The past week has been eventful in the theme park industry with major developments spanning from the UK to the US and China. Alton Towers in the UK has begun dismantling two rides—Postman Pat and Get Set Go Treetop Adventure—to make way for a new, record-breaking roller coaster slated for 2026, touted as the world’s shortest roller coaster. Meanwhile, Disney announced significant changes across their parks, including the upcoming closure of the Rivers of America and related attractions in Magic Kingdom by July 2025, to be replaced by a new Cars-inspired rally race attraction called Piston Peak. Disney California Adventure is also expanding with a Pixar’s Coco dark ride and a new Avatar area. Moreover, a new parking and transportation hub is planned to improve access. Understandably, Disney fans are adjusting to farewells like the closure of Muppet Vision 3D at Hollywood Studios, with the Muppets relocating to Rock and Roller Coaster by 2026.
In the US, new openings are on the horizon such as Alpen Fury at Canada’s Wonderland and Sirens Curse at Cedar Point, with opening dates announced in June 2025. Some rides, like Cedar Point’s Top Thrill 2, have faced technical setbacks but are back operating. Merlin Entertainments revealed progress on Legoland Shanghai, showing promising new family rides and Lego-themed landmarks. However, Merlin is also facing tough decisions, such as handing over management of Blackpool Merlin Attractions to local authorities, marking a significant shift in the UK theme park landscape.
A worrying development was shared from Luna Park in Coney Island where a developer is considering replacing the historic amusement district with a casino, which poses threats to classic rides and the park’s heritage.
Throughout these updates, there are hints of exciting future projects, such as a probable Ghostbusters-themed coaster at Universal Studios Florida and expansions at Universal Orlando Resort’s Epic Universe. The industry is also grappling with closures and refurbishments, balanced by new attractions, making the coming years pivotal.
Highlights
🎢 Alton Towers dismantling rides to build the world’s shortest roller coaster by 2026
🎡 Disney to close Rivers of America and related rides on 7th July 2025 for a new Cars-themed attraction
🏰 Disney California Adventure to add Pixar’s Coco dark ride and an Avatar area
🎠 New opening dates for Alpen Fury (Canada’s Wonderland) and Sirens Curse (Cedar Point) revealed
⚠️ Merlin Entertainment drops Blackpool attractions, handing management to local council
🎭 Closure of Muppet Vision 3D attracts large nostalgic crowds at Hollywood Studios
🎰 Coney Island’s historic Luna Park threatened by casino redevelopment plans
Key Insights
🎢 Alton Towers’ strategic ride removals signal a shift towards innovation: Removing two popular attractions to pave way for a record-breaking roller coaster implies significant investment in unique, headline-grabbing rides to boost attendance and brand strength in a competitive market. This also reflects a trend of parks prioritizing novelty and capacity optimization.
🏰 Disney’s closure of classic attractions reflects evolving storytelling priorities: The closure of Rivers of America and related rides shows Disney’s willingness to retire beloved but aging attractions to introduce IP-driven, modern attractions like Piston Peak, which attempts to balance nostalgia (water features maintained) with fresh themes to attract younger audiences.
🚧 Ongoing testing and phased openings are key to ride safety and hype: The completion of Alpen Fury’s track and subsequent clearance runs at Canada’s Wonderland demonstrate the meticulous care in opening new rides safely, while Cedar Point’s operational challenges with Top Thrill 2 highlight risks associated with pioneering new coaster technology.
🌍 Global expansion with regional customization is a Merlin focus: Merlin Entertainments’ work on Legoland Shanghai, including family-friendly rides and landmark Lego structures, reflects tailoring park experiences to local demographics and culture while aiming for global recognition via record-breaking features like the tallest Lego minifigure.
📉 Corporate restructuring echoes economic pressures: Merlin’s decision to relinquish control of Blackpool’s major attractions underscores financial or strategic recalibration, possibly due to market shifts or prioritizing resources, which may affect local tourism and community engagement.
🎢 Anticipated Universal Studios coaster re-theme hints at nostalgia’s power: The probable Ghostbusters roller coaster replacement for Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket signals leveraging established franchises that appeal to multiple generations, enhancing guest experience continuity and brand synergy.
🏛️ Historic park preservation threatened by modernization and development: Luna Park’s potential fate as a casino site in Coney Island spotlights the conflict between heritage conservation and commercial development pressures, a dilemma faced by many classic amusement parks worldwide.
In conclusion, the theme park industry is at a crossroads with a blend of nostalgia-driven closures, ambitious new rides, and strategic investments aligning toward the future, reflecting evolving consumer expectations and economic realities.