Today is the 25th anniversary of the day that I registered the domain name ThemeParkInsider.com. I had been publishing interactive guides to several theme parks on my personal website for about a year before deciding that I needed to bring them all together on a site of their own. So today is the day that I consider the birthday of Theme Park Insider.
Five years ago, I celebrated the day by publishing 20 Great Reads for 20 Years of Theme Park Insider, with 20 of my favorite articles that we had published on the website in its first two decades. Rather than just adding five more posts to that collection this time, I decided to feature 25 attraction reviews from the site.
These are not necessarily the "best" reviews we have written - that is far too subjective a determination for one person to make. They are simply 25 that I believe are not only good articles to read but also great examples of the particular style I hope we offer here at Theme Park Insider - thoughtful, informative. and engaging.
I hope that you will help us celebrate today by spending some time reading your pick of these reviews. Perhaps you might share your favorites with friends or colleagues or on social media, to help spread the word about the Theme Park Insider community.
The reviews include several for attractions that are no longer with us. We start with the very first attraction review that I posted to Theme Park Insider: Robert Niles Reviews California Adventure's Tower of Terror.
Disney California Adventure rethemed its installation of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror drop ride in 2017. And I also reviewed its replacement in Ride Review: Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout.
The Six Flags Magic Mountain roller coaster today called Apocalypse opened in 2009 with a Terminator theme. Six Flags long ago lost that IP license, leading to the ride's renaming just a couple years later, but I had plenty to say about the IP when Six Flags had it: Take a ride on Six Flags' Terminator Salvation: The Ride.
Getting back to Disney, in 2017 I reviewed Walt Disney World's attempt to bring a nighttime spectacular to Disney's Animal Kingdom. I loved it, but not enough other people did, so the park closed it after two years to reboot it. It never returns after the pandemic. If you never saw the show, here is what you missed: Disney finds a new way to wrap up your day, with Rivers of Light.
The biggest, quickest closure in recent Disney history is likely that of Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser, the Star Wars-themed hotel that lasted just over one year at Walt Disney World. Russell Meyer documented the experience of staying there in a series of posts and videos that remain archived on our Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser page.
But the Disney closure that hit me the hardest was that of Tom Sawyer Island, the first ride I worked at Walt Disney World, and the one that inspired me to get into Web publishing about theme parks. Last fall, I walked around the island for the final time: A former Disney cast member's tribute to Tom Sawyer Island.
We have reviewed plenty of theme park openings over our 25 years here at Theme Park Insider, and a couple of them have closed during that time. One of those was Bollywood Parks Dubai, which reopened with a Real Madrid theme last year. You can re-live some of the experience of the original park in Theme park fans don't need to know Bollywood to love Bollywood Parks Dubai.
I would like to highlight three other theme park opening reviews that we have featured here on Theme Park Insider, starting with an indoor theme park in Moscow that debuted just days before the global pandemic lockdowns in 2020. Ben Mills was there to tell us that Dream Island shows promise, but not much else, on its opening.
The biggest news in the theme park industry so far this year might have been Disney's announcement that it would partner with Miral to build a Disney theme park on Miral's Yas Island resort in Abu Dhabi. Just a couple of years ago, I visited Yas Island to review its latest park, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi: In Abu Dhabi, SeaWorld finds its heart again.
Of course, I also have to include on our 25th anniversary list the biggest theme park opening of the year: Universal Epic Universe.
Let's also highlight three reviews of immersive, single-IP lands that have opened during our time together, starting with Cars Land at Disney California Adventure.
And continuing with the first of Disney's Star Wars lands: Bringing Star Wars to life in Disneyland's Galaxy's Edge.
Justin Olsvik covered the opening of the Zootopia land at Shanghai Disneyland for us: Disney's 'Crazy Animal City' comes alive in Shanghai's Zootopia.
Sometimes, special events are attractions, too. Natalie Niles brought us her thoughts on the Disneyland Resort's latest take on an after-hours, hard-ticket Halloween event with Making the most of Halloween at Disney's Oogie Boogie Bash.
Returning to single attraction reviews, screen-based attractions have gotten plenty of hate from fans over the past couple of decades, but I admired what Universal did with projection media in Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor's Quest at Universal Studios Hollywood: Universal smashes expectations with its new Kung Fu Panda show.
