Fire, Dinosaurs, and Dragon Balls
Let's recap this week's new attraction reviews and look forward to even more opening announcements.
Hello, Theme Park Insiders! I held the weekly update until today so that I could include my review of the new Fire In The Hole at Silver Dollar City, which held its media day on Wednesday.
But that's not the only new attraction that I was invited to preview this week. Keep reading for that and all the theme park news from the past week, which includes new park and attraction announcements, as well as confirmation of some opening dates.
New reviews
Silver Dollar City hits the mark with new Fire In The Hole: It's refreshing to see a park that's not part of an entertainment conglomerate lean into storytelling to drive an attraction. Rocky Mountain Construction's first indoor roller coaster reimagines Silver Dollar City's iconic dark ride in the new Fire In The Hole. But it is the story that has made this ride so memorable, and promises to make the new version an instant classic. [With on-ride video]
It's a blast from the past in Legoland California's Dino Valley: Where was Legoland's Dino Valley when I was eight? I don't know if my life would have turned out any differently, but my childhood sure would have been a lot more fun if I ever had the chance to visit a place that combined my two favorite things at that age - Legos and dinosaurs. But for today's kids, Legoland California delivers with a newly refreshed land that offers three dino-themed rides. [Also with on-ride video]
'Avatar' goes for another spin with new theme park ride: Sure, Disney CEO Bob Iger has promised another installation of Walt Disney World's Avatar attraction, this time at the Disneyland Resort in California. But I am not talking about that Avatar. This new ride is from the other Avatar - Nickelodeon's "Avatar: The Last Airbender."
Coming soon
Europa-Park sets opening date for new coaster: Voltron Nevera powered by Rimac will open officially on April 26. The Mack Rides Stryker coaster features 7 inversions, 4 launches, and what the park is calling the steepest launch in the world, at 105 degrees.
Gardaland installs new drop tower ride for 2024: Gardaland has taken delivery of and installed a new 82-foot-tall purple octagonal tower, revealing that its 2024 attraction will be a "Drop & Twist Tower."
Meet the new characters on Disney's new flume ride: With the opening of Tiana's Bayou Adventure just around the corner, Disney is introducing six new characters who will find a home on the new ride.
'Encanto' is coming to Walt Disney World this summer: Walt Disney World is preparing the finishing touches on EPCOT's multi-year transformation.
Groot is coming to Disney's It's a Small World: Just like other Small Worlds around the world have added Disney characters as sort-of Easter eggs within the classic dark ride, Tokyo Disney will take that to another level by adding "characters from "across the Marvel Cinematic Universe" in its rethemed "it's a small world with Groot" ride for a limited time.
Get ready to 'Train Your Dragon' at Universal Orlando: Universal Orlando this morning will reveal more details about another land in its upcoming Universal Epic Universe theme park. We got a little preview.
World's first Dragon Ball theme park set for Qiddiya City: Qiddiya Investment Company has signed a deal with Toei Animation to license the Dragon Ball franchise for a new theme park at the Qiddiya City development in Saudi Arabia.
Other news
Orlando's big wheel gets its old name back
California theme park pays off Super Bowl bet with ride retheme
SeaWorld celebrates its 60th birthday
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Best wishes for a great week, and thank you again for reading,
Robert Niles