The theme park industry's largest annual industry convention begins this week in Orlando. That's right — It's IAAPA week once again.
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions' IAAPA Expo show floor opens Tuesday morning, welcoming tens of thousands of theme and amusement park managers, designers, vendors, and buyers to the Orange County Convention Center. Exhibitors have filled Tuesday's schedule with press conferences to announce and provide fresh detail on many new attractions coming to parks next year.
I am in Orlando for the expo, and here is a look at some of the coverage that I will be bring you this week on ThemeParkInsider.com and our social media channels.
Knott's Berry Farm and vendor Triotech will be providing more detail about the Knott’s Bear-y Tales: Return to the Fair 4D interactive dark ride that will open in the soon to be former Voyage to the Iron Reef space for the farm's 100th anniversary.
Legoland and vendor ETF Ride Systems will announce an innovative new dark ride coming to Legoland New York when it debuts next summer.
SeaWorld will announced the name for its Bolliger & Mabillard dive coaster coming to SeaWorld San Diego next year, as well as reveal the train cars for its upcoming new roller coasters at other parks.
Carnival Cruise Line and Maurer Rides will unveil the car for the first roller coaster at sea.
And the Themed Entertainment Association will announce the winners of the annual Thea Awards, to be presented next spring at the Disneyland Resort.
On Wednesday, we will be back at IAAPA for Bob Rogers' annual "Legends" panel, which this year will welcome the creative leaders behind Disney's Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge lands to talk about lessons learned from the creation and debut of Disney's most ambitious theme park land yet.
Let me know what you'd like to see and any questions you'd like answered, and I will do my best to include that in our coverage. And if you are in Orlando for the show, don't hesitate to stop me on the show floor to say hello. (Though you might have to walk briskly with me on the way to the next press conference if you see me on Tuesday!)
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It looks like Leslie Iwerks has used some IAAPA panel discussions in the Imagineering Story series on Disney+. It's interesting to see these woven into the fabric of the narrative as key figures look back on some of the most iconic projects in the industry. I would hope that the Galaxy's Edge panel is allowed to be as honest and forthcoming with details as their predecessors, because the story of the Star Wars land is one that needs to be told and become a case study for future theme park developers.
Hi Robert,
My husband is a senior project designer with BDR Design Group... How about visiting their booth and checking in on any news regarding the Lost Island Theme Park in Waterloo? Thanks! I told him to be on the lookout for you this week! :)
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If you speak someone from Lego land could you ask what is replacing their Star Wars exhibitions?
Do you know if the "Legends" panel will be available to view on Youtube or Twitch? I really need a good laugh. ;-) But serious I love to see it.