Ah, theme parks. There are few holiday destinations that offer such a versatile and exciting experience. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, an adrenalin junkie, or a candy lover: theme parks have it all. How could they get any better? Well, here are 10 future theme parks that will blow your mind!
1. Avatar Land—Orlando, Florida, USA
First announced in 2011 by Walt Disney CEO Robert Iger, Avatar Land aims to bring James Cameron’s epic movie and the planet of Pandora to life. Situated in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Avatar Land is scheduled to open sometime during 2017 and is already touted as having the most lifelike animatronics ever made. This incredible world is Cameron’s second theme-park endeavor following T2 3-D: Battle Across Time, which he designed with Gary Goddard for Universal Studios.
2. Atlantis—Sanya, China
Currently under construction on the beautiful Chinese island of Hainan, the third Atlantis theme park is set to open in 2016. The southern island is often compared to Hawaii or Dubai and will undoubtedly offer an unforgettable experience once the park is open.
3. Paramount Park—Kent, U.K.
Throughout the last decade there have been many Paramount Parks announced around the world. China, Korea, Dubai, Spain, and Japan have all awaited their own theme parks, but none of them have ever been built. Finally, Paramount has decided on a prime location and is building its park in Kent, England. Although information on Paramount Park London has so far been vague, it’s thought to open in Easter 2020 and will feature rides based on Paramount properties such as Star Trek and Mission: Impossible.
4. 20th Century Fox World—Gentsing, Malaysia
Finally, 20th Century Fox is building its very own theme park! Sure, it has a small studio park in Sydney, but that’s said to be nothing compared to this mountaintop resort in Gentsing’s highlands. Although it’s not scheduled to open until 2016, there are already some guesses as to what the rides will be based on, including Ice Age, Alien Vs Predator, Night at the Museum, and Planet of the Apes.
5. Dubai Parks & Resorts—Jebel Ali, UAE
Without a doubt, one of the most fun destinations in the coming years is going to be Dubai. Dubai Park & Resorts actually features three separate theme parks: the seventh Legoland, a Bollywood-themed world, and Motiongate Dubai which will include an area entirely devoted to Dreamworks. These parks where originally intended to be part of Dubai’s hugely ambitious Dubailand development, which currently includes 22 attractions all of which are under construction. Instead they have narrowed the number of parks down to three and created a hub which they aim to make alcohol-free and family-friendly.
6. Disneyland—Shanghai, China
Almost every decade since the original Disneyland opened in Anaheim in 1955, Disney has opened a brand new theme park. This decade’s will be Disneyland Shanghai, and with a combination of classic Disney magic and a little bit of Chinese flair it hopes to be the most extraordinary yet. The best part is it’s scheduled to open as soon as December 2015!
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7. IMG Worlds of Adventure—Dubai, UAE
What makes this park different from all the others so far? It’s the largest indoor theme park ever! IMG Worlds Of Adventure is actually part of Dubailand’s Attractions & Experience World, and the finished site will include four separate zones including a Cartoon Network area and a Marvel comics zone.
8. Universal Studios—Moscow, Russia
Another indoor theme park, Universal Studios Moscow was announced back in 2012 and is slated to open in 2018. What’s so exciting about this park is that despite how enormous Russia is, it doesn’t have anything close to a large, modern theme park. Fortunately, Universal is the first of many companies attempting to build in Russia, with others including Dreamworks, which is hoping to develop three parks in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg.
9. Universal Studios—Beijing, China
Not only is China getting a new Disneyland Resort, it’s also getting its own Universal Studios! Thought to open in 2019, this park already has high expectations with a $3.3 billion price tag and 1,000 acres, as well as design influenced by Steven Spielberg himself.
10. Wanda Group—China
With both Disney and Universal Studios opening parks up around China, it’s no surprise that the country’s own leisure giant, Wanda, is beginning to develop competition. Wanda is already building complexes all over China, last year announcing a $5.9 billion park in Wuxi, west of Shanghai, where the newest Disney park is opening. Sounds like some serious theme-park competition is brewing!
Featured photo credit: Holtsman via flickr.com
