What’s your favorite part of a theme park? Most people travel to amusement parks for the thrills and chills associated with jaw dropping, stomach turning roller coasters that twist and turn in dozens of spine tingling directions.
Apparently, monster thrill rides are now passe. According to theme park experts, the latest and greatest additions to amusement parks are interactive attractions. In an effort to win over video game enthusiasts, who are addicted to Wii and the like, theme parks have added new interactive rides and games for summer 2010.
The following is a sample of what you will find when you visit some of the nation’s most popular theme parks this summer:
Kings Island
The popular kiddie park in Mason, Ohio, is debuting a new interactive ride this summer that allows guests to step into the role of ghostbuster. “Boo Blasters on Boo Hill” rolls through various dungeons and graveyards. Riders are confronted by groups of ghosts and demons, but instead of cowering in their seats, passengers can fight back courtesy of their car-mounted lasers. To make the ride even more life-like, riders can don optional 3-D glasses to enhance the effects. In addition, computerized scoreboards track guests’ boo-blasting ability.
Silver Dollar City
The mega-popular 1880s-style theme park located in Branson, Missouri, is celebrating
its 50th anniversary this year by adding a new, $7 million ride called “Tom & Huck’s RiverBlast.” The interactive attraction honors Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn and water fighting guests of all ages. The ride consists of an eight-person raft, which glides down a 570-foot river channel. During the ride guests do battle with passengers on other rafts, shore-based super soakers and strategically placed targets that occasionally shoot back.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Busch Gardens Williamsburg is making it easy for you to cross the pond without going broke. The legendary theme park is opening a new “Europe in the Air” attraction. The ride combines a 59-seat motion simulator and large high-definition screen, which allows guests to virtually swoop over famous European landmarks, including Stonehenge, Neuschwanstein Castle and the Colosseum.
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