Happy New Year!
On June 1, 2021, Theme Park Magazine opened to the public with a focus on quality articles that highlight themed experiences. In 2022, that focus will remain, and the number of articles (and writers) will be expanded. Theme Park Magazine will also be launching a focused section dedicated to Theme Park news from all the wonderful publications online that cover theme parks.
Let’s take a look back at the Top 10 most-viewed themed experiences and theme park stories on Theme Park Magazine from 2021:
Number 10 – History of Log Flume Ride at Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino
This article told the story of the log flume ride at Buffalo Bill’s, the only log flume ride to travel through a casino. The log flume ride opened in 1994, closing in 2019. The possibility of it ever reopening is slim, but there is a possibility.
Click here to read “History of Log Flume Ride at Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino”
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Number 9 – Star Wars Hotel to Take Themed Experiences to New Heights
When Disney announced the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser (Star Wars hotel) experience, fans of Star Wars went crazy. The experience would be a two-night and three-day immersive adventure allowing fans to “live in” the Star Wars universe.
This article looked at the initial experience and includes an FAQ about Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.
Click here to read “Star Wars Hotel to Take Themed Experiences to New Heights”
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Number 8 – Start at Castle: The Making of Enchanted Forest
Oregon isn’t a state associated with theme parks. Yet it has one of the most impressive family-owned theme parks around. In 2021, Enchanted Forest Theme Park celebrated its 50th anniversary. The custom hand-crafted theming is quite impressive, especially since most of it was done by the park’s founder, Roger Tofte. Theme Park Magazine interviewed Tofte at Enchanted Forest – a visionary 92-year old who had to take a break from laying concrete in order to speak with the publication. This was Theme Park Magazine’s first Spotlight feature, an in-depth look into the history of Enchanted Forest, a park once visited by four Walt Disney Imagineers to take a look at its trackless dark ride, Challenge of Mondor.
Click here to read, “Start at Castle: The Making of Enchanted Forest”
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Number 7 – Destination Atlantis – Turning Movies into Themed Experiences
In 2021, the movie Atlantis: The Lost Empire turned 20 years old. While many people took a look back at the film, Theme Park Magazine took a look back at a Themed Experience Walt Disney Imagineers constructed for the opening of the film – Destination Atlantis.
Click here to read, “Destination Atlantis – Turning Themed Movies into Themed Experiences.”
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Number 6 – New Hologram Technology Could Take Theme Park Experiences to the Next Level
A company called Light Field Lab released a new hologram technology SolidLight, that appears ripe for theme parks and themed experiences. This new realistic hologram technology doesn’t require headsets or viewing devices. It’s just there and very lifelike.
Click here to read, “New Hologram Technology Could Take Theme Park Experiences to the Next Level.”
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Number 5 – The Immersive Industry Homecoming Summit Highlights Day Two
Theme Park Magazine was in attendance at The Immersive Industry Homecoming Summit that was held in late August at Area15 in Las Vegas. Theme Park Magazine wrote two articles on the summit. Part 2 of the article caught on with readers, propelling it to the fifth most viewed article in 2021.
Click here to read, “The Immersive Industry Homecoming Summit Highlights Day Two”
(want to read Part One first? Click here)
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Number 4 – SuperReal Immersive Experience Reopens in New York City
Created by Moment Factory and Cipriani, the SuperReal immersive experience reopened in New York City after being closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The digital interactive art experience uses projection and the architecture of a historic 100-year building to wow guests.
Click here to read, “SuperReal Immersive Experience Reopens in New York City”
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Number 3 – Liseberg Underland Dark Ride Adds Character to Rabbit Land
It’s been 40 years since Liseberg in Gothenburg, Sweden, added a dark ride to its park. In 2021 that changed with the addition of Underlandet (Underland in English) to its Kaninlandet (Rabbit Land) area. The creative, original, and fun ride took riders on an adventure to the home of the Liseberg rabbits (original IP).
Click here to read, “Liseberg Underland Dark Ride Adds Character to Rabbit Land”
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Number 2 – Interview with Themed Entertainment Artist David Borning
Theme Park Magazine’s interview with David Borning, a Walt Disney Imagineer intern behind the Snow White’s Enchanted Wish ride, was the most viewed article for most of 2021, only being surpassed in late November. The interview is very interesting as it shows how Walt Disney Imagineering will fully support a great idea even if it comes from an intern. Borning’s idea to upgrade and reimagine the Snow White ride at Disneyland (which has been a part of the park since its opening in 1955), was enthusiastically embraced and the refreshed version opened in 2021.
Click here to read, “Interview with Themed Entertainment Artist David Borning”
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and the Number 1 most read Theme Park Magazine article for 2021 is…
Rainforest Cafe Dark Ride – River Adventure in Galveston, Texas
Many people have been to a Rainforest Cafe. But unless you live in Galveston, Texas, most people aren’t aware that Rainforest Cafe has a dark ride – River Adventure. This article really resonated with readers who were fascinated to learn more about this dark ride that has been around since 2003.
Click here to read, ” Rainforest Cafe Dark Ride – River Adventure in Galveston, Texas “
And there you have it – the top themed experiences and theme park stories of 2021. As an interesting side note, the article with the most Likes on Theme Park Magazine in 2021 was the New Hologram Technology Could Take Theme Park Experiences to the Next Level article with 354 likes.
Theme Park Magazine looks forward to bringing you more insightful articles about theme parks and themed experiences in 2022. Please keep in contact with us:
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