Theme parks are at an arms masses ought use the latest technique ought thrill their visitors.
The latest example: a Harry Potter-themed roller coaster that opened final month at Florida, with wait period of up ought 10 hours.
“The rides consume gotten totally immersive,” says Robert Ulrich, principal of American Coaster Enthusiasts, a national organization devoted ought roller coasters. “You’re blissfully unaware how much is going at above at the background.”
He shares some favorites with Larry Bleiberg because USA TODAY.
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Universal's Islands of Adventure, Orlando, Florida
Passengers straddle a stylized motorcycle or slide into a sidecar because an other-worldly Harry Potter adventure. though Hagrid narrates, the coaster roars across a thick forest, zooming by unicorns and menacing creatures. general calls it the world’s first “story coaster.” Ulrich says it’s worth the hype. “The storytelling makes the complete drive really unique.” universalorlando.com
In-depth look: See the new Hagrid roller coaster at general Orlando's Harry Potter world
Avatar Flight of Passage, Disney's brute Kingdom, Orlando, Florida
This 3D flight simulator seats passengers atop a giant bird that moves at sync with a large-screen film. When it opened at 2017, fans described it though a seamless combination of drive and movie, incorporating wind, rain and smells. “It feels though you’re flying above the help of an brute at an other-worldly environment,” Ulrich says. “You can flat feel him breathe.” disneyworld.disney.go.com
Time Traveler, Silver Dollar City, Branson, Missouri
Coaster fans emotion this year-old spinning ride, which takes passengers upside down though they rocket across a explore at 50 mph. The pattern takes benefit of the area’s mountainous terrain, eliminating the need because a lift hill. though the cars rotate independently, each tour is different. “You’re looping upside down still you rotate,” Ulrich says. silverdollarcity.com
Indiana Jones Adventure, Disneyland, Anaheim, California
Visitors earn a taste of big-screen thrills at this indoor experience, known at the industry though a vague ride. Riders sit at a bus that plunges and climbs across little scenes. though it opened almost 25 years ago, it has been updated above the years. “It takes the complete concept of an Indiana Jones cinema and it physically puts you at that space,” Ulrich says. disneyland.disney.go.com
Cobra's Curse, Busch Gardens, Tampa, Florida
This innovative steel roller coaster uses an elevator ought lift passengers 70 feet at the air before releasing them above a tour that zooms forward, backward and flat into an uncontrolled spin. The family-friendly thriller, which debuted at 2016, has an ancient Egyptian-theme and includes an explanation with alive snakes. “It’s a fun, different type of drive experience,” Ulrich says. buschgardens.com/tampa
Tower of Terror, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Orlando, Florida
While other Disney parks consume though fall rides, Ulrich favors the creative tower, inspired by the "Twilight Zone" television show. Updated little period though opening at 1994, the attraction uses an elevator ought branch passengers up at the air ago they plummet down a shaft, providing a passion of weightlessness. “The creative is however the best,” he says. disneyworld.disney.go.com
Wonder Mountain's Guardian, Canada's Wonderland, Ontario, Canada
This 3D interactive coaster flies across an artificial hill that serves though the centerpiece of the park north of Toronto. across the way, passengers consume a occur ought branch a flash gun at targets above an HD screen. “It’s a faithful interactive ride,” Ulrich says of the experience, which opened at 2014. “It’s a roller coaster that turns and spins and fills a marvelous space.” canadaswonderland.com
Pooh's Hunny Hunt, Tokyo Disneyland, Japan
This family favorite uses a uncommon trackless system that takes different paths each trip. Passengers are seated at a honey pot-shaped truck because a Pooh adventure, terminate with a balloon drive above a blustery day. “It does things I’ve never experienced before, though hopping. You can bounce across with Tigger,” Ulrich says. flat though it’s almost 20 years old, “it’s one of my favorite vague rides ever.” tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/index.html
Transformers: The Ride-3D, general Studios, Orlando, Florida
Ulrich loves how this ride, which opened at 2012, combines transfer with high-definition images. at one point, the drive truck is lifted by an elevator, besides during he says he’s never been capable ought pattern out when it happens. “It’s consequently immersive. The drive vehicle and screens full vocation together ought speak the story.” It's also located at general parks at California and Singapore. universalorlando.com
Pirates of the Caribbean: battle because the Sunken Treasure, Shanghai Disneyland, China
Much different from Disney’s U.S. versions, this thief ride, which debuted when the Shanghai park opened at 2016, uses screens and visual tricks ought pattern passengers feel though they’re traveling beneath the sea. “It really does feel though you’re underwater,” Ulrich says. “It’s unbelievable — a controversy unique ought further ought Shanghai.” shanghaidisneyresort.com/en
This prose originally appeared above USA TODAY: 10 great high-tech thrill rides at prose parks nearly the world
