The Amusement Industry Is CHANGING

The Amusement Industry is entering a new era, are you ready for the change?
The coaster wars ended and we entered a transitional period. From there, we saw the RMC-issance from 2010 to 2018. After the next transitional period, we've entered the Post-Covid Era, which I'm calling: "The Immersive Era."
Footage captured during Katie and my travels to Various parks during the operating seasons between 2019 to 2023.
Links:
Patreon: patreon.com/user?u=83984523
Instagram: @koastermania
Tiktok: @koastermania
Everything else: linktr.ee/koastermania?...
For inquiries you can reach us at: [e-mail]
If you would like to include any of our footage in your videos, feel free to at least ask, and also make sure to include our channel name visible on-screen while you are using our footage.
Any footage without other channel names or credit is my own captured footage.
Our Equipment:
-2x Sony A7RIV w/ Sony FE G 200-600mm, Sony FE G 24-105MM, Sony FE 28-70mm, Sony FE G 12-24mm, Sony FE GM 70-200mm
-DJI Osmo Pocket
-DJI Osmo Pocket 2
-DJI Osmo Pocket 3
-2x Iphone 13 Pro
-2x DJI Action 2
-DJI Air 3

[@ContentTerminator]

I can’t even believe how expensive Disney and other parks have become. You should really call it the inflation era that’s what’s ruining amusement parks.

[@Onoitsbroko]

Just took my wife and son to Disneyland last Saturday and it was 552 dollars for all of us; just for admission alone 😂.

[@lehudragon9402]

Yep, it's just about every park doing this now.

[@nexpro6118]

Plenty of poeple are still willing to pay to go to Disneyland

[@beerfish109]

Some parks got expensive yeah, others, while also raising their price, are much more affordable. The fixation that some people have for Disney is insane.

[@carsoncoley1]

Busch gardens tampa is the best park in Florida, and it's HALF the cost of disney.

[@thrillnerds8561]

My favorite line is "six flags is not alone in ruining parts of their parks with super hero ips" I feel so strongly about this.

[@Fazcoasters]

As long as we still get big thrillers I'm all for immersive theming

[@HondaTurboToys]

VelociCoaster 🫶🎢

[@wildcatenthusiast8888]

I really want Hershey to add something like Big Bear Mountain. It is my “home away from home” park. When I rode Big Bear Mountain, I loved it so much that I rode it 5 times in a row! Best family coaster I have ridden (layout and thrill wise).

[@mythicgamingmk1105]

Roller coasters are some of the best rides out there and is what a park lives off of pretty much and most parks get more people with a new coaster

[@timhunter1214]

This video is seriously fantastic. So insanely well done and smart dude. You gained a fan today. Keep this content up. So informative and data-driven. Other coaster vloggers need to take note, letting industry trends and actual facts lead your thoughts and not your own self-appointed subject matter expertise is far more valuable.

[@BBROPHOTO]

As a pretty big coaster enthusiast and theme park enthusiast, I just want more THEMING. More experienced based theming where it isn't just a rollercoaster slapped onto some grassland. Not just a tokenism 'themed sign' and train. Universal and Disney have set the standard time after time (especially Disney) but obviously they have huuuuuge budgets to work with. Thing is though, parks don't work within their budgets for theming. You don't need to build a Tower of Terror or VelociCoaster to have good theming. Once you experience a truly well themed park, it's an amaaaazing experience. Being completely surrounded and engulfed in another world is such a cool feeling.

[@VelocicoasterFanboy]

Ready for the change

[@StadiumofLOLMAPS]

Velocicoaster was a perfect example that you don't need to break records to be the best coaster. I feel like newer coasters keep getting better than the last. excited to see where it goes in the future.

[@moredgaming331]

What are you doing here lol, didnt know you were into roller coasters.

