A dark ride or ghost train is an indoor amusement ride on which passengers aboard guided vehicles travel through specially lit scenes that typically contain animation, sound, music and special effects.[1] Appearing as early as the 19th century, such exhibits include tunnels of love, scary themes and interactive stories. Dark rides are intended to tell stories with thematic elements that immerse riders, which unfold throughout the course of the attraction.
In its most traditional form, the term dark ride refers to ride-through attractions with scenes that use black lights, whereby visible light is prevented from entering the space, and only show elements that fluoresce under ultraviolet radiation are seen by the riders. The size of each room containing a scene or scenes is thus concealed, and the set designer can use forced perspective, Pepper's ghost and other visual tricks to create the illusion of distance. Typically, these experiences also use a series of opaque doors between scenes to further control riders' views within a space-constrained building. Prominent examples include Disneyland's Snow White's Scary Adventures, Pinocchio's Daring Journey, Peter Pan's Flight, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and Alice in Wonderland, which all rely on the use of blacklights in almost every scene.[2]
The first dark rides appeared in the late 19th century and were called "scenic railways" and "pleasure railways".[3] A popular type of dark ride commonly referred to as an old mill or tunnel of love used small boats to carry riders through water-filled canals. A Trip to the Moon began operation at the 1901 Pan-American Exposition. Marvin Rempfer and Leon Cassidy of the Pretzel Amusement Ride Company patented the first single-rail electric dark ride in 1928. Historically notable dark rides include Futurama at the 1939 New York World's Fair, and Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland.
Modern attractions in this genre vary widely in technical sophistication. Smaller-scale rides often feature the same sorts of simple animation and sounds used since the genre's early days, while more ambitious projects feature complex animatronics, special effects and ride vehicles utilizing cutting-edge technology.[4]
To improve the effect and give a sense of journey, passages in dark rides frequently change direction. Sudden curves give a sense of disorientation and allow new scenes to surprise the rider. The rides may also feature sudden ascents or descents to further the excitement.
Although ever increasing investments are made in dark rides, empirical research in this area is relatively scarce. Based on a systematic literature review, a team of researchers from the University of Liechtenstein developed a model that illustrates the underlying effect mechanism that attendees of Dark Rides experience.The model suggests that "Storytelling" in Dark Rides influences an attendee's "emotional attachment" to the ride through the mediator of "Immersion". It is assumed that a person's prior knowledge about the ride's story and a person's cultural background have moderating effects on the relationship between "storytelling" and "immersion".[5]
Dark rides have a number of variations that are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
In the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, China and Australia, dark rides with a scary theme are called ghost trains.
The first ride to use the name "Ghost Train" was that of Blackpool Pleasure Beach.[6] The ride was imported in 1930 and originally called The Pretzel (due to the curving shape of its track layout); but as pretzels were little-known in Britain, it was soon renamed after The Ghost Train, a play which ran for a year in London, a film adaptation of which was showing in 1931.[7] It was rebuilt in 1936 and has remained unchanged since. Blackpool Pleasure Beach is also home to Valhalla, a large indoor dark ride.
In Australia, a dark ride is named The Ghost Train at Luna Park, Melbourne, and a similarly-named ride was destroyed by fire in 1979 at Luna Park Sydney.
The concept is also popular in the United States. One notable ghost train from the country is The Haunted Mansion, first opened in Disneyland in Anaheim, California, on August 9, 1969.[8]
Interactive dark rides feature a component that allows riders to be involved in the attraction's story. The first interactive dark ride ever built is El Paso at the Belgium theme park Bobbejaanland.[9] [10]
The vast majority of interactive dark rides are shooting dark rides, which require riders to aim and shoot at targets throughout the ride using handheld or vehicle-mounted light guns. Successfully shooting a target usually triggers special animation, such as flashing lights or moving the target. The more targets riders hit, the higher their scores at the end of the ride. The use of light guns varies between rides, from killing aliens on at Universal Studios Florida to calling turkeys on Gobbler Getaway at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari.[11] [12] The ride systems of conventional dark rides can be easily converted into shooting dark rides. Such conversions include Duel: The Haunted House Strikes Back! at Alton Towers ((until 2023 when the ride was altered)) and Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin at Disney's Magic Kingdom. The latter uses facilities that previously housed If You Had Wings, Delta Dreamflight, and Take Flight. A recent dark ride, Wonder Mountain's Guardian at Canada's Wonderland, has the world's longest interactive screen at over 500feet.
Among non-shooting interactive dark rides, Etnaland's[13] award-winning[14] Haunted School[15] is described by Park World magazine as "one of the most idiosyncratic dark rides". It is themed to a school exam, with riders individually answering multiple-choice questions throughout it. Riders are graded on their responses, and each receives a school report at the end of the ride.[16] While technically a coaster, the Gekion Live coaster at Joypolis had elements of a dark ride. It used to have a shooting element, only for it to be refurbished with a dance element (tapping buttons on the restraints) later.
