2016 will be remembered as the year of the coaster in Florida.
SeaWorld opened Mako.
Busch Gardens debuted Cobra's Curse.
And Universal Orlando welcomed back the Hulk. While these rides are now open, 2017 is set to make a splash.
"It's a theme park like no other," proclaims announcer in a promotional video for Volcano Bay.
The new waterpark will become Universal's third gated park when it opens next summer, replacing Wet ‘n Wild.
Meantime, further advancements in waterslide technology are already here.
"It's a 360 (degree), real time movie, VR movie,” shared Shoret Pakis with Polin Waterparks.
Waterslide manufacturer Polin attracted attention at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) annual Expo in Orlando for using virtual reality to give a preview of their waterslides.
At the IAAPA Attractions Expo, potential buyers can experience in real-time what a Polin water attraction looks and feels like before investing millions.
"It's the same experience, same timing, so you can see the other riders, because the idea with this slide, that two rafts are racing. They start with a tunnel and then they go into a bowl,” explained Shoret.
The manufacturer from Turkey hopes the VR preview experience will lead to more sales in North America.
As for those old fiberglass tubes closely associated with waterparks of the 80s, a Polin model reveals a tricked out interior with a storyline now painted on the enclosed flume ceiling, accompanied by music. Clouds, stars and more seemingly whizz by over rider’s heads.
Polin also has something for gamers. Here's a hint: you're about to get soaked.
"Two players try to shoot the moving targets on the screen,” Shoret shared.
The “Splash Cabin” looks like a hula hut. Yet, it’s really a video game that fights back. This virtual squirt gun fight in 4-D features screens, where the screen spits back and everyone is soaked.
"In the end, the loser faces another wet surprise,” Shoret said with a smile. Nozzles inside the screen will squirt water at video game players, soaking them.
So when will we see the likes of these new experiences in Florida? Time will only tell.
NOTE: The IAAPA Attraction Expo is not open to the public
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Scott Fais joins Travel Monthly
Catch our own Scott Fais as the Florida Correspondent on the On Demand travel magazine, Travel Monthly. Each month, Scott joins other travel reporters from across the United States as they showcase a wide variety of attractions, diners, parks and landmarks from across America. See Travel Monthly nationally on Time Warner Cable channel 411. And here at home on Channel 999. Or see more of Travel Monthly here, courtesy of NY1, a service of Charter Communications.