[@FP194]

Is that why Velocicoster is shut down

[@sooeeren]

Nice vid, but Mack rides is also building coasters like Hyperia

[@huntzzio]

20:00

[@Spike-sk7ql]

Kings Island did Adventure Port last year. This year is Camp Snoopy, and soapbox racers. This was a really good video. There will still be big rides installed at parks. At least the "bigger" parks like CP KI Magic Mountain etc. They have to keep people coming in.

[@Historybluff1986]

I’d agree with the service based aspect. Holiday world, Dollywood and BGW all interest me not just because of the rides but more because of atmosphere they create.

[@t0d_d]

Nostalgia be kicking in when I hear the RCT3 soundtrack at 11:04

[@Griswold32]

I came here to say this! Lol

[@Griswold32]

I came here to say this! Lol

[@SuperFlashDriver]

By the way, that game will be turning 20 years old this year (released by Frontier, the same people who made Thrillville (Original & Off The Rails), and the Planet series (Planet Coaster and Planet Zoo) in October 2004.

[@Hangtime_Davi64]

Man, the RCT3 music takes me back...

[@ItsDannyRobbins]

Dollywood's progress from 2013 to present is the direct result of a stated 10year plan to spend $300million between the park, waterpark, and the then newly-announced DreamMore Resort. They've since spent that money on all of the new attractions and Wildwood Grove area, and new Heartsong Resort. They've recently made an additional 10year plan that very much repeats much of the successful aspects of this last ten years. They are already the destination park you state they are aiming to become!❤ Also, the Planet Coaster and Animusic 3 tracks were very fun little easter eggs in this video.

[@Svepo38]

In Europe even smaller Parks are investing heavily in theming, which can be really inexpensive done by a loacl craftsman. Landscaping and music. Creating a land rather an attraction. And now the really small parks start to catch up inspired by the hugh success shown by the others.

[@garretthoward5088]

The Animusic in the background haha

[@cloudyvortex]

I appreciate these takes. They seem the most well reasoned I've seen on the subject lately and I've seen a lot of videos.

[@vapoet]

I think RMC will still get plenty of work, since the conversions are relatively inexpensive. It will always be the go to for parks with a old woodie past its prime.

[@ThemeParkTravelTips]

RCT3 Soundtrack! :)

[@mythicgamingmk1105]

Amusement Parks are not going anywhere for a couple thousand years and roller coasters are not going to get outdated anytime soon and this new era for roller coasters and parks is good for them because parks and getting more people in and roller coasters are the main focus for that coasters are the best part about a park and wont get outdated for a long time

[@crooked-halo]

I've been into wooden roller coasters as a hobby since 1981 and I have never seen theme and amusement parks more packed & crowded than they have been post-Covid. Roller coasters have always been king of the park and always will be.

[@travelog3137]

like hearing the RCT3 song is chilling nice choice of music ++

[@TopTrackBrandon]

This was a spectacular, quality video, Micah! Thank you for breaking down the state of the industry and offering such great insights. The coming years will outline the ever changing landscape of the amusement industry and I can’t wait to see it in any form. Can’t wait to see more quality productions like this from you as well. 🎉

[@sedricgranger]

We are seeing a lot of American theme parks trend towards what we have seen in International parks like in Europe. Likewise, some of the parks from around the Globe are starting to build up their thrill rides to a higher degree like at Thorpe Park Great Video!

[@malichim5560]

love the rct3 song in there

[@ernstwhere]

Great video. I think the post pandmic holy grail of increased spending per guest visit led to focus on quality f&b experience and family attractions. Kids = in park spending. Also, the re-imagining of atrractions trend (post RMC) combines legacy appeal / marketing and possibly lower initial investment. 6F broke their post bankruptcy model of cheap passes, high thrills and poor service; hopefullly the CF merger will elevate quality, unique visitis and in park spending. It is an interesting time in the industry, more sophisticated and informed gp / thoosie market and recalibarated thinking about development (glamping at SFGAd, Dollywood's resort hotels, Uni's micro park in TX). Good stuff to come!

