‘It’s a kids’ paradise’: Peter Andre discovers the world’s most child-friendly holiday destination

YAS Island has white sandy beaches, huge hotels and with four theme parks, making it the go-to destination for anyone with children, according to Peter Andre.

Peter, along with his wife Emily and his five children, visited the leisure island on their most recent family holiday, where they had adrenaline-filled fun at Ferrari World and went celeb spotting at the waterpark.

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Ahead of the release of his upcoming film, Jafaican, Peter went on a big family trip with his children, Junior, 19, and Princess, 17 and Amelia, 11, Theo, 9, and Arabella, 13 months, who he shares with his wife, Dr Emily MacDonagh.

Having been scoping out child-friendly destinations for many years, Peter has high praise for Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

Peter told Sun Travel: "Yas Island is the most child-friendly place I've ever been to - it's a kids' paradise.

"They cater for children first which is something I've never seen anywhere else. And then they've made it exciting for the adults - normally it's the other way around."

Yas Island was developed just 20 years ago for the purpose of tourism - and it's safe to say it achieved its goal.

There are four theme parks on Yas Island, all of which Peter and his family had a look at, and there's one he'll never forget.

Peter confessed: "The idea of Ferrari World scared me, I was quite anxious about going because I'm a bit scared of rollercoasters.

"But Theo wasn't allowed on it because he was a bit short so he went 'dad, will you go on it for me?' How do I say no to that?

"I was shaking leading up to it - but when I did it, it was the best buzz. I was on adrenaline for days. I've never been on anything so fast."

Peter wasn't the only celebrity on Yas Island, which he discovered when he visited the biggest water park in the world, Aquaventure World.

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Peter told us. "This place was phenomenal, it really was. And at the same time we were we saw footballers, and Idris Elba.

"Beyonce once did a concert at the Atlantis The Palm Hotel too."

Atlantis, The Palm Hotel has also been visited by the likes of Paris Hilton, Naomi Campbell, Lily Allen, Robert De Niro, Antonio Banderas, Rita Ora, and Steve Aoki.

While this was Peter's first time in Yas Island, he's no stranger to the UAE having been visiting since the early 90s, before it was developed.

But that's all changed now and Peter might have to return to Yas Island in the future as it's set to become the home of Disney's new theme park.

It was announced in May 2025 that Disney plans to open a new theme park there by the early 2030s.

The park will be created by immersive destination and experiences company Miral and will feature various accommodations, dining experiences and retail opportunities.

The park will also be completely indoors which is a first for Disney.

It's not too surprising however as temperatures often go above 37C in the Emirates and even 48C in the peak summer season.

Disney imagineers have already started to design the park and will join the other theme parks on the island.

Peter recently returned to Australia for the world premiere of his comedy film Jafaican, which will be out in UK cinemas on May 20, 2025.

Peter plays Gazza, a small-time London crook who takes on a high-stakes con job to cover £35,000 bill for his grandmother's care home fees.

Head to Odeon.co.uk to see screening times and book tickets

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