Theme parks and amusement parks appeal to us on two different, almost conflicting, levels. On the one hand, we seek nostalgia, particularly at the older trolley parks, in the form of time-tested and timeworn rides. Maybe it's a chance to reconnect with our own childhood amusement park memories, which can often be quite vivid. In those cases, we find great comfort in the parks' familiar sights and sounds.
On the other hand, we look to parks for the latest, greatest thrills and dazzling new technologies. 2003 will bring plenty of innovative themed attractions, thrill rides, and shows to your favorite parks. And that's a good thing. After all, today's shiny, new theme park and amusement park experiences, if they stand the test of time, will become tomorrow's patina-tinged nostalgia trip. Here are some featured attractions that will be playing at selected parks this season.
Shrek 4-D
The beguiling computer-animated blockbuster gets the 4-D treatment, including 3-D animation and sensory elements (look out for what Universal is calling "OgreVision"). Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz return to voice the characters. The story has something to with Lord Farquaad seeking revenge on the honeymooning Shrek and his bride, Princess Fiona. 3-D theme park attractions keep getting better and wilder. Shrek's seats will have the ability to move vertically and horizontally, so the presentation will be able to incorporate some of the thrills of a motion simulator attraction. With Shrek's built-in appeal and Universal's reputation for in-your-face fun, anticipation is high.
Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast
We had a Yabba-Dabba-Doo time with Fred Flintstone and his Hanna-Barbara friends, but the slick, computer-animated Jimmy Neutron is taking over the motion simulator theater near the front of the Universal Studios park this season. (There's some of that wistful nostalgia versus the excitement of something new I was referring to above.) As the ride begins, the Boy Genius of television and movie fame demonstrates a new invention. Predictably, things go horribly wrong and Jimmy recruits guests to help... SAVE THE WORLD! (Oh yeah, you'll have to save SpongeBob SquarePants also.) Something tells me it will all work out fine in the end.
Nickelodeon Central
- New 3-D presentation, kiddie rides, and shows
- Paramount's Great America
- Santa Clara (near San Francisco), California
- (408) 986-5988
Speaking of SpongeBob, the absorbent yellow guy gets around. He'll also be featured in a new Nick Slime Time show and star in his own 3-D motion simulator attraction. The expanded kids' area features ten new attractions in total, including the Wild Thornberry's Treetop Lookout spinning ride.
Drop Zone Stunt Tower
Freefall tower rides keep getting taller and, at 305 feet, this one sets a new record. 56 guests seated around a huge ring will slowly--agonizingly--rise to 272 feet before...yeahhhh! freefalling until the magnetic brakes kick in. This one will obviously be for thrill-seekers. That ubiquitous and porous SpongeBob also gets the 3-D motion simulator treatment at Kings Dominion's Action FX Theater.
Scooby-Doo and the Haunted Castle
Another interactive dark ride from the wonderful folks at Sally Rides. This one features the zoinky characters from the long-running Scooby-Doo series. Guests will be armed with a Fright Light ghost blaster to help Scooby and his friends hunt down the spooky creatures. The park will also debut the Giant Frisbee whirl-and-hurl ride, Delirium.
Liberty Launch
A double-shot tower ride, the Liberty Launch will blast riders 80 feet up the tower, where they will momentarily hang, freefall down, then get blasted up again. The ride will be in the park's 4th of July section. The Halloween area will get the HallowSwings, a flying carousel ride.