[@wrestlingandamusementparkl7789]

For the merger I can see alot of the smaller parks getting sold off. But for chains I can see start putting money into the smaller parks parks as well. Also parks focusing more on Food and drinks then just burger, fries, pizza and Tenders. Also adding stuff like festvilles and different things like that

[@haqqrasheed3115]

RCT3 VIBES

[@thed1rtsoup]

babe wake up Koaster Mania posted

[@Kyle_The_Mighty]

The other problem with constantly trying to build the biggest and fastest is physics. There’s only so much faster and bigger you can go without killing people. I feel like we haven’t quite hit the max yet but we’re getting closer and closer

[@arturobianco848]

Hmmmm ever tried I305 thats pretty much pushing it. I do love that ride.

[@phillinsogood]

Omg the Roller coaster tycoon music in the background made me emotional

[@PWXcptcrunch]

I was just thinking that music sounded familiar

[@andyg4929]

Honestly, I’m simple, I just miss the old Intamin box track that they used for all of their coasters lol.

[@PastTime777]

The Hershey area is losing population and their attendance numbers are dropping. With air travel being a hassle, destination travelers won't come. This could be the same problem for other regional parks. They tried to fix this by updating the water park side to keep the locals coming.

[@johnpatterson4272]

Well played Koaster Mania. There is a lot of food-for-thought here thanks to you. The 'I' beam coaster track is the way of the future, I'm thinking a Haunted Mansion type coaster Ride that has both heavy theming at the beginning with a 300ft. drop at the end. OR perhaps an initial pneumatic 'drop-track' (30ft) prior to a launch into the biggest loop on the planet.

[@condsending89]

Love the rollercoaster tycoon music in the background

[@handledav]

a dying breed

[@52ownsyou]

I’ll take a very well themed attraction over a monsterous souless mega coaster slapped in a flat parking lot.

[@kalzium8857]

I think the classical coaster wars are over. Themeparks in the usa are expected to make profit and new rollercoasters that only airforce pilots can enjoy won't be profitable. As someone from europe my observation is that rollercoasters seem to be getting more and more themed. Some could be even considered darkrides with rollercoaster elements.

[@vapoet]

Agree... In the case of Kings Dominion, the failure of Intimidator 305 to gain customers made companies run from that concept of "most extreme." The current "return ride," the one that brings in the customers is Twisted Timbers, And if they get a heavily themed jungle ride, maybe even a dark ride, in the revamped section, they will be doing well.

[@RobK-ri4rf]

It's really two separate markets, one for people who like wild roller coaster rides and another for people who like more themed experiences. You can't really build more extreme roller coasters at a place like Disneyland because it will scare away visitors who don't want that.

[@vapoet]

@@RobK-ri4rf Disney, like Universal studios, has a brand which calls for constant immersion and theming. But that doesn't mean other parks can't have both theming and extreme in the same park, Busch Gardens Williamsburg has both highly themed rides and extreme rides. It's simply a willingness to do it.

[@GrottiCrimeFamilyHD]

I see you with RCT3 lobby/in game music! Such a classic

[@katmurray2180]

We love theme parks. I especially loved kings island and Dollywood's drone shows. Dollywood has the benefit of so many songs to choose from. I really enjoyed the original songs from Kings Island. I'd like to add to Kings island's phantom theater show was absolutely perfect campy nostalgia. Kings Dominions new festivals and shows were great this year. I love original characters and this is really a great turn in the industry if it keeps up. Most excited this year for Universal's celestial park. I think Dollywood is already there. It's a great vacation in itself. My family spends a day eating/shopping, a day at the shows, and a day for the rides. Pigeon Forge area and Gatlinburg are popular vacations for the southeast already. I think with more accommodations and if Dollywood adds a pet friendly or RV accommodations people might spend their whole time at Dollywood and on Dollywood property.

[@jefflong1799]

The only mention I would have added is CP's Boardwalk area... Nicely done.

