An Epic year for parks
The 10 most anticipated attractions and rides debuting in 2025 (that aren’t coasters)
Among the many joys of my work, I get to meet and interview some fascinating, wonderful folks in the industry. People like June Ward, the octogenarian candy maker who has been dishing out sweet treats and her trademark humor for decades at Silver Dollar City. You can read about my encounter with Miss June in my Funworld magazine column.
As I’ve already shared with you, there are some incredible coasters rolling out this year. AlpenFury at Canada’s Wonderland near Toronto and the wacky Siren’s Curse at Cedar Point in Ohio are among the top 10 most anticipated thrill machines opening in North America. And the record-shattering Falcon’s Flight at Six Flags Qiddiya City in Saudi Arabia tops the list of drool-worthy coasters that will be debuting in 2025 beyond the continent. But there’s plenty more to get excited about at parks this year–including entirely new parks. Let’s run down the ten attractions and rides (that aren’t coasters) generating the most buzz.
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry at Universal Epic Universe in Florida
When Universal opened the first Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the jaw-dropping land cast a spell on park fans and elevated theme park design to lofty levels. Some fifteen years later, the park chain is poised to top itself with its latest Wizarding World, Ministry of Magic, one of the five lands at the hugely anticipated Epic Universe. For its flagship attraction, Muggles will hop aboard the Métro-Floo to travel to the British Ministry of Magic in 1990s-era London. Instead of witnessing the trial of Dolores Umbridge as planned however, they will find themselves on the run from the sorceress and her evil allies aboard omni-directional elevators. The ride vehicles will be powered by KUKA robotic arms, the same technology used for the groundbreaking Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride. The Universal Creative folks contend that Battle at the Ministry will be their most ambitious attraction yet. Granted, this is an industry that is prone to sling sometimes questionable hyperbole at the drop of a sorting hat. But given Universal’s track record, I’m inclined to believe the hype on this one.
Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment at Universal Epic Universe in Florida
Honestly, I can’t decide which Epic Universe attraction has me going the most gaga, Battle at the Ministry or Monsters Unchained. Word on the midway is that the ride headlining Dark Universe, the land that pays homage to Universal’s classic monsters, is the one to beat. Guests will venture into the gothic Frankenstein Manor where they will encounter startlingly lifelike animatronic representations of Frankenstein’s Monster, The Mummy, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, and other silver screen scaremeisters. Never shy about scaring the bejesus out of guests, Universal says that The Frankenstein Experiment will embrace horror and push the boundaries of in-your-face psychological thrills like never before.
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge at Universal Epic Universe in Florida
The attraction anchoring the new park’s Super Nintendo World land is every bit as epic as Monsters Unchained and Battle at the Ministry. But since many fans (myself included) have already had a chance to experience Mario Kart at Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Hollywood, it’s not quite as buzz-worthy. Still, as the first major park attraction to feature augmented reality, it is a revelation, and newbies will be blown away (as I was when I first rode it). In addition to the AR media, the third iteration of Mario Kart will incorporate practical sets with animatronics, projection mapping, star fields, high-resolution video screens, and plenty of other themed entertainment razzle-dazzle to transport guests into one of the world’s most beloved video games.
The Enchanted Greenhouse at Six Flags Qiddiya City in Saudi Arabia
Epic Universe isn’t the only major theme park opening this year. The coasters are getting most of the attention at the new Six Flags park, but it will also feature plenty of other attractions including this E-Ticket dark ride. Guests aboard trackless, MultiMover vehicles will be armed with “dew sprayer” shooters and will be tasked with identifying hidden butterflies and scoring points. The richly detailed sets will include animatronics, digital media, projection mapping, and more and will be outfitted with 6,200 plants, both real and imagined. With its bioluminescent flora, The Enchanted Greenhouse bears resemblance to Disney’s Pandora – The World of Avatar.
Aquaticar Legend of the Glowing Guardian at AquArabia in Saudi Arabia
The massive Qiddiya City entertainment district will include much more than Six Flags. For one, the AquArabia water park is also on tap to open this year. The lushly themed park will offer more than the usual water slide suspects, including the world’s first Aquaticar. Developed by Sub Sea Systems in the U.S., I’ve been following the development of its crazy concept for some time. If you can believe it, passengers will be completely submersed as they take a four-and-a-half-minutes ride in two-passenger, underwater, interactive vehicles through colorful coral reefs and other sets.
Walt Disney – A Magical Life at Disneyland in California
The man who championed Audio-Animatronics will himself be immortalized as a robotic character in a new show that’s set to open at Disneyland’s Main Street Opera House. Walt will speak from a set made to look like the office from which he appeared during the opening of the television shows he hosted in the 1950s and 60s.
Zootopia: Better Zoogether! at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida
With neighborhood multiplexes routinely presenting 3D movies, 4D presentations at theme parks have lost their novelty. Still, it’s likely that Better Zoogether!, which is taking over the theater vacated by It’s Tough to be a Bug!, will be a compelling attraction. It’s likely that it will include at least one animatronic character as well as other effects not found at the local AMC.
Immersive Experience at SeaWorld Orlando and Barbie Flying Theatre at Mattel Adventure Park in Arizona
They are not as omnipresent as 3D films, but flying theaters, once the province of theme parks, are popping up in places other than along midways. Parks, including SeaWorld Orlando and the new Mattel Adventure Park (which has been delayed a number of times but appears poised to finally open this year), are still sending guests aloft, however. Both will likely follow the model established by Disney with Soarin’. Little has been revealed about the Barbie-themed attraction, but the SeaWorld folks say that their flying theater will take passengers on a journey to the Arctic, complete with beluga whale encounters and a front-row seat to ogle the Aurora Borealis. I’d have to imagine that “Immersive Experience” is a placeholder title, and that the Florida park will announce the attraction’s actual name before it opens this spring.
Sirocco Tower at Six Flags Qiddiya City in Saudi Arabia
It seems that many officials in the Middle East, including the folks developing Qiddiya City, love breaking records (hence, Falcon’s Flight). Another jaw-dropper at the new Six Flags park will be Sirocco Tower. At 476 feet, it will handily take the crown from the recently retired, 415-foot-tall Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey as the planet’s tallest drop tower ride. While it will be a mere few feet taller than the current champ, the park’s Gyrospin will nonetheless claim bragging rights as the world’s tallest pendulum swing ride.
Share your takes on the new parks and attractions opening this year.
Loved the article about Miss June!