The Walt Disney Company is the first to develop a trackless ride system for its dark ride attractions. Trackless dark rides utilize automated guided vehicles that do not require guide rails, and thus are able to cross existing paths, reverse, and rotate. Some trackless dark rides, such as the Big Red Car Ride at Dreamworld, relied on a buried wire for navigation. Others, such as Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disneyland Park, Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland or at Disneyland Paris and Epcot, use Wi-Fi and RFID-based local positioning systems.[17] The system provides more versatility for the vehicles to move in randomized patterns.[18] The magnets in the attractions’ floor keep the vehicles “on track” with a guiding master computer system telling the vehicles where to go.[19] The earliest form of this technology existed in warehouses, where electric box lifts robotically moved across the floor to transport boxes. In addition, the technology has been used in autonomous vacuum robots that rely on motion sensors to freely roam the floor since 1996.[20] The trackless dark ride system as it is known today, debuted in 2000 at Tokyo Disneyland's “Pooh's Hunny Hunt” attraction– a dark ride based on Disney's 1977 hit animated feature film The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. However, while Pooh's Hunny Hunt pioneered the trackless ride system, it was Hollywood Studio's Tower of Terror and Epcot's Universe of Energy attractions that first utilized the technology.[21]
The use of virtual reality in the development of trackless technology is often overlooked. The Disney VR Studio, founded in 1992, allowed the exploration of virtual reality technology for theme park rides. Before its role in the development of the trackless system, the VR Studio used virtual prototypes to model attractions such as California Screamin’ at Disney's California Adventure Park. Disney has used virtual simulations to allow designers to experience roller coasters before they are built and as a means of previewing complex new ride vehicles such as the free-ranging vehicles used in "Pooh's Hunny Hunt".[22] Moreover, this computer visualization is a powerful tool for transcending language barriers. Showing a virtual prototype of "Pooh's Hunny Hunt" to Japan was a cause of the implementation of the ride at Tokyo Disneyland due to its use of imaging over speech.
Some dark rides are intense for riders, as they contain vigorous themed elements such as flashing lights, black light effects, sudden drops, stoppages, or other turbulent movements that may be harmful to impaired riders. As more thrill rides are created, the number of attractions that limit riders with disabilities increases. Most commonly, guests who are prohibited from riding are those who are too overweight for the ride vehicle to safely hold the guest's weight or prevent the safety harness from locking in place. Other ride restrictions include those who do not meet a certain height requirement or are too tall to clear the attractions’ set pieces, or those who lack a certain number of arms and legs.[23] Ride requirements are created to ensure all guests’ safety throughout the ride and are posted throughout the attractions’ queue to prevent the companies’ liability if a rider is physically harmed. However, according to Title III of the Americans Disability Act it is illegal for amusement parks to discriminate against any persons with disabilities from equal enjoyment of goods of services in a public place of accommodation. Therefore, companies such as The Walt Disney Company are required by law to accommodate any person with a physical disability who still meets the ride requirements. This often includes guests who use wheelchairs or crutches.
Services such as the Disability Access Service (DAS) at Disney theme parks instates equality between disabled and non-disabled riders in its theme parks and resorts, making these attractions largely accessible for its guests. Companies such as Universal Studios offer similar services such as the Attractions Assistance Pass (AAS). The DAS pass allows guests to reserve a spot in an attraction's line, select a time to board the attraction, and return at their scheduled time. This allows guests who cannot physically wait in a trackless dark ride queue to still ride without being present at the queue, but still wait the same amount of time as other abled guests. Many trackless dark ride queues are tight, enclosed spaces for guests to wind through, which are often difficult for people with wheelchairs or other amenities to navigate.
Moreover, as the trackless ride systems are complex and the vehicles run constantly, more ride breakdowns and stoppages occur. Due to the many elements of these attractions, breakdowns occur more frequently and take more time to address.[24] Hollywood Studio's Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance had more than 540 unplanned stoppages in 2022, breaking down more than any other attraction at Walt Disney World that year.[25] This can be frustrating for guests as trackless rides are some of the most popular, yet break down the most often. Trackless dark rides often have some of the longest wait times at theme parks. Wait time data from Walt Disney World in 2022 shows that Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance has an average wait time of 127 minutes at Disney's Hollywood Studios park, whereas the average wait time for other Disney World, non-trackless attractions is just 36 minutes.[26] Long wait times coupled with frequent ride stoppages can be vexing for guests, but may be well worth it to those who prefer trackless dark rides to other experiences.
See main article: article and Enclosed roller coaster. While some roller coasters may be indoors, simply enclosing a roller coaster does not make it a dark ride. Dark coasters are roller coasters that feature heavily themed layouts, special effects (such as animated characters, fire, smoke, and sound/lighting effects), and a dark ride portion that abruptly transitions into a roller coaster-style layout with heavily banked turns, sharp turns, steep drops, and helices. Some of them include backward motion, and many have launch mechanisms rather than lifts. Examples include:
Test Track at Epcot, Journey to the Center of the Earth at Tokyo DisneySea, and Radiator Springs Racers at Disney California Adventure each use a slot car track rather than that of a roller coaster, but they provide a similar pairing of dark ride scenes with a high-speed thrill ride.
Saw – The Ride at Thorpe Park features an enclosed dark section with strobe lighting and special effects, before the car enters the outdoor section of the ride.
Particularly in Disney-built or -influenced parks, a number of attractions use traditional dark-ride features, such as animatronics and theatrical lighting, but are not "dark rides" in that patrons do not board vehicles. Examples include the walk-through dioramas in Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle, and theater-based Disney attractions like Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, The Hall of Presidents, The American Adventure and Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room. Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress (and its now-closed Disneyland replacement America Sings) had four auditoriums that rotated audiences around a stationary core with show scenes.
The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Railroad both include brief dark-ride scenes, but for the most part transport guests outdoors. Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom, Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Space Mountain at several Disney parks, and Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars at Hong Kong Disneyland likewise include some dark-ride elements, but function primarily as indoor/outdoor roller coasters