[@mirkozanda]

Yeah definitely don't need to go any higher on a coaster (especially when it's a straight track with a top hat only), but more "designed" experiences with theming, effects and storytelling are going to catch my attention. Multi-dimensional coasters offer a very interesting way of mixing thrill and story beats, I am looking forward to seeing more and more of them in Europe. The Uncharted ride in Portaventura (Spain) is great, definitely can improve in theming, but the way it can spin, drop, stop, move sideways etc makes for a beautiful experience

[@52ownsyou]

I hate that my grandchildren are going to fall in that “once in a lifetime” category when it comes to visiting WDW. Even locals have been priced out and turned off by their changes in crowd management.

[@weekendintokyo]

BRO did i just hear the RCT3 Summer Air Theme, nostalgia just hit hard man

[@KoasterMania]

You sure did!

[@WhitehartMTG]

Excellent quality video

[@44bthknuckles]

not just coaster flat rides and drop towers share the same fate

[@TheTyates72392]

not the Animusic music playing in the background lololol

[@kazeryu17]

I don't know if this counts for all SeaWorld parks, but the biggest changes I noticed at Busch Gardens Williamsburg recantly, is that they put a lot of emphasis on food themed festivals, bars, and nostalgia. They have even used nostalgia as a theme for some of their newer rides and attractions. Personally, i think its working in their favor because the prices they charge for drinks and festival foods are pretty high, yet people line up. The existence of these festivals increases attendance and the extra lines increase capacity. I have had to park in egypt"cough" I mean the scotland/Bavaria parking lots way too many times last season. They should use some of that profit to build a f**king parking deck.

[@crazy4wavescoasters741]

Disney parks are packed as always, and will continue to be.

[@roryblake7311]

That is why the smaller chains have a chance to grab market share. Shorter lines and cheaper!

[@spentron1]

VR would be better on family coasters ;) -- my one experience was SRoS in the back and it froze, awful. Anyway I saw the family coaster thing coming, just didn't know what the opening would be, they couldn't rely on the old clunkers for the "mild" rides forever.

[@davidfrischknecht8261]

On a non-coaster-related note, I was pleasantly surprised to hear an Animusic song in this video. Also, I couldn't care less about theming. I just want a fun ride. My favorite amusement park, Knoebels Amusement Resort, has hardly any theming.

[@MrG024]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. Taking the European park approach however would have been added value

[@zacharystewart5344]

I've been a coaster enthusiast since the early 2000s. Ya coasters were amazing but man most parks in this country operations wise left a lot to be desired and in the new immersive era that's one of the best things to come from it, better operations. The only one to misread this so far is Disney. They went off the end building 500 million dollar rides everywhere and that's forced heavy ticket price increases and less satisfaction as a result of that and to their associated inconveniences like only being able to ride Guardians once per day without LL.

[@vladimirmosimann3807]

I agree about roller coasters which is a world trend however not into theming amusement parks which is proper to the US as it's already the case in Europe. We don't really have "parking coasters" except maybe Energylandia considering how quick it has grown. Also theme parks in Europe are still something expensive but affordable (except Disneyland Paris) compare to the US even if prices go up because of investments and inflation but it remains okay.

[@overbanked]

I agree, the Thunder Striker name is horrible

[@vitamoravek]

As european enthusiast all I can say is "US is going europe way"

[@pendremacherald6758]

I do have some issues with Herschend. Mostly because they have scaled down things at Kentucky Kingdom. All they have provided so far is Cinnamon Bread and one or two new events. No new rides, in fact, rides have only been taken out or left abandoned. Some of the shops and food locations have closed. Kentucky Kingdom does have the water park, but convenience can only get you so far when competing against Kings Island and Holiday World.

[@huntzzio]

Pretty sure Disney aint goin nowhere lol. Their branding and legend status really helps. Most anyone who I talk to would say Disney>Universal in a heartbeat.

