IAAPA Expo Day 1: Revelations on the Show Floor
The first day of IAAPA Expo was characterised by a packed floor and well-attended booths, as seen here at the Mack Rides announcement.
© EAP/SRi
(eap) The first day of the IAAPA Expo 2025 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, saw numerous announcements and exciting presentations:
At the booth of Mack Rides, trade show visitors were able to take a closer look at the vehicle for Dollywood’s coming new attraction “NightFlight Expedition” for the first time. The hybrid experience ride with roller coaster and water ride elements is scheduled to open next year at the US park (see EAP News of 18 Sept 2025). The Dutch coaster manufacturer Vekoma Rides unveiled the vehicle of its first Suspended Dark Ride, which will premiere in 2026 under the name of “SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep” at SeaWorld Orlando (see EAP News of 19 Sept 2025). Intamin presented the car design for the “Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift” coaster, which is scheduled to open in 2026 at the Universal Studios Hollywood (see EAP News of 6 May 2024).
Vekoma Rides' Ricardo Tonding & Sea Worlds' Conner Carr presented the vehicle for "SEAQuest". © EAP/SRi
Zamperla presented the inclusive drop tower “WingZ”, which will make its debut at the non-profit park Morgan’s Wonderland. In addition, the Italian manufacturer announced a compact triple launch coaster of the “Double Heart” type for Lotte World Busan in South Korea. Further vehicles were presented, among others, by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) – for the Giga Dive Coaster “Tormenta Rampaging Run” –, S&S Worldwide – a new train for the family coaster product type “RailRyder” – as well as by DOF Robotics for its new “Dark Ride” product.
Sally Dark Rides, together with Six Flags, showcased the dark ride project “Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare”, which is being realized right now and planned to open in 2026 at the US amusement park Kings Island (see EAP News of 2 Sept 2025). At the booth of Brogent Technologies, the company’s team and Alexandre Costa, CEO of the Brazilian chocolate manufacturer Cacau Show Park, provided insights into the planned flying theater project, which is scheduled to open in 2026 at the Cacau Park in São Paulo as the first Flying Theater in South America. The Canadian company Triotech presented three new products: “Electric Funfair”, “Energize!” and “Krazy Karts”, which are set to open as part of a new FEC in Montreal in summer 2026.
Norwegian Cruise Line & wiegand.waterrides announced a second Slide Coaster. © EAP/JT
In the field of water attractions, the German manufacturer wiegand.waterrides, together with Norwegian Cruise Line, announced a second Slide Coaster for the “Norwegian Luna”. The first Slide Coaster was realized on the “Norwegian Aqua” (see EAP News of 17 Mar 2025). ProSlide Technology presented its new product “PowerRAPIDS” – a family raft slide that is scheduled to open in February 2026 at the Aquatopia Water Park in Vietnam.
Storyland Studios announced a new theme park concept. Together with the company Nateland of stand-up comedian and entertainer Nate Bargatze, the themed entertainment architecture and design firm is working on a concrete project in Nashville. The feasibility study for the planned more than 100-acre (40-hectare) park is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2026.
More information on product innovations and project announcements will be published in the detailed EAP trade show report in the upcoming Jan./Feb. issue. ■