Roller coaster reviews are the heart of Theme Park Insider. But coasters do not have to challenge records to be interesting enough to merit discussion. Let's start our selection of coaster reviews with Ride Review: The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.
Keeping with Disney coasters, Scale Makes the Magic on Disney World's TRON Lightcycle Run.
Bobbie Butterfield reminds us that great coasters can be found outside the big-brand parks too. Going Beyond Vertical: Let's Take a Ride on Utah's 'Cannibal'.
Russell Meyer visited Europa-Park in Germany to sample what many readers now consider one of if not the best coaster in the world in his European Road Trip, Part 7: Voltron Nevera Powered by Rimac.
I love James Koehl's review of the new Wild Mouse at Cedar Point, in which he shares his experience getting evacuated off the ride during its media preview: There's a Wild New Ride on The Boardwalk at Cedar Point
And let's add two reviews of roller coasters at Silver Dollar City, starting with James Rao, who reported that Silver Dollar City's Time Traveler spins an amazing ride.
Next up: Silver Dollar City hits the mark with new Fire In The Hole.
Finally, I would like to close with three of my recent favorites among the reviews I have posted to Theme Park Insider, starting with Disney's makeover of its former Splash Mountain flume rides: Disney makes a better splash with Tiana's Bayou Adventure.
This goes beyond theme parks, but it's still Disney. I visited Disney Cruise Line's new Lookout Cay in The Bahamas, and write that Nature makes the magic at Lighthouse Point.
And earlier this summer, I found much more than I expected in Walt Disney World's new Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After show: Magic Mirror reveals true villains in Walt Disney World's new show.
Again, thank you to every one of you for reading and following Theme Park Insider. Much has changed online and in the world in the quarter century (!) that I have been publishing this site. But my commitment to providing thoughtful, insightful and interesting community-focused theme park news and commentary remains unchanged. Thank you for being part of this Theme Park Insider community.
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Congratulations! Here's to another 25 years!
Always well written. Always reliable. No wonder your long lived and successful. ??
Thank you, Robert, for keeping us informed! Love your site!
Ah, such memories, congrats and here's to another quarter century!
Well Brian, I just hit my 24th year on the site (July 2001), so it’s not me. TH Creative joined after me, and he used to have some real back and forth with Kevin Baxter who joined in February 2001. Before Kevin, I don’t know.
Popping a cork for TPI! Congrats on 25 years and thanks for keeping this site the best one covering the themed entertainment industry. Here’s to 25 more…
And Robert, congratulations for 25 years of great information and fun!
H A P P Y _ A N N I V E R S A R Y !
Congratulations on 25 years!
Happy 25! I've been here for less than a year but checking up on it already seems like a piece of my daily routine!
I'm one of the old-timers here and checking out TPI has been a daily routine for me decades now. The insight and commentary offered here is top notch. Robert of course, but everyone else that contributes to the site makes it what it is. Congrats TPI!
For a quarter of a century, Theme Park Insider has consistently established itself as THE standard for platforms covering themed entertainment. Benefiting from Robert's roots as a Walt Disney World cast member, his degree in journalism from Northwestern University and his current residency in southern California, the site has been ahead of the curve on so many industry developments.
Kudos also to the TPI community "regs" who have consistently contributed platinum level content. I am referencing great writers like AJ Hummel, Tim Hillman, MikeW, fattyackin, Manny Barron, Sarah Warner, James Rao (wherever you are), Anthony Murphy, James Trexen and the absolutely peerless Russell Meyer.
From the thoughtful discussions to the sea of cynical trolls, TPI 's content has been consistently insightful and entertaining.
Robert, you are not just an outside commentator, you are a part of themed entertainment history. I suspect a team of Walt Disney Imagineers is working on an audio animatronic version of you that will be both admired and criticized.
(Chuckle)
Congratulations, my friend. Wishing you another 25.
NEXT!
Congrats !
What troubles me that occasionally there are several updates on a day (July 29th had two). I picture Robert in a darkened basement, pale, unshaven, empty pizza boxes thrown around, hovering over a laptop, searching scary corners of the dark internet for themepark news. What he sacrifices to keep us up to date, and for so many years!
Just kidding. Thanks for a rare, level-headed voice about the strange world of theme parks and their even stranger customers. I count myself in there too.