[@olympicbuilder-JHKimaginnering]

Seeing the blue sky thing from Disney there is no single coaster only dark ride…. Disney parks need more coaster like Epcot and Magickingdom. 1 coaster added but people love it 😀. Avengers campus need a coaster (not the one at Paris) and also main Disneyland park. Adding a coaster or a big ride and keep the same price or lower the ticket price by 10% it would attracting more people that adding small rides or events and raise the price up…. People paying a lot of money just for “magical family experience”…. 😂 so yep Disneyland + California Adventure actually needs a launch coaster or inverted because Disney never do so….

[@JCBro-yg8vd]

I think what we're really seeing is that most non-Disney and non-Universal parks are scaling back on big ticket investments, trying to cut costs. Six Flags did this for most of the 2010's, hence why they were so big on RMCs and S&S Free Spins. And I think that business model is going to be applied to Cedar Fair parks. But I also think the merger means some of the lesser parks will be sold off or closed down, there's just too many parks in the chain for the company to give each the time of day they need.

[@idkhomie24]

i feel its a bit odd to mention mack during the segment about 2023 coasters being all family rides when they have two of the highest thrill/potentially best in their country coasters being built this year.

[@roryblake7311]

My pre-teens love Carowinds and Dollywood better than Disney... Why No long lines!

[@zachcarter9716]

I agree that theming is becoming the new money maker, but most of the giant coasters like gigas or launch coasters that were built in the past few decades have ok theming that doesn't drive a story behind them. For example, a ton of people in the US and even outside of it know what Expedition Everest, Tower of terror, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain are just by the name because of how iconic the theming is. Triple A rides like Millenium force, SteVe, Kingda Ka, Phantoms revenge, El toro, fury 325, I305, maverick and the list goes on and on but maybe 10 percent of these super tall, insanely forceful and fast rides have good theming and not a lot of people will even recognize these coasters by their name apart from enthusiasts. These triple A budget coasters blow any of the other greatly themed rides out of the water in terms of thrill but for many they don't in experience. If parks could focus on trying to retheme or even keep the same theme but spend money on areas and effects around these rides instead of building another family coaster maybe this could be another way to solve these parks attendance problems. Because building a monstrosity of a coaster can only bring in crowds for a few years until everyone knows how the ride goes but having theming that can capture people's hearts or even make them feel like they're a badass because their riding a certain coaster will make people want to ride it endlessly even for rides that many years old......

[@zachcarter9716]

are*

[@Mcfishmeister]

Adventure Port was last year…

[@timk987]

It only makes sense that the smaller and slower the ride, the more it needs a theme to distract the riders from what would otherwise be a boring ride. I think L A Thompsons realized this with the Switchback Railway and It didn't take long for him to add scenery and change the name to the Scenic Railway. As for the big coasters, they'll still build them, but with Guiness Worlds Records basically selling out, the world's records parks boast are purely marketing. The trend now with Cedar Fair is to have a backstory more so than an actual theme. I might be in the minority, but I'd rather see the money going toward bigger, faster, and more innovative elements. Sure, let the kids have there themed rides and lands, (and don't get me wrong, I love a good dark ride) but those distractions aren't necessary on a quality extreme thrill coaster.

[@MyLifeAsBrandon]

“S&S, things changed a lot…” Yeah the fact they couldn’t build a reliable coaster then and still can’t build one now 💀

[@Talented4]

great video but AINT NO WAY BRO SAID RENAME FURY 325 TO GOLIATH IT'S WAY ICONIC

[@KoasterMania]

We could always try a name like Superman!

