roller coaster loop (52 meters)

3. Turbo Track

Type: Vertical launch coaster

Thrill Level: High

Why ride it: Shoots straight up, then backward drop - unique sensation

4. Scuderia Challenge

Type: Racing simulator

Thrill Level: Moderate

Why ride it: High-tech F1 racing experience, compete with friends

Ferrari World Ride Verdict

Ferrari World delivers more rides and higher intensity. Formula Rossa alone is worth the trip for coaster fans. The park also has family zones, but the focus is clearly on adrenaline and speed. Best for ages 10+ and thrill-seekers.

Rides Winner: It Depends!

For families with young kids (under 10): IMG Worlds wins - better variety of gentle rides, beloved characters, and no extreme height requirements.

For teenagers and adults: Ferrari World wins - more total attractions, world-record coasters, and superior thrill experiences.

Theming & Atmosphere

IMG Worlds Theming

IMG Worlds excels at immersive theming. Each zone feels like a different world - the Marvel zone features massive character statues and superhero encounters, Cartoon Network zone is colorful and playful, and Lost Valley transports you to a prehistoric jungle with animatronic dinosaurs.

Strengths:

• Life-size Marvel character photo ops
• Detailed Cartoon Network environments
• Impressive dinosaur animatronics
• Fully air-conditioned (major plus!)

Ferrari World Theming

Ferrari World's theming is all about Italian motorsports luxury. The iconic red roof is visible from space, and inside you'll find authentic Ferrari cars, racing memorabilia, and Italian-inspired architecture. It feels more cohesive than IMG but less character-focused.

Strengths:

• Real Ferrari cars on display (worth millions)
• Sleek, modern Italian design throughout
• Racing simulators and F1 exhibits
• Mostly indoor with some outdoor sections

Theming Winner: IMG Worlds (for families)

Kids will be more excited by Spider-Man and dinosaurs than Ferrari branding. However, car enthusiasts and adults will appreciate Ferrari World's authentic motorsports atmosphere more.

Price & Value Comparison

IMG Worlds Pricing

AED 295

Standard adult ticket (online)

• Children under 1.05m: AED 245

• Under 3 years: FREE

• Fast track: +AED 195

With promo codes: As low as AED 215

Ferrari World Pricing

AED 345

Standard adult ticket (online)

• Children (under 1.3m): AED 275

• Under 3 years: FREE

• Fast track: +AED 225

Value Breakdown (Family of 4)

Cost Factor	IMG Worlds	Ferrari World
Tickets (2 adults + 2 kids)	AED 1,080	AED 1,240
Food & Drinks (estimate)	AED 300	AED 350
Transport from Dubai	AED 100	AED 300 (Abu Dhabi)
TOTAL	AED 1,480	AED 1,890

Value Winner: IMG Worlds

IMG Worlds is more affordable overall, especially when factoring in the Abu Dhabi transport costs for Ferrari World. For families on a budget, IMG Worlds offers better value per ride and per hour of entertainment.

Location & Accessibility

IMG Worlds (Dubai)

Address: City of Arabia, Dubai

From Downtown Dubai: 25 minutes by car

From Dubai Marina: 35 minutes by car

Metro: Not directly accessible (taxi/Uber needed)

Parking: Free parking available

Advantage: Easy day trip from anywhere in Dubai

Ferrari World (Abu Dhabi)

Address: Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

From Downtown Dubai: 1 hour 15 minutes by car

From Dubai Marina: 1 hour 30 minutes by car

Bus: Direct bus from Dubai (AED 25)

Parking: Free parking available

Challenge: Requires full day commitment if staying in Dubai

Final Recommendations

Choose IMG Worlds If:

You have kids under 10 years old
You love Marvel and Cartoon Network characters
You're staying in Dubai and want a convenient half-day trip
You prefer moderate thrills over extreme coasters
You want guaranteed air conditioning (Dubai summer!)
Budget is a primary concern

Choose Ferrari World If:

You're a thrill-seeker who wants extreme roller coasters
You want to ride the world's fastest roller coaster (Formula Rossa)
You're a car enthusiast or Ferrari fan
You're traveling with teenagers or adults (no young kids)
You have a full day to commit (with Abu Dhabi travel time)
You want more total attractions and variety

Our Honest Verdict

For most families: IMG Worlds is the better choice. It's more accessible from Dubai, significantly cheaper, and designed with kids in mind. The theming is superior for creating memories with young children.

For thrill-seekers and older crowds: Ferrari World is unmatched. Formula Rossa alone justifies the trip, and with 40+ rides, you'll never run out of things to do. Plus, if you're a car enthusiast, this is a bucket-list destination.