ORLANDO, Fla. — You’re flying alongside Superman, seeing the world as the Man of Steel views it, thanks to virtual reality headsets on a roller coaster at Six Flags New England.
Or you’re feeling the fear as you come face to face with King Kong, 30 feet tall, at Universal Orlando’s new Skull Island attraction.
These are a few examples of the heightened experiences awaiting visitors at theme parks across the country. Parkgoers are no longer just sitting back to enjoy the ride. Thanks to virtual reality, interactive features and other new technology, they’re playing roles and experiencing rides as never before.
“In terms of virtual reality, this has the chance to revolutionize the roller coaster experience,” said Colleen Mangone, director of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.
This season will also be about thrills and speed as several exciting roller coasters open across the country. Mako, a new shark-themed attraction at SeaWorld, is being billed as the tallest and fastest coaster in Orlando when it opens in June.
Universal Studios Hollywood is buzzing about a new “Walking Dead” attraction coming in July, along with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which opened in April. In Tennessee, Dollywood’s Lightning Rod is sure to thrill wooden coaster enthusiasts.
• FLORIDA.
Universal Orlando will debut one of the most anticipated rides in the country when Skull Island: Reign of Kong opens in July. Visitors will explore the jungle home of the legendary beast. The 30-foot-tall, 18-foot-wide Kong will be brought to life by 3-D technology and animatronics. The ride opens to the public following a June 23 preview event.
SeaWorld Orlando’s shark-themed Mako, opening June 10, will hit speeds of up to 73 mph with the highest point at 200 feet covering nearly a mile of track.
At Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., the dark ride Frozen Ever After is scheduled to open in late June in Epcot’s Norway Pavilion. A boat takes riders into the kingdom of Arendelle during the winter festival. At Disney World’s Animal Kingdom, night safaris launched Memorial Day weekend, allowing guests to see nocturnal animals and observe their habits.
• CALIFORNIA.
On July 4, Universal Studios Hollywood is slated to open The Walking Dead, based on the hit AMC show.
Also at Universal Studios Hollywood, fans can immerse themselves in the recently opened Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It’s similar to the original Potter land at Universal Orlando, but the marquee ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, has added some unique 3-D technology.
Legoland California in Carlsbad joined the interactive fray when it debuted Ninjago in early May. Riders actually influence the outcome of the battle by using hand gestures to shoot, rather than laser guns, to help fight off evil during the experience.
At Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, The Joker, a hybrid steel and wooden coaster, leaves riders a little twisted — but in a good way. The park has added steel tracks to the wooden frame of the Roar coaster, built in 1999, to create the hybrid experience.
• MASSACHUSETTS.
Six Flags New England in Agawam debuts Superman: The Ride Virtual Reality Coaster on June 11. Riders will wear wireless headsets providing high-resolution imagery and 360-degree views synchronized to the coaster.
• OHIO.
Cedar Point in Sandusky opened Valravn in early May. Riders will hang over the edge of the first hill, 20 stories high, for four seconds before dropping at a 90-degree angle at 75 mph.
• TENNESSEE.
Dollywood has unveiled its hot rod-themed Lightning Rod ride. It’s billed as the world’s first launched wooden coaster and fastest wooden coaster, capable of reaching speeds of up to 73 mph.