[@crooked-halo]

"Just give us a themed experience, that's what we all really want, right?" 21:24. That's not what I want. As a _coaster hobbyist_ I'm interested in _what the roller coaster feels like._ Theming is silly & often makes little sense. Specifically, I'm a wood coaster hobbyist & thankfully they suffer less theming than steel. I'm also passionate about traditional amusement parks like Knoebels & Kennywood. Corporate theme parks and their crowds are things I battle to get to the wooden roller coaster(s). I'm not too concerned over the amusement industry. It's peaceful there. The coaster war was well underway when Magnum XL200 was built. The Beast was a _major_ instigator, as was American Eagle. Arrow's multi loopers, Shock Wave TX, and yes, Magnum XL200 were all major players. Fantastic video production, though I disagree with some premises.

[@stevenray5702]

I am just sad cause I am one of those that want to see over 500 foot drop beyond straight with about 15 inversions

[@shadow.arceus]

RCT3 and Animusic soundtracks go brrr

[@arturobianco848]

Being from europe we have mostly more "family" owned Quarky themeparks they are so much better experience wise then big coasterwise. As a Coaster enthousiast i really do like those parks to but Being in a nice atmosheric park with 2 decent coasters and some filler and family coasters is overall a nicer experience. Not having done a lot of parks in the states only about 20 or so i can say i did like Knotts best. Did bush gardens williamsburg very late in the seizone if i did do that one earlier i might have liked it better then knotts.

[@timk987]

How much is entry to the little European parks? can you spend a whole day there? I know they probably don't have the long hours of the regional US parks, but is there a value to what you pay vs. what you get?

[@arturobianco848]

@@timk987 the bigger parks you can easily stay a day. Prices very pretty much depends on when you come sometimes but the cheapest come around 40 dollar per day the most expensive around 80 dollar. Parking is sometimes free byt ussualy around 10 dollar per day. It is worth it do some research to look up unuale passes some have good discounts or even free entre in some other parks. We also have several chains like merlin who have annual passes per country. The smaller parks are ussualy relative expensive between 30 to 40 dollar.

[@MrJasonshores364]

If it didn't cost so much now, i would gladly go to amusement parks, but now it's just too expensive, having to deal with horrid people with zero manners, and dealing with the shit employees who act like their job is an inconvenience.

[@hundoe100]

In what world would using already used six flags names be iconic and unique?

[@KoasterMania]

✈️🙄 (For legal reasons, that statement in the video was a joke)

[@superd4611]

Cedar Fair did a great job at filming their new installations for a while but they are a failing company. Their attendance is decreasing, and they are only keeping their bottom lineup by cost cutting. Which will further decrease attendance. It appears now they have decided that Thrillseekers and little kids are their only target markets as they are cutting back on live entertainment, and removing rides that non-Thrillseekers could enjoy like the boat ride at Cedar point. Additionally, they are not installing rides that all people can ride Like Disney does Their parks sit vacant half the year because they depend on school-age children too much for their business. It is a bad business model that is going to fail. Herschend, on the other hand, appeals to all demographics, because of their large lineup of live entertainment, mixed with the rides Dollywood continues to grow and increase their schedule so much that they are almost operating daily this year from March until the end of December. The Cedar fair Six Flags merger is just one last desperate attempt at two failing companies to cut cost further. The trashy Six Flags parks are going to bring Cedar Fair down into the same gutter. SEAS is also going the same route of only adding roller coasters and appealing till thrill seekers. We saw how well that worked back in the 90s with Six Flags bankruptcy. Some of their parks like Busch Gardens. Williamsburg still features enough live entertainment, and slow moving rides for everyone to do. But this company is guilty of cost-cutting, like Cedar, fair and taking away from the guest experience, which is going to further drive down attendance.

[@rustyshacklefordrefined5756]

Their parks are only open half the year because of the weather, and they have to go after a demographic which is why the build thrill rides.

[@dreams2reality410]

We are in the era of "family coasters." Sucks

[@Kyle_The_Mighty]

There’s room for both and honestly more family coasters is a good thing. Kids have to start somewhere

[@billybob33366]

Themes are fads and most roller coasters age with affection from the general public. I think true coaster fans want bigger, taller, faster... year over year. The reason we see family coasters I think is directly related to the 2020 'pandemic'. We will see a return to the coaster wars once confidence in the economy shows itself!

