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Are Theme Parks Entering a New Golden Age?

Last Ride of the Night

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Let’s face it, aside from Universal the last few years of theme parks have been relatively negative when compared to previous eras. However, sometime in the middle of last year with the opening of Epic Universe, something in the entire market shifted and it has led me to becoming more optimistic about the future as a whole. From Disney’s hiring of D’Amaro, to Universal’s continued growth, and even to Six Flags, I have a real feeling that we could be entering a new golden age of theme parks, and that’s a feeling that I couldn’t be happier to have. Today, we take a look at the industry as a whole (mostly in the US) and look to the future to see what changes and announcements have been made, and how likely they are to contribute to a wonderful future. I hope you enjoy!

Media Sources:
-Disney Horizons : D23 Disney Parks Experie...
-Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin - 2026 PO...
-NEW Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The M...
-Dinosaur FINAL RIDE - 2026 POV - Disney's ...
-Stardust Racers Roller Coaster POV at Univ...
-Universal Orlando | EPIC Universe Celestia...
-FULL PRE-SHOW: Monsters Unchained – The Fr...
-[4K] Hiccup's Wing Gliders Front & Backs...
-[4K] Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journe...
-TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D - 4K Lowlight Fr...
-Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adven...
-How to Train your Dragon Isle of Berk POV ...
-Smuggler's Run - NEW Mandalorian & Grogu +...
-Soarin’ Across America - Full POV at Epcot
-Soarin' At Epcot IMAX Flight Ride (4K POV)
-Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance • POV
-"it's a small world" 2023 [FULL RIDE] | Di...
-Expedition Everest - Front Row POV - Disne...
-Neil Patrick Harris Opens Horizons: A Caro...
-Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress [Full S...
-Between the Earth and the Moon... a new ad...
-Dreamfinder Return, Updated Imagination Pa...
-Disneyland (1968)

All Music Licensed from Epidemic Sound: https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/f...

Follow me on twitter :) https://x.com/LastRideOfNight

Chapters:
00:00 (Prologue)
01:45 (Pre-2025 Circumstances)
03:53 (Universal’s Rise to Epic Universe)
08:43 (Disney’s Amazing 2026)
12:12 (Disney’s Redemption)
20:31 (An Optimistic Future)

#themeparks #disneyparks #disneyland #universalstudios

20 Comments

@turnleftman 2 weeks ago

I really think that the new administration realizes that the parks are an IP in themselves

@carminecdinoproductions 2 weeks ago

Disney’s Animal Kingdom should’ve expanded outward with new lands and rides, while still keeping Dinoland USA intact with new dinosaur-themed attractions!

@Matt_mill3r 2 weeks ago (edited)

“This [D23] conference really instilled a confidence in the parks that I haven’t felt since the opening of Pandora back in 2017.”

100% agreed! Following the construction of Pandora 10+ years ago is really what started my super fandom for the parks. For the first time since New Fantasyland and Pandora, I feel like the current slate of projects are so exciting. And the rethemes/upgrades from the last few years — Space Ranger Spin, Rock n Rollercoaster, Soarin, etc. have all been winners in my book.

It feels like the Imagineers were told they were able to “have fun again” rather than “Promote the hottest IP with the smallest budget.”

Great video!

@Zero2review 7 days ago (edited)

I cant remember where I heard this, but internally D'Amaro was wanted by cast and crew members the most. I remember hearing a story that D'Amaro was known for roaming around at night talking with maintenance crews and checking in. Not in a over bearing "Crap the boss is here", more "Hey boss, hows the night going" sorta deal. Knew peoples names, remembered their rolls, cared about his people, cared about the parks, cared about Disney. Which sounds like the bare minim, but when your working crazy houses with thousands of people its impressive.

@Cheezbat 2 weeks ago

I enjoyed your video! I have to agree with you… This is the first time I felt some optimism in many years when it comes to Disney. You know some people were annoyed with this year‘s D 23 wanting more new announcements… But it really does look like what we’re getting as quality… And fixes the things that have been broken and needed to be replaced or repaired. I think Josh gets that.

@CoasterExpedition 2 weeks ago

This is such an underrated channel! I agreed with so much in this and can’t believe you don’t have more subscribers, keep up the amazing work!

@waynesimpson4081 2 weeks ago (edited)

US demographics don't look great. Teen population has already peaked and unlikely to rebound for decades if ever. US population has plateaued which is why growth is in international parks. The erosion of the middle class has resulted in catering to higher income clients. Amusement parks were always a byproduct of post war boom car culture. That has now ended.

@Teggclub12 12 days ago

I’ll manifest this until they hopefully make this. They should bring the old Cinderella mystery tour walkthrough to villains land from Tokyo, It will be great to add capacity and more villains

@georgewdw 12 days ago

Don’t take this the wrong way, but I love your content model, it reminds me of Poseidon, and I’m excited to have stumbled on your channel since I can’t stand that guys channel anymore. You take the best from his format and do it better without all the BS he brings. Love it!

@BushBeanAtSixty4 5 days ago

Disney needs to bring the Dragon back to Fantasmic

@louisehondel2761 2 weeks ago

So glad they are not changing space mountain here to like they will in paris. Wdw's space looks amazing and I love it all.

@emeraldracer7919 2 weeks ago

Another great vid!

@Rickyfingers 2 weeks ago

I was feeling so optimistic about Tom taking over that I returned to Disneyland and DCA just this Wednesday after a decade of boycotting the parks. It's nice to have faith in the company once again.

@timedrone12 2 weeks ago

Skeptable??? Love the video...

@Meatwadbob 10 days ago

19:24 I’m telling you, the Avatar DCA expansion is coming to DAK and a different expansion is coming to DCA. Disney hasn’t said anything about its phase II expansion in DAK and I think this along with another ride in Asia (maybe another safari!) would be the best win. DAK is probably Disneys most beautiful park but it needs more things to do, not more lands which will just turn it into IP slop.

@prettycyber8332 2 weeks ago

hey there, Disneyland is my home Park. I wouldn’t get too excited about tomorrowland.. let’s see what that entails

@carminecdinoproductions 2 weeks ago

There should’ve been plenty of new US theme parks in the 2000’s and 2010’s and beyond…

@bobalinx8762 6 days ago

1:10 I’m not sure about critically, there was a time where it was very low ranked.

@whats_holden_up 2 weeks ago

Theme parks are entering a golden age due to competition and inflation. Since they can't afford to lower the prices, they have to make sure the product is as good as possible. Truthfully I would rather spend alot on a good park experience then spend little on a bad park experience so sign me up for theme parks improving