MARKET REPORT: NORTH AMERICA
built family coaster spans six full acres and launches guests – three times - on an exhilarating search for the elusive Big Bear, a mythical bear which is said to live in the hills near Wildwood Grove. The ¾-mile long track features two twisted airtime hills, two tunnel pass-throughs, a high speed carousel turn, multiple bunny hops and the family-friendly top speed of 48 mph (77.2 km/h).
Big Bear Mountain’s unique trains are styled as four-wheel-drive SUVs and even feature working headlights and taillights. The on-board audio sound system adds to the overall experience with narration to accompany the trains’ dynamic movements and ‘updates’ for riders as they seek the Big Bear himself.
Major announcements While 2023 welcomed many new rides and attractions, the year was also filled with exciting – and often surprising - industry announcements. Universal Destinations & Experiences kicked off the year with a
January announcement it would build its first theme park designed specifically for families with young children in Frisco, Texas. The new project, Universal Kids Resort, will feature family-friendly attractions and themed lands, interactive shows, merchandise, food and beverage venues and character meet and greets, as well as a 300–room themed hotel. While Universal has not shared a targeted opening date, the 32-acre park officially broke ground in November. Texas is also readying to welcome a
beloved brand in 2024. In March, Merlin Entertainments and Hasbro announced the second Peppa Pig Theme Park in the United States would come to the city of North Richland Hills, located between Dallas and Fort Worth. The standalone park will include five rides, seven themed play areas, and a splash pad, and will have a similar footprint to its existing sister park located at Legoland Florida Resort. The park’s ‘hero’ ride will be Daddy Pig’s Roller Coaster, a Zamperla kiddie coaster that features two helixes and a launch mid-way through.
Merlin Entertainments also announced it
would add a third gate to its Florida resort. Joining Merlin’s global collection of over 50 SEA LIFE aquariums, SEA LIFE Florida is scheduled to open in Fall of 2024. The family-friendly aquarium will include a diverse range of marine life, interactive exhibits, and a special final seascape, ‘The Theme Park Under the Sea’. The new Sea Life aquarium will be the second in Florida and located adjacent to Legoland Florida and Peppa Pig Theme Park. With Hasbro partnering on the Peppa Pig Theme Park, Mattel is readying for its own destination. Mattel Adventure Park will open in Glendale in 2024. The mostly indoor park will include rides and attractions starring Hot Wheels, Barbie, Thomas and Friends, and the Masters of the Universe, along with a Chance Rides-built double-looping roller coaster. The nine-acre park will also feature a full-scale Barbie Beach House with a Barbie Dream Closet Experience featuring hologram technology, the Thomas & Friends: World of Sodor, a Castle Grayskull laser tag arena, a mini golf experience with nine holes inspired by Mattel games and an oversized UNO card climbing structure.
Dollywood’s Big Bear Mountain
Theme park merger As many seasonal parks wrapped up Halloween-themed events, and prepared to close for the winter months, Cedar Fair Entertainment Company and Six Flag, Inc. announced in early November an extensive plan to merge and create a new, combined company with a portfolio of 42 parks and nine resort properties across 17 states, Canada and Mexico. The new company will also continue to highlight and feature its existing characters and IP from Looney Tunes, DC Comics and PEANUTS. The company will be headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.
PARK WORLD Handbook & Buyer’s Guide 2023/24
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