Orlando, Florida is the undisputed theme park capital of the world. But over the last few decades, a host of theme parks have opened their gates in the Sunshine State, only to close them again shortly afterwards. The opening of Walt Disney World in 1971 transformed the Florida tourism market. Since then, a number of…
Roller coaster designers are always looking to push the boundaries to generate new levels of excitement. Sometimes, though, they can go too far… The basic concept of a gravity-driven roller coaster has evolved substantially over the past two centuries, and coasters now come in a variety of shapes, sizes and types. Traditional wooden coasters live…
The 1980s was an era of change for Disney theme parks, with the debut of Epcot and a “trendier” image under new CEO Michael Eisner. Let’s take a look at the attractions that resulted. There were three underlying themes in many of Disney’s new attractions in the 1980s. The first was a focus on new…
Bermuda shorts. Kylie Minogue. The Goonies. All unforgettable elements of the 1980s – as are these 6 classic Alton Towers attractions from the park’s early years. Alton Towers in the 1980s was a very different place to the current park. Run by eccentric entrepreneur John Broome, the park was regarded by many as being more…
This is the weekly rumor and refurbishment update for Orlando-area theme parks for the week of January 12, 2014. Walt Disney World: Magic Kingdom: A crane is now onsite at the Magic Kingdom next to Cinderella Castle. The crane is there to remove the 500,000 lights used during the castle dream lights and for refurbishment…
Disney is better known for its dark rides and castles than for its roller coasters. Over the years, though, it has designed some impressive-sounding coasters that never saw the light of day. For every idea that leaves Imagineering and makes it into one of Disney’s parks, there are many others that are canned for practical…
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the youngest of Walt Disney World’s theme parks, having debuted in 1998. Despite this, a number of attractions that have featured in the park are now closed for good. Some of the closed rides and shows are missed by guests. Others are seen as having deservedly been consigned to the history…
Theme Park Tourist takes a look back at some of the prototype roller coasters that left their mark within the industry.
Disney’s Imagineers have created many magical and amazing attractions over the years. Sometimes, though, they are abandoned – and left to rot.
The UK’s American Adventure theme park closed at the end of the 2006 season. Take a look at what became of the site.
