WE ARE LIVING IN THE GOLDEN AGE OF THEME PARKS

Closer to home, the Huyverwoud area at Efteling shows how this approach works without a global IP. The world of Danse Macabre is rooted in a story from long ago but they also made story for the present day which explains why the area is inhabited now in an incredible fun and eerie way.

Even outside traditional ride experiences, storytelling now plays a central role. Animatronics like Toothless in Isle of Berk or Disney’s latest Olaf figure both designed purely for encounter and photography, are so lifelike that they blur the line between set dressing and character. These aren’t static props; they’re moments of connection, designed to feel personal, emotional, and real.

Global expansion: parks where none existed before

One of the clearest signs that we are living in a golden age of theme parks is where they are being built. Across the world, major operators are moving beyond their traditional strongholds and investing in entirely new regions.

Disney’s announcement of a new resort on Yas Island is a defining moment. This will be Disney’s first substantial theme park in the Middle East and only the seventh Disney destination worldwide. Rather than exporting an existing park model, the project aims to combine classic Disney storytelling with architectural and cultural influences rooted in the Emirates. 

Universal is making a similarly ambitious move with its first European theme park near Bedford, now approved and expected to open by 2031. For a continent with a deep theme park culture but no dedicated Universal resort, this represents a major shift and a long-term commitment to Europe as a core market rather than a secondary one.

And the expansion doesn’t stop there. Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya entertainment megaproject includes large-scale theme park developments designed to serve both local and international audiences. Romania has announced plans for a billion-dollar Dracula-themed park rooted in regional mythology, while Mexico is moving forward with an entirely new concept focused on luxury, experience-driven theme park travel.

Taken together, these projects show an industry no longer content with filling gaps on existing maps. This isn’t incremental growth. It’s the deliberate creation of entirely new theme park regions, new continents of possibility.

Reinventing what already exists

What makes this era also remarkable is that innovation isn’t limited to brand-new parks. Some of the most exciting developments are happening inside destinations that already exist. Just a few examples.

At Walt Disney World, long-term expansions and large-scale reimaginings across multiple parks show a clear willingness to rethink familiar spaces. Entire areas are being redeveloped, like the Muppets and Dinosaurs area, also we are expecting a complete new area at Walt Disney World.

At Universal Epic Universe, the rumours are that they will get an expansions in just a few years after opening with a Wicked expansions being rumoured. 

A similar ambition can be seen at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, where the addition of a dedicated Wizarding World of Harry Potter marks a major evolution for the park. 

Why now? 

This golden age didn’t happen by accident it's made possible by advances in  technology like AI, motion systems Holoboxes and many more. Most of all though it's made possible by global tourism growth.

Industry thinkers at places like IAAPA, the big global attractions expo, talk about a renaissance driven by innovation, global expansion and strategic partnerships, not just competition between a couple of big players. 

This reflects a fundamental shift: theme parks are no longer just regional attractions, they are global cultural experiences.

How lucky are we to be alive right now?!

For me, it’s impossible not to feel excited about living in this moment. To be able to watch these parks take shape, to experience worlds that would have felt unimaginable just a decade ago, and to know that so much more is still ahead, it’s a rare privilege. We don’t take it for granted. We hope to travel, to experience as much of this era as we can, and to document it along the way.

Because moments like this don’t come around often.

So we’re curious: what are you most looking forward to in this golden age of theme parks?
A new park, a long-awaited attraction, or a world you’ve been dreaming of visiting?

Tell us. This era is better experienced together.