[@crooked-halo]

"Themes are fads..." Yes indeed! Theming strikes me as odd & silly. As a wood coaster hobbyist (who _does_ enjoy steel) a coaster _must_ stand upon what the ride feels like. I never picture ancient sailing ships while being wonderfully abused in the dark of night by Voyage. "The Shed" at the end of the _excellent_ Mystic Timers is cringe & robs me of getting back in line faster. I don't want "bigger, taller, faster" though. I learned long ago that more size, speed & technology often means problems and usually doesn't make a coaster better. The top-rated wood coasters are mostly moderate in size (Phoenix, Boulder Dash, Thunderhead, etc).

[@billybob33366]

@@crooked-halo that's why I'm convinced these theme park operators are truly out of touch! Cedar Point is still the best roller coaster park on earth.

[@crooked-halo]

@@billybob33366 Cedar Point has one wood coaster, Blue Streak. A good, fun family woodie that used to be better. Knoebels, Holiday World, Kennywood, and Blackpool are my favorite coaster parks because my passion is wood coasters. Cedar Point's next coaster should be a mid-sized wood coaster along the lines of their famous, defunct Cyclone. I totally see how you & so many others think Cedar Point is the best, but not for me.

[@martinneuss1000]

Just go visit European parks which are normally more immersive and much cheaper than their American counterparts. E.g. Phantasialand, Europapark, Efteling etc.

[@SuperFlashDriver]

Ehh, I'm one of those people whom doesn't like to wear VR headsets while riding roller coasters considering I like to see the scenery go by as I'm riding the coaster. I feel like the surroundings should be the theme of the ride, not really wearing a headset just for a cheap shitty version of some interactive themed ride like Spider-Man at Universal's Islands of Adventure.

[@KoasterMania]

I actually made a point at the end of the video that I too am very glad that VR didn’t succeed!

[@SuperFlashDriver]

@@KoasterMania Ahh okay, the comment you said here made sense to me than the one you mentioned which is "Panned Out" (as I thought that they continued with the VR headsets even if they weren't popular). But thank goodness that theme parks have loooonng abandoned or discontinued the VR headsets for the ride. I personally, when they came out, didn't understand why they had to do that, considering they repainted Revolution and changed the name to it just for some VR headset but it was the same ride regardless. I do think however if they painted the track red white and blue stripes across the track for it's 40th, 50th anniversary of the coaster's opening since 1976, then that would make more sense since the whole point of Revolution was a coaster made around the time America's 200th birthday was being celebrated and such, as well as being one of the first few coasters to introduce the tall loop near the front part of Magic Mountain. Sorry if I got confused at that point but for me, seeing it occur in 2014, it made me not want to ride any attraction that had the VR headset on (I personally would rather wear strapped video sunglasses on my face than some VR headset that's bulky, uncomfortable, and heavy on the person's face as well).

[@KoasterMania]

@@SuperFlashDriver oh trust me, I can totally agree with you on that. I myself was kinda grossed out by it at the time. Especially seeing how sweaty some people were after taking them off

[@SuperFlashDriver]

@@KoasterMania Oh that too. Again, thankfully they didn't continue for long.

[@DrLadutke]

Immersive theming isn’t new-it’s what Disney has been all about since it started building parks in 1955. None of the Disney coasters have ever been very extreme. It's for KIDS! Themes also get boring. You get an adrenaline rush every time you ride a great coaster. But what about the theming of the (wild mouse) Dark Knight Coaster at Great Adventure? NOBODY watches the intro movie anymore. It’s dated (2008 movie) and you’ve probably watched it before. BORING-just let us get on the coaster. El Toro’s theming is just horns on the front car and a southwestern station-not very immersive. Yet people wait in line to ride it. If you want a new era, the Era of Consolidation would be more appropriate.

