Even by regular industry standards, 2019 has stood out for having an exciting lineup of new rides. While you’re probably not familiar with some of the overseas offerings, many of them rival or surpass what’s available in North America. Here are 15 new international attractions that theme park tourists should know.
Alton Towers Dungeon at Alton Towers
Image: Alton TowersPerhaps the most unique attraction that we’ll discuss is Alton Towers Dungeon. Park operators brag that this 45-minute walkthrough and ride highlights the history of Staffordshire. What they mean is that the Bishop of Stafford deems you a traitor and banishes you to a realm of plague and torture. This attraction features six (!) themed areas plus a boat ride. It’s an experience worthy of theme park immortality.
Ant-Man and the Wasp Nano Battle at Hong Kong Disneyland
Image: DisneyThe Marvel Cinematic Universe has gradually spilled over into Disney theme parks. While Ant-Man and the Wasp might be lower down on the superhero food chain, this attraction is as shiny as they come. In truth, it’s a re-skinning of Buzz Lightyear game rides around the world, just…prettier.
Desmo Race at Mirabilandia
Image: MirabilandiaYour next trip to Italy won’t be complete until you visit Mirabilandia, which is the most popular theme park in the country. Their 2019 expansion is Ducati World, the world’s first themed land based on motorcycles. Desmo Race, a dueling superbike roller coaster, is the prime draw here and will open soon.
Dueling Dragons at Guangzhou Sunac Land
No, I’m not talking about the Universal Studios attraction that is gone forever. Instead, I’m referencing an Intamin roller coaster coming to Guangzhou Sunac Land, an ascending theme park in China. Guangzhou already claims the most popular water park on the planet, and one of its theme parks is about to add a terrifying roller coaster. On this ride, twin dragon ride carts will zoom down the tracks, nearly colliding at various intervals. It’s hardcore enough that you’ll feel tempted to shout “Dracarys!” as you approach the other vehicle.
Dynamite at Freizeitpark Plohn
Despite my German heritage, I have no idea what Freizeitpark Plohn means, just that the park is the pride of Legenfeld, Germany. I DO know that this place once featured a cleverly themed mine coaster that has since been repurposed. The new version of the attraction, Dynamite, is a slick steel coaster that’s the park’s most expensive ride ever. Capable of speeds of 62 miles per hour, Dynamite has completely dropped all on-ride theming in favor of pure adrenaline.
Falcon at Wuxi Sunac Land
Something you’ll appreciate as you read this list is the way that European and Asian parks are stepping up with their theme park technology, no longer content to take a back seat to their North American peers. China is ascendant due to the massive amount of money flowing into the theme park industry today.
Wuxi Sunac Land in the Jiangsu province opened on July 1st and instantly wowed observers with Falcon, a high-voltage coaster that goes 72 miles per hour across almost 4,200 feet of track. And, oh yes, it’s a wing-coaster!
Foresta Incantata at Gardaland
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter isn’t the only theme park where you can pretend to master the mystical arts. Gardaland at Lake Garda, Italy, is home to a magic mine and an enchanted forest. During the walkthrough parts of the attraction, you’ll encounter helpful wizards and interactive magical artifacts. The “ride” portion of the experience takes place in a digital theater, where you will learn how the mystical realm works…as long as you speak Italian.
Haunted House Monster Party at LEGOLAND Windsor
I don’t have to tell you how popular the haunted house theme is today. Spirit Halloween stores are ubiquitous, while Halloween Horror Nights at Universal and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party have spiked in popularity over the past few years. Other theme parks have gotten into the act with more permanent offerings. At LEGOLAND Windsor, Haunted House Monster Party is an adorable, child-friendly indoor ride hosted by a Lego vampire turned DJ. It’s AMAZING!
Mission Ferrari at Ferrari World
Image: Ferrari WorldAbu Dhabi’s Ferrari World is already home to the fastest roller coaster in the world, Formula Rossa. For 2019, this destination theme park has added another terrific ride for thrill seekers. Mission Ferrari is capable of up to 4.8 G’s of force during its 1.4-mile journey, making it one of the longest and roughest rides on the planet. The violence of the attraction is such that you’re required to wear protective goggles during the journey! You’ll feel like a professional driver! How great is that?
Popcorn Revenge at Walibi Belgium
Undoubtedly the new attraction with the best name this year is Popcorn Revenge. This title isn’t a pair of words randomly thrown together, either. The attraction is a kind of interactive movie experience, with theming that suggests that your ride cart is a “Drive-In Seat.” From your moving chair, you will attempt to – I swear – pour condiments onto kernels of popcorn. Yes, it’s a gamified attraction and yes, your “gun” shoots imaginary butter. There’s even a boss fight! The entire ride is adorable.
Sequoia Magic Loop at Gardaland
While Foresta Incantata is more of an attraction than a ride, Gardaland has also added a thrilling roller coaster called Sequoia Magic Loop. Its name stems from the oddity of the coaster tracks, which seemingly disappear right in front of you. Your ride cart will get moved and spun in a way that will remind you of luggage at Baggage Claims. It’s equal parts unsettling and stimulating.
Sesame Street: Street Mission at Port Aventura
Since 1995, theme park tourists have flocked to the Costa Daurada aka Golden Coast of Spain to visit Port Aventura. This place was once a Universal Studios property, but it’s actually been better run as an independent. To wit, Street Mission is a dark ride where guests work with Detective Grover to piece together the clues for a mystery. Your inner child will squeal with delight as you navigate Sesame Street to solve the puzzle!
Soarin’: Fantastic Flight at Tokyo DisneySea
A couple of the attractions listed here aren’t open yet, but all of them will be by the end of the summer. As an example, the official opening date is July 23rd for Tokyo Disneyland’s exclusive version of Soarin’. While this ride is based on Soarin’ Around the World, it’ll have the expected Tokyo DisneySea spin, which is to say that its theming will be sublime. Park officials already unveiled the ride building; it’s Fantastic Flight Museum, and you’ll want to watch the included video. It ties into the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A.)!
Speedy Beetle at Luna Park Melbourne
Image: Luna Park MelbourneMelbourne, Australia, is home to one of the oldest amusement parks on the planet. Luna Park debuted in 1912 and has continuously operated for more than 100 years. Park officials don’t rest on the storied laurels of Luna Park, though.
Lindsay Fox loved visited the place when he was a child in the 1940s and purchased it in 2005 to restore it to glory. He frequently updates it to achieve that goal, and Speedy Beetle is the latest new project. It’s a spinning children’s coaster that’s technically the “oldest” ride on this list. The construction team managed to get it working in time for Christmas week of 2018, but I’m including it since I love talking about Luna Park Melbourne.
Untamed – Walibi Holland
Biddinghuizen, Netherlands, is the location of Holland’s Walibi park. Yes, it’s owned by the same people that operate Walibi Belgium. A consortium called Compagnie des Alpes runs several theme parks and ski resorts in Europe. To keep each of their properties fresh and unique, they add new attractions on a near-annual basis.
Untamed is Walibi Holland’s major enhancement for the year. Formerly the Robin Hood wooden roller coaster, Untamed is a hybrid steel/wood coaster with a massive 80-degree drop. Park officials brag that it has five inversions and a total of 14 different air-time hops during the ride experience. And the gorgeous landscape provides a serene backdrop through all of the coaster’s twists and turns.
For theme park tourists, a European vacation with a Walibi theme park focus is a wonderful idea.
