Italy's Gardaland is teasing its new attraction for 2024. The park has not announced what type of ride or show its new attraction will be, save to say that it will be "inspired by the legends of the Native Americans."
The park has installed a purple fence next to its Shaman roller coaster with a message promising a summer 2024 debut for whatever the attraction might be.
"The story of the Native Americans is known by everyone and, for this reason, the new attraction will involve – in a different way – guest of different generations," Gardaland Resort CEO Sabrina de Carvalho said. "This will be a major attraction, with a very strong theme inspired by the legends of the Native Americans, who have always been the protagonists of true stories as well as cinematographic and literary works which illustrate qualities such as courage and physical prowess, as well as altruism and a strong connection with nature and famous rituals performed for a wide variety of purposes, from the Sun Dance to that of purification."
The gold standard for theme park attractions featuring indigenous people in North America long has been Knott's Berry Farm's now-defunct Mystery Lodge. BRC Imagination Arts created the Pepper's Ghost "Holavision" theater show in 1994, following a similar production, called Spirit Lodge, that Bob Rogers created in consultation with the 'Namagis First Nation for Vancouver's 1986 world's fair.
With Mystery Lodge closed due to ongoing technical issues (parts for unique projection systems built in the 1990s tend to be hard to come by), I would love to see another park deliver an attraction that honors Native American storytelling. But that attraction would need to be developed in cooperation with Native and First Nations artists, no matter where in the world it is located. So I will eagerly await more detail from Gardaland and Merlin Magic Making about what they have planned for next summer.
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Given the current climate, I would not touch "Native American" theming with a 10-foot pole. Even with cooperation from registered tribes, entities that use Native American theming (heck, even using the term "Native American" is considered inappropriate now, hence Robert's use of "Indigenous American") are often criticized just for using that imagery and/or names (Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Blackhawks, Florida State Seminoles are the largest remaining standouts left). Also, just because one Native/First Nation group signs off on the use of Native/Indigenous American imagery doesn't mean all groups are fine with it.
It's probably not a big deal for most theme park goers in Italy, but I find this choice curious from an international company like Merlin. Would they be willing to open this attraction at a Legoland in the US? If not, it's probably not appropriate in Italy.
Whatever this is won't be enough to get me back there, that place is a dump.
Speaking of intriguing themes, the news about Gardaland teasing an Indigenous American theme for a 2024 addition is certainly exciting. Theme parks have a unique way of bringing stories to life, and when done thoughtfuI have read this interesting article on the extensive use of popular movies in the online slots industry [https://runpee.com/the-extensive-use-of-popular-movies-in-the-online-slots-industry/](https://runpee.com/the-extensive-use-of-popular-movies-in-the-online-slots-industry/). It's incredible to see how entertainment industries continually find innovative ways to intersect.
Personally as an Indian myself (Metis), I find this kinda funny more than anything. Language aside (most of us prefer refer to ourselves as Indians, thank you very much), if a park in Italy wants to make a drop tower themed around vague Indian legends, I'm all for it. As long as it's a good ride haha.
@TwoBits - Canada has probably the best nomenclature with "First Nations", and Aboriginal is a pretty inoffensive term for indigenous Australians.
With the internet giving loud but small minorities a platform, I think no matter what name you choose someone will always want to be offended. Can’t please anyone these days
With the internet giving loud but small minorities a platform, I think no matter what name you choose someone will always want to be offended. Can’t please anyone these days
With the internet giving loud but small minorities a platform, I think no matter what name you choose someone will always want to be offended. Can’t please anyone these days
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According to fan sites it will be a controlled family drop tower, similar to the Croc Drop tower in Chessington in the UK (also a Merlín park)