AN ATTRACTIONS expert dubbed “Mr Theme Park” has revealed which two rides are the best in the world.
Dennis Spiegel has a long and successful career working on some of the most exciting themed entertainment projects.
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The rollercoaster expert recently claimed that Disney’s Buzz Lightyear ride has been one of the greatest attractions in the last 15 years.
This interactive and immersive experience allows riders to shoot rings in 3D and build up a score,
The hands-on ride is a sign of where the industry has gone, according to Dennis.
“The technology is changing so rapidly,” he added.
“I had lunch with someone in our industry who said if we could come back in 20 years, we wouldn’t recognize it.”
Dennis explained that theme park organisers should use technology to enhance guests’ experiences and make them more “participatory”.
The other top-tier ride that Dennis claims is second to none, is The Beast at Kings Island.
This wooden rollercoaster is over a mile and a half long with a four-minute total ride time.
It features two mega drops and a 560-degree tunnel.
Despite opening in 1977, The Beast is still ranked among the top ten rollercoasters, Dennis claimed.
The attraction expert shared that the Shooting Star at Coney Island was his favourite ride as a child
This 96ft high ride with a tunnel leading into the station inspired him to create his own version called the “Racer.”
It was the first significant wooden coaster built since 1972.
The “Racer” featured a red and blue car which raced each other to the finish line.
It comes after the UK’s fastest and tallest roller coaster was forced to close again just days after reopening.
CLOSED YET AGAIN
Hyperia at Thorpe Park opened on May 24 after much fanfare about its record-breaking potential.
The new ride closed after just a day in service and only reopened to the public last week.
However, the huge new ride has been forced to close yet again, just one week after it reopened to the public.
Thorpe Park posted a statement regarding the unexpected closure on X (formerly Twitter).
The statement reads: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are unable to open Hyperia today, Wednesday 19th June.
“We will update our ride availability page with the latest information regarding the opening of Hyperia beyond today.
“We apologise for the disappointment this will cause and we are working hard to reopen Hyperia as soon as possible and will keep people updated via our website and social media.”
Within minutes of the announcement, theme park fans took to X to express their frustration over the news.
One person wrote: “We have drove five hours to come here today and this is announced at park opening!
“We postponed from the last time it was closed. Seriously? We just arrived for a two-day stay for this!
“This is just ridiculous, your flagship ride and you have so many issues with it.”
And this Theme park in the UK is up for an award but you may not have heard of it before.
AWARD WINNING
Greenwood theme park in Wales is near Snowdonia, having opened in 1993.
The theme park is home to the world’s only “people-powered rollercoaster” called the Green Dragon Roller Coaster.
Along with being named North Wales’ Best Family Attraction, the theme park has been nominated in the 2024 UK Theme Park Awards for it’s sustainable rides.
Steve Lester, interim general manager at GreenWood Family Park said: “We have always been at the forefront of integrating sustainable techniques into the park’s operation so to receive this recognition is a great celebration of the efforts of our team over the last three decades.
“We now need Wales to get behind us, to help GreenWood win a UK Theme Park Award!”
If the weather is bad, there is also an indoor soft play, with prices between £3.50 and £6.
Fancy staying? There is an onsite glamping site which starts from £95, with each tipi having access to a full kitchen and hot showers.
Dogs can also be brought, with free logs for the indoor log burner and an outdoor BBQ area.
Theme park tickets range from £7 to £20 depending on height, while babies and carers go free.
Or you can buy bundle tickets for four people, which range from £75 to £95.
The majority of reviews for the theme park are positive, with families raving about it.
One wrote on TripAdvisor: “The park is immaculate and rides are great fun. All in all, the best day out we’ve had in years.”
Another called it a “beautiful secret” tucked in a forest.
Use these tips on your next theme park trip
Next time you visit a theme park, you may want to use our top tips to make the most of your adrenaline-inducing day out.
- Go to the back of the theme park first. Rides at the front will have the longest queues as soon as it opens.
- Go on water rides in the middle of the day in the summer – this will cool you off when the sun is at its hottest.
- Download the park’s app to track which rides have the shortest queues.
- Visit on your birthday, as some parks give out “birthday badges” that can get you freebies.
- If it rains, contact the park. Depending on how much it rained, you may get a free ticket to return.
