Amusement/theme parks have been entertaining families and thrillseekers for generations, evolving over the years to feature newer, smoother and better themed attractions. But some of these parks we know and love today are older than you’d expect- some even date back to the 1840s! Many of the world’s oldest theme parks elaborate histories with remnantsContinue reading “Magic and History: The oldest theme parks around the world”
Tag Archives: Theme Parks
From Cyberspace to the Desert: history of Chessington’s 5th Dimension and Terror Tomb
Over the past decades Chessington World of Adventures in the UK has been known for it’s immersive, family-friendly experiences, particularly in its earliest years. At this park you can fly through the trees of Transylvania with a vampire, venture into an African safari, and get up close and personal with tigers, but as the WorldContinue reading “From Cyberspace to the Desert: history of Chessington’s 5th Dimension and Terror Tomb”
Rides That Never Left The Drawing Board- Part 2 (Non-Disney)
If you read our previous post on Disney rides and attractions that were designed but never built, you’ll know that many attractions go through a few different drafts of an idea before finally building something. Parks outside of Disney (and maybe Universal) don’t do this as much, generally speaking, but it does still happen fromContinue reading “Rides That Never Left The Drawing Board- Part 2 (Non-Disney)”
Rides That Never Left The Drawing Board- Part 1 (Disney Parks)
It takes years for a new ride or attraction to be constructed, from the initial planning permissions being submitted and approved, to the announcements and teasers, to construction then finally a grand opening. But some rides never get off the ground, with plans being kept in storage or scrapped altogether. Join me in exploring whatContinue reading “Rides That Never Left The Drawing Board- Part 1 (Disney Parks)”
Tall and Speedy: the story of the Intamin Accelerators
There was a time when lifthills were not just commonplace on coasters; they were compulsory for a working ride. A train travelling up a lifthill was the only way to gain enough momentum to complete the circuit- that was, until 1978 when Montezooma’s Revenge opened at Knotts Berry Farm in California, the first coaster toContinue reading “Tall and Speedy: the story of the Intamin Accelerators”
Walt Disney World’s Most Underrated Rides- a collab with Coaster Sam Blog
Disney theme parks have been bringing the magic to guests since 1955, opening a multitude of new, immersive attractions at locations around the world. It’s always exciting when a new ride opens for the first time, but this has a downside too- existing rides, so matter how iconic, loved or nostalgic they are, can beginContinue reading “Walt Disney World’s Most Underrated Rides- a collab with Coaster Sam Blog”
The Vekoma SLC- cloneable success or painful failure?
They’re some of the most well-known rides in the theme park industry, loved by much of the general public but hated by enthusiasts. The first Vekoma SLC, or Suspended Looping Coaster opened at Walibi Holland in 1994, and since then the Dutch ride manufacturer has continued to build SLCs, up until 2017 when the lastContinue reading “The Vekoma SLC- cloneable success or painful failure?”
Camelot Theme Park: A Medieval Knightmare
It’s 1983. Twenty-one years after the Martin Mere lake of Lancashire was drained, a brand new theme park was opening on the land. At first Camelot Theme Park, named after the story of Camelot and The Knights of the Round Table, was a huge success among the families who visited, however, as larger and moreContinue reading “Camelot Theme Park: A Medieval Knightmare”
Arrow Masterpieces from Around The World
November 1945 was the beginning of something incredible for the amusement park industry, which then was practically non-existent, other than a few regional parks temporarily closed (that sounds all too familiar!) due to the Second World War. In a small workshop in Northern California, engineers Karl Bacon and Ed Morgan began a machine shop, andContinue reading “Arrow Masterpieces from Around The World”
Frozen vs. Maelstrom: the battle of the Norway Pavilion
Norway is a country of beauty, wonder and of course adventure, and this was represented incredibly well by the Norway Pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase. The pavilion opened in June 1988, and for over 25 years remained largely the same, with a single darkride that brought the spirit of Norway to Florida, among other servicesContinue reading “Frozen vs. Maelstrom: the battle of the Norway Pavilion”
Coaster Dreamers 