The Tribune

THRILLING new experiences await visitors at theme parks across the United States this summer, with park-goers no longer just sitting back to enjoy the ride.

Thanks to virtual reality, interactive features and other new technology, they are playing roles and experiencing rides as never before.

“In terms of virtual reality, this has the chance to revolutionise the roller coaster experience,” said Colleen Mangone, director of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. “The guests physically ride the roller coaster while wearing the virtual reality headsets. So their visual line follows a story line or they could be accompanying a superhero. They are flying next to the superhero and as the superhero dives down, the coaster is diving down.”

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. SeaWorld Orlando’s shark-themed ‘Mako’, opening June 10, will hit speeds of up to 73mph with the highest point at 200 feet covering nearly a mile of track. It’s a hypercoaster, which means speed, tight turns and a weightless feeling.

At Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, 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, where they will encounter characters from the megahit “Frozen” while hearing music from the movie and voices of the original cast.

At Disney World’s Animal Kingdom, night safaris launched over 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. Few details have been released but riders should expect a maze of horror.

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, has added steel tracks to the wooden frame of the Roar coaster, built in 1999, to create the hybrid experience. The 3,200-foot-long Joker will also include inversions, which the park says is a first for a wooden roller coaster, and will feature 15 moments of what the park is calling “extreme” airtime.

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 synchronised to the coaster.

Ohio

Cedar Point in Sandusky opened ‘Valravn’ in early May. It’s being called the world’s tallest, fastest and longest dive coaster. Riders will hang over the edge of the first hill, 20 stories high, for four seconds before dropping at a 90-degree angle at 75mph.

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 73mph.

Georgia

Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell opened a DC Super Friends kids area over Memorial Day weekend with five family experiences themed on superheroes and villains: a Superman Tower of Power, Batcopters, Wonder Woman Flight School, Harley Quinn Games and The Joker Funhouse Coaster.

TERRANCE HARRIS

Associated Press