What's New for Amusements Parks in 2018

Amusement parks are just plain ol’ fun. No matter how old you are, there are attractions, rides and water rides.

“The amusement and attractions industry is dynamic and innovative,” said Susan Storey, director of communications of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). “Each year, we look forward to seeing something new while remaining true to providing fun, memorable experiences to guests of all ages.”

I had a chance to talk to Storey about what you can expect to see in the parks this year as the industry surges forward. According to the IAAPA Global Theme and Amusement Park Outlook Report (2017 to 2021), the anticipated U.S. theme and amusement park attendance estimate in 2018 will be 398.5 million people, and the U.S. market will total an estimated $23.58 billion during 2018.

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Technology continues to play a key role.

“In particular, parks have developed new ways to apply technology, such as virtual reality (VR), to rides and attractions,” said Storey. “For instance, virtual reality technology can be applied to an existing ride, allowing the park to offer an entirely new experience on something that is already a guest favorite, or it can be headline draw for a brand-new attraction, created especially for guests who engage with VR in other ways.”

Virtual reality remains an interesting and exciting part of the attraction industry.

“The application of virtual reality to attractions, immersive walk-thru experiences and even rides such as roller coasters is both innovative and continuing to grow,” she said.

“Last fall, during the IAAPA Attractions Expo 2017 in Orlando, many exhibitors debuted and displayed new ways parks and attractions could use and apply virtual reality to their facilities for their guests. Today’s guests are used to using technology to entertain them, and the attractions industry continues to apply technology enhancements to guests of all ages.”

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Technology also enhances the story-telling that accompanies so many new attractions and rides, allowing parks to transport guests to immersive lands or destinations. It has also helped to enhance the guest experience.

“Examples include using apps that allow guests to pre-order their meals, or to hold a space in line rather than queuing,” Storey said. “Enhanced 'virtual wallets' allow guests to not have to worry about carrying cash or credit cards and instead can save everything to a wristband.”

There will also be many rollercoasters debuting in the United States and around the world.

“Coupled with facility attractions, we will see more than 75 new experiences debut at IAAPA member amusement parks, attractions, zoos, aquariums, museums and more in the United States and Canada,” said Storey. “From a global perspective, there are almost 100 new rides/attractions planned worldwide.”

Nearly 60 parks across the U.S. will introduce new rides/attractions in 2018, including more than 20 major rides. This includes 12 roller coasters, four giant swings, four towering rides and many other daring experiences to excite visitors.

“This year also brings more than 25 family-friendly experiences, including new family entertainment centers and rides designed for parents and kids to experience together,” she noted.

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Five new large-scale attractions or lands have been announced for 2018, including “Toy Story Land” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios near Orlando, Florida, and the “Camp Snoopy” kids’ area at Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina. 15 new water-centric rides—including five major water slides such as Ray Rush at Aquatica Orlando—are on the way as well.

For information on amusement park safety, visit the IAAPA website.