Congratulations Robert!! I can’t believe it’s been 25 years. Time moves fast, but your coverage of everything theme park has been superb. Thanks for all you do!
Congratulations on 25 years! Thank you for all of the fantastic stories over the years. Theme Park Insider has fueled my theme park fandom for decades.
And right back atcha, TH.
But my man, "writer"? I've always seen myself as more of a "literary critic" at best...
Hard to believe that I joined the site back when I was in high school and am now almost 30 years old.
Congratulations on the quarter century, Robert! While I haven't been here since the beginning, I've definitely seen much of this site's existence and much of the change that has occurred over that time. While the TPI of today isn't identical to the TPI of years past, it has endured unlike so many other sites serving this hobby and is one of the top places for longer written articles rather than video content, especially outside of the Disneyverse.
Here's to another 25 years for this community!
It's humbling to have been a small part of TPI since September 2002, and I'm immensely proud when I attend media events representing such a well-regarded and respected publication. With the fracturing and decline of traditional media, the advent of user-driven content, and the proliferation of AI-generated "clickbait", TPI has maintained a high level of integrity, originality, and journalistic standards that consistently exceed what is often found in mainstream publications - I always get a chuckle from articles in my "hometown" Washington Post covering theme park news that can't come close to what is written here and often can't even get the important details right.
While Epic Universe has probably been one of the biggest stories of this decade with WWoHP, Star Wars Galaxy's Edge, and PTWoA dominating the prior decade, it's a bit of a shame that TPI's coverage of the opening and ultimate closing of Hard Rock Park/Freestyle Music Park from the 00's was not highlighted here.
It's certainly been a privilege to be a part of this community and it's incredible to have been given the opportunity to allow a hobby to feel so rewarding and appreciated. Robert Niles has established the gold standard for everything that's great about the internet and fostering one of the best communities that you can find on the world wide web.
You know it's a big deal when TH comes out from a months' long slumber (likely basking in the glow of incredible success earlier this year and taking a breath before preparing for the next challenge ahead, or perhaps already headlong into it) to offer their thoughts on this landmark occasion.
I was starting to wonder if TH had been captured by space aliens. That work he did on MIB was way too realistic to be from someone's imagination!
And Russell, I forgot that you were an early contributor on TPI. I really appreciate and enjoy the Front Page articles and Discussion Forum topics that you and Robert and the other writers have posted to the site over the years.
Great site. Thanks for all the years of valuable information and insider knowledge.
Cheers to 25 years.
@Russell:
Well said sir, and thanks for your many thorough and insightful contributions. If Robert is the lead anchor in the booth, then you’re the intrepid man on the sideline, offering firsthand accounts that deliver accurate and reasoned analysis.
@TH: Thanks for the shout-out! Seeing you posting again means all is right in the TPI jungle :)
And to echo many sentiments from above, thanks to all of the fans, writers, and industry experts that contribute to these discussions passionately and without patronizing, tribalising, or antagonizing. It’s a refreshing place to be on the web. Okay, GROUP HUG EVERYBODY!
Thanks, Robert, for everything! Although what you do seems like a dream job to anyone interested in theme parks, it can't always be easy to stay on top of everything and consistently provide fresh material. I feel honored to have had some small involvement in providing content. As to what Russell said about TPI being held in high regard, that reminds me that a number of my reviews of new attractions were picked up by Amusement Today, an indication that their editors consider the content of TPI to be more worthy of publication than that of some other sources.
Congrats!! I think I've been around since 2012!
It has been so great being part of this community! Here's to the next 25 :)
Top Man, Robert! Top site! Top contributors! Keep the theme park flag flying proudly as the Theme Park Insider flag flies higher and prouder than any of the rest.
Thank you everyone for the kind words. It's been my honor to bring this site to you and to be part of this community for so many years.
Congratulations, Robert.
Congrats on 25 years Robert! Flattered to be included as your eyes and ears in China.
Congratulations Robert and thanks for all of the great theme park information and sleuthing over the years. I'm an avid reader and find your page so much easier to navigate and more informative than most. And you'll also reply to an email when I send one.
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Trivia question:
Who was the first User to sign up for TPI? Not including Robert of course.
And Happy 25!!!!