Ferrari fans will have to wait just a week longer for the hugely anticipated opening of Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi. The park has postponed its soft launch till 4 November in order to mourn the death of Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the ruler of Abu Dhabi’s neighbouring emirate Ras Al Khaimah.

The park expected more than 10,000 visitors on its opening day on Thursday but seven days of official mourning has been declared in the United Arab Emirates.

Ferrari World announced via its Facebook page that the opening will now be postponed till next Thursday.

The extra week will also give the 900-strong staff extra time to ensure the opening runs smoothly.

Evening before its open, Ferrari World has attracted intense anticipated and media reports from those who have been have impressed with the scale and quality of attractions, including the world’s fastest roller coaster.

The 40-acre park will be the world’s only Ferrari theme park and the largest attraction of its kind.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi - opening is being postponed one week to mourn the death of Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi

Part of Abu Dhabi’s 2030 plan, a ground-breaking development project focused on various sectors including transport, housing and tourism, the world’s first car-themed amusement park sits inside a sprawling 700m-long building on Yas Island, which was voted “World’s Leading Tourism Development Project” by the World Travel Awards.

Attractions at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

Underneath its Ferrari-red, star-shaped roof it has nearly 100,000 square metres of space, and is over 30 metres high.

Alongside a range of concept restaurants and cafes offering authentic Italian dining experiences and unique shopping locations, Ferrari World is bristling with innovative new rides.

Among the star attractions is the Formula Rossa – which allows guests to go faster than anyone has ever been before on a rollercoaster, reaching 240 kmph in less than five seconds.

For the younger visitor, Speed of Magic comprises a fantasy 4-D journey following the adventures of a young boy as he travels through a kaleidoscopic dreamscape of natural and phenomenal environments, where no Ferrari has gone before.

The crown jewel of Ferrari World - Formula Rossa will propel guests to 240kmph in just five seconds

V12 will wiz visitors on an exciting flume ride to the heart of a 12 cylinders engine, while G-Force will shoot thrill-seekers through the red roof and 62 meters in the air before plummeting back to Earth, experiencing the actual G-force of a Ferrari, in a seat directly inspired by the Ferrari Enzo.

An interactive theatre allowing guests to test their judgment in realistic racing scenarios is available at The Pit Wall, while the Racing Legends exhibit offers a ride through Ferrari’s greatest racing moments.

But that is just the start – only with a visit in person can guests get a feel for the true scale of the Ferrari World experience.

World Mobi has made a personal visit that much easier, launching the Abu Dhabi city guide ahead of the opening. abudhabi.mobi is packed with all the latest information – from weather, currency conversion and user reviews to listings and news headlines – the innovative guide is set to become an essential accessory for all visitors to the region.