As many of us prepare for the arrival of Christmas, here are the gifts that I most especially am grateful that theme park fans got during the past year.
Flight of Passage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World: This exhilarating simulation of flying on a Mountain Banshee from James Cameron’s “Avatar” left many fans emotionally overwhelmed by the beauty of the ride’s climax. It’s the highlight of the new Pandora – The World of Avatar that has become a must-see for theme park fans.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout! at Disney’s California Adventure: Devoted fans blasted Disney’s decision to close the The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, but almost all of them quickly fell in love with this delightful musical adventure once they rode it. And the special Halloween version might have been even more fun.
The Hogwarts Castle shows: Universal Studios Hollywood made brilliant use of projection mapping in transforming Hogwarts Castle in its Wizarding World of Harry Potter for two new nighttime light shows that kept fans coming back in the land’s second year.
Universal’s new approach to queuing: The new Jimmy Fallon “The Tonight Show” ride in Orlando is nothing special – a Soarin’-like “flying theater” ride through New York City – but it offers a novel alternative to the traditional queue. You make a reservation time on Universal’s app, then spend time in a Tonight Show museum and a “green room” with live performances by the Ragtime Gals barbershop singers and Hashtag the Panda before boarding the ride.
The Krakatau Volcano at Universal Orlando’s Volcano Bay: Unlike many of Disney’s castles, the visual “weenie” in the middle of Universal Orlando’s new water park delivers multiple attractions within, including three high-speed, trapdoor water slides and a water coaster that might have been the best pure thrill ride of the year.
Symbolica: Palace of Fantasy at Efteling: This trackless dark ride through the new castle at the heart of one of Europe’s most popular theme parks starts with one of the great pre-show reveals in the industry. And it’s just a joy throughout, all the way to the ride vehicles “dancing” together in the grand ballroom at ride’s end.
Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World: Something rare for Disney, the new nighttime show at Animal Kingdom eschews the company’s animated characters in favor of a sublime production that celebrates the beauty and wonder of the natural world.
Disney’s Maxpass: Yeah, I wanted to hate it, too. An upcharge to manage otherwise free Fastpasses on your phone? But after using Maxpass to breeze through Disneyland and California Adventure more easily than ever before (at least on a day when it wasn’t pouring rain), I’m sold on this new ride reservation management system … at least until Disney jacks the price into the stratosphere.
Mobile food ordering at Walt Disney World: The next thing I want to do with my phone at Disney is be able to order food in advance from counter service locations, like Walt Disney World introduced this year. Mobile ordering is a wonderful convenience outside of theme parks. More in-park restaurants should offer it, too.
Six Flags Magic Mountain going to everyday operation in 2018: Let’s wrap this list with a look ahead. The roller coaster capital of the world is scheduled to be open every day in 2018, allowing fans to get their thrill fix on the park’s coasters anytime the urge strikes. What a way to start the new year!
