In spite of the recession, almost all Americans who had to choose between national parks (often free of charge or little cost per person) and theme parks (often more expensive per person) opted for theme parks. Now it seems that theme parks are ensuring their dedicated customers return each season by investing millions into renovations.
The Big Four
With the summer months beginning the four largest theme parks in Orlando--Disney, SeaWorld, Legoland, and Universal—are all opening new attractions. Ohio recently unveiled the opening of a new roller coaster in Cedar Point while in Las Vegas, Memorial Day weekend unveiled a new water park with a price tag of $50 million. Along the coast, Disneyland offers tourists a chance to see all of the Disney princesses in one spot. At the same time, four other theme parks in California have opened new roller coasters.
These new attractions are aimed at creating “immersive experiences” for visitors through the newest innovations. For instance, Disneyworld has expanded their area, Fantasyland, making it the largest project to take place at the park is its entire history. The expansion allows visitors to see characters and enjoy a rides based on some of the classic Disney films like Beauty and the Beast, Dumbo, and the Little Mermaid. Visitors can walk through magical lands where costumed characters abound.
Disney is not the only place to invest heavily in improving the visitor experience. Hollywood Studios is continuing to create new rides because they feel that in doing so they can appeal to every member of any family. With interactive rides and simulator technology, visitors to Universal Studios Orlando can enjoy a real life Transformers experience with smoke, heat, and wind to add to the scene.
Beyond Just Rides
Rides are not the only expansion this money is covering. Theme parks are adding rides and restaurants to match for new movies. For instance, visitors can start with a penguin ride that takes them through the scenes of a beloved movie and end up in a live penguin exhibit. After that they can stop at the penguin restaurant for refreshments. Of course no penguin were harm during this adventure.
Live animal attractions are not the only thing that is new. Interactive play areas, theme-decorated guest rooms at on-site hotels, and thrill rides are becoming very popular. Visitors to Great America will be able to enjoy the newest wooden roller coaster, the Golden Striker. In Santa Cruz the beach boardwalk is getting a facelift as well with a spinning roller coaster. Six Flags Magic Mountain offers the tallest vertical loop in the world and at Knotts Berry Farm visitors will get to recreate the feeling of driving up and down the California coast.
As the saying goes, competition is good for the consumers. Not only do these theme parks have to compete with other source of outdoor entertainment such as national parks and festivals, they have to compete with each other. Florida and California definitely feels the heat as competing theme parks are only a short drive away.
Noc writes about traveling and technology and enjoy theme parks where lodging from Travel Advantage Network can be found nearby.