[@aapee565]

The reason why the coaster wars is more recognised as an era is because it was quite global, while the other eras you list are USA specific. In fact I would argue that the coaster wars started in Japan and Magnum was when it spread to the US. (After Cedar Fair leadership came back from a Japan trip...) For example, in Europe the new "Immersive era" started long before, instead of being a new thing. The current development around here to me seems to be "the same as before but better and bigger" rather than a new era. If I think to the roots of this "immersive but still quite thrilling" philosophy, I think that the success of thrilling coasters in more themed parks, like the Python at Efteling may have been the kickstarter. The opening of Disneyland Paris forcing the old Disney at home parks like Europa Park and Phantasialand to innovate also played a huge role. So the roots are in the 80s and 90s, with the payoffs coming in the 2000s and 2010s. Admittedly, it came at first in the way of "thrillcoaster in a well themed land", rather than a "well themed thillcoaster", but I think that was more due to the limitations of budget and technology, rather than the idea being different. I see the current trends as the trend spreading over the Atlantic, or maybe people at Universal just had the same idea and started a similar development independently. I would also like to comment on your point about the next era not being great for enthusiasts. This is wrong. The next era might not be the best for a thrills enthusiast, but it will be absolutely phenomenal for a parks enthusiast. I count both of these as kind of thoosie.

[@steveburkhart3068]

Idgaf about theming. I miss the amusement era where Intamin was maiming people, and taller faster longer was the name of the game.

[@slumpdogyt]

Sadly thrill seekers dont make the parks as much money as families.

[@stephenshayler-appleton7650]

Probably because the whole planet is running out of resources (Steel, Iron, Alum, Timber, cement, oil)

[@DBI2000]

ewww... no to renaming fury325. it's a unique name for a unique ride (not many others out there like it).

[@huntzzio]

great video!! comment for engagement, i have nothing to say

[@Manu-gf3yl]

Maxk rides: "They always specialize on family coasters" DC Rival, Ride to Happiness and now Hyperion & Voltron..... Your statement isnt accurate. And therefore: you globalize too many aspects of each point you mentioned, which makes this video very questionable. The real problem is, that amusement parks increase their prizes. Disney and universal is, as you said not effortable for most ppl and a one time thing But the average person will always go to the cheaper and maybe not so well themed parks like cedar fair and six flags. But with both, Bushgardens Williamsbourg and Tampa, Sea World and Dollywood, guest have good alternatives with them. And about future coaster trends: i point to voltron, macks new stryker coaster as well as Time Traveller or Ride to Happyness, those are gonna be the next trend on the amusement park market.

[@doninwv]

Sad

[@michaelhutter2160]

Disney dying due to costs u overall fraction of the cost of Disney and they are flurishing.

[@ashleysmith8755]

i disagree with this change i love longer, faster coasters my favorite is B&M hypers like fury, goliath and so on. yes its getting more pricey go go to parks so one person cant return to park but to go just once there ideas will fell why because greed parks dont fell because of park goers it fells from within and this change or era is not going to change that or anything. the only reason there making coasters smaller more ''family'' driven its all about money the smaller the coaster the more on and off of riders more faster load and unload times shorter run times more riders more money in faster or shorter time frame so my opinion bad idea. we need taller longer and faster coasters thats what people want thrive for. yes some shorter coasters are fun but i love the longer hypers/ B&M coasters.

[@thegatewaytoprestige]

Mmm I have to say this feels like a manufactured opinion because you’re ignoring that Intamin was ABSOLUTELY doing crazy before 2018. They made MAVERICK and were already into their maniacal era. You just skipped over that conveniently.

[@arturobianco848]

Actualy Maverick is a good example for his point yes its an extreme coaster but its not the talles fastest one around.

[@bigc1280]

SeaWorld is not focused on an immersive experience, Then, what the Hell is Penguin Trek?

[@pancakerabber]

i need more big hypers!!!!1!1!1