rides

Mason, Friday, 29 August 2025.
The return of Kings Island’s Phantom Theater as Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare signals a strategic shift toward mid-capacity, story-led dark rides that repurpose existing real estate. Announced this past Wednesday and set to debut in spring 2026, the indoor attraction replaces Boo Blasters on Boo Hill (final day: 1 September 2025) and revives beloved characters while adding new IP and interactive elements—enchanted opera boxes, spellbound flashlights, animatronics and projection-driven scenes. For retail and operations leaders, the most intriguing fact is the park’s choice to retrofit the existing theater footprint, prioritizing lower capital expenditure and higher content refreshability over a new coaster. Expect operational focus on hourly capacity, show-control supplier selection, mixed projection/practical effects lifecycle planning, maintenance access, and merchandising tied to nostalgic IP. The announcement underscores broader industry trends—leveraging nostalgia to drive attendance, extending dwell time with immersive F&B and retail opportunities, and balancing guest throughput with high-theming ambitions now.

Kaatsheuvel, Friday, 29 August 2025.
Efteling’s Danse Macabre, opened earlier this year, introduces a first‑of‑its‑kind ride system that choreographs vehicles on a massive multi‑turntable platform—an 18‑metre main turntable with six smaller rotating stages seating 108 guests—that synchronises precise positioning, on‑board multi‑axial motion and high‑fidelity show control. For retail and operations leaders, the headline is commercial as much as creative: the system is designed to boost dwell time and per‑capita spend by delivering highly repeatable, immersive scenes at industry‑leading throughput (reported capacity ≈1,253 guests/hour). The project signals shifting procurement dynamics—greater bespoke engineering, new maintenance and lifecycle cost profiles, and tighter show‑ops integration—meaning changes to supplier relationships, staffing and safety validation. This piece previews the strategic implications for merchandising, F&B placement and queue monetisation opportunities as parks weigh the trade‑offs between unique IP experiences and the operational complexity they introduce.

Orlando, Friday, 29 August 2025.
At IAAPA Expo Orlando last November, leading manufacturers coordinated unveilings that point to a strategic shift: attractions are being sold as integrated ecosystems rather than standalone hardware. Highlights for operators and procurement teams included Vekoma’s teaser for a new coaster and a slate of 2025 openings, Accesso’s Passport guest‑management updates, Dronisos expanding drone‑show integrations with Disneyland Paris, Triotech and Seven announcing a multi‑site media‑based attraction using major IP, Reverchon revealing a next‑generation flume and adaptable restraint systems, and Brogent outlining 2025 partnerships plus a lower‑cost flying‑theatre option. Collectively these launches signal tighter coupling of ride mechanics, media content, guest‑flow software and aerial spectacle—an evolution that will affect capital planning, OPEX forecasts, capacity modelling and procurement timelines. The most intriguing takeaway: suppliers are packaging combined tech, IP and operations tools, so buying decisions now require earlier cross‑disciplinary coordination across design, IT and finance to protect throughput and margin and long-term resilience.

Orlando, Thursday, 28 August 2025.
At IAAPA Expo Orlando last November, Vekoma and WhiteWater showcased product updates clearly aimed at accelerating operators’ path to revenue. Vekoma previewed a “surprising” coaster concept that pairs modular construction with explicit capacity increases and shortened lead times, targeting regional parks and resorts that need scalable, lower‑risk investments. WhiteWater revealed footprint‑efficient attractions and circulation‑engineered elements that boost throughput while offering turnkey packages to simplify build and cut operational cost. The most intriguing detail: Vekoma’s concept links modularity directly to measurable capacity gains and faster delivery, signalling suppliers are prioritising install flexibility and hourly throughput as commercial selling points. For retail and attractions professionals, these launches foreshadow a 2025 market where product families emphasize rapid deployment, predictable returns and reduced construction complexity—key considerations when planning capital programmes and guest‑flow optimisation.

Paris, Wednesday, 27 August 2025.
Disneyland Paris announced last Monday that Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy will close in October 2025 for a major renovation, reopening in spring 2026. The most notable change: the ride will permanently drop 3D in favour of upgraded 2D projection as projectors are replaced, a shift made after guest feedback. Expect a new artist‑studio queue scene, larger‑than‑life props, refreshed media and updated ride systems aimed at improving immersion, reliability and throughput. For retail and park operators this signals continued investment in IP‑led dark rides in a constrained capex environment — a mid‑life refresh that prioritises targeted technical upgrades over replacement. Short‑term capacity loss will require operational adjustments across the resort, but offers opportunities to pilot AV, projection mapping and vehicle maintenance protocols that could set a regional benchmark. Close coordination between operations, merchandising and guest flow planning will be critical to mitigate revenue and satisfaction impacts during the closure.

Orlando, Monday, 25 August 2025.
Universal Studios Florida began rapid dismantling of the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit coaster this week, with crews visibly removing the end helix and multiple track sections — a rare, accelerated deconstruction just days after the ride’s final runs. For retail and operations leaders, the most striking detail is how quickly prime in-park acreage is being liberated inside a constrained footprint, signalling an imminent shift in capital allocation and land-use priorities. On-site techniques observed include staged outer-to-inner track removal, crane lifts of large segments, and early extraction of low-clearance pieces to preserve guest flow and minimise risk while the park remains active. The teardown raises immediate questions about salvage value of steel and train components, liability and permitting during removal, and how Universal might redeploy this space for higher-yield attractions or guest experience improvements. Expect decisions on reuse and redevelopment to follow swiftly; operators should monitor planning filings and site activity this week for early indicators of Universal’s medium-term strategy.

Hampshire, Friday, 22 August 2025.
Paultons Park has revolutionized theme park experiences with its £3.5 million Ghostly Manor dark ride, featuring an innovative ‘Gameplay Theater’ concept that transforms ghost hunting into an interactive adventure. Utilizing eight Christie 1DLP laser projectors, the ride offers passengers a unique back-to-back seating arrangement where they can capture ghosts using ‘Phantom Phasers’ across eight dynamic scenes. The cutting-edge projection technology ensures vivid, immersive visuals that bring haunting environments to life, while the ride’s compact design maximizes guest throughput and minimizes waiting times. This technological marvel represents a significant leap forward in theme park attraction design, promising an unparalleled entertainment experience for visitors.

Chicago, Wednesday, 20 August 2025.
Merlin Entertainments is transforming shopping mall experiences with two groundbreaking attractions: Super Neon and WONDRA. Developed in under a year through a collaboration with Fever, these immersive spaces represent a strategic response to declining retail engagement. Super Neon, a 11,700 sq ft interactive light installation in Minneapolis, and WONDRA, an 11,500 sq ft nature-inspired experience near Chicago, offer cutting-edge visual technologies that engage visitors through sensory interaction. Targeting millennials, Gen Z, and families, these attractions aim to convert traditional retail spaces into dynamic entertainment hubs, blending technology, design, and emotional storytelling to create memorable, multi-sensory experiences that reconnect people with technology and nature.

Orlando, Tuesday, 19 August 2025.
Universal Studios Florida is set to permanently retire the legendary Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster on August 18, 2025, marking the end of a 16-year thrill ride era. Known for its unique musical experience where riders could choose their soundtrack while traversing a 51m-tall track at 65 mph, the attraction has been a park landmark since 2009. The closure signals Universal’s strategic attraction refresh, creating anticipation for a yet-to-be-announced replacement. This retirement comes shortly after the opening of Epic Universe, Universal’s newest theme park, suggesting a broader transformation of the resort’s entertainment landscape. Fans are invited to take their final rides, with some commemorative experiences planned to celebrate the coaster’s memorable history.

Upper Marlboro, Monday, 18 August 2025.
A dramatic technical malfunction at Six Flags America in Maryland prompted a swift rescue operation on Saturday afternoon. Emergency crews from Prince George’s County Fire and EMS responded at 3:25 p.m. to a ride that unexpectedly halted mid-cycle, leaving 32 riders stranded. Technical rescue units collaborated with park staff to safely evacuate all passengers within approximately 30 minutes. One rider was transported to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, which was reportedly unrelated to the rescue incident. The park has committed to conducting a thorough review of the ride to determine the cause of the malfunction, underscoring the critical importance of theme park safety protocols and rapid emergency response capabilities.

Orlando, Sunday, 17 August 2025.
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing has strategically expanded its North American presence with two groundbreaking family-friendly roller coasters. At Santa’s Village in Ontario, the Yeti Trek offers an exhilarating 400-meter ride through dense pine forests, reaching speeds up to 61 km/h. Meanwhile, Cedar Point introduces Siren’s Curse, a innovative tilt coaster featuring a dramatic 160-foot vertical drop and immersive maritime mythology theming. These installations represent more than mere attractions; they showcase Vekoma’s commitment to pushing technological boundaries and creating memorable guest experiences that blend cutting-edge engineering with storytelling, signaling a significant investment in the theme park ride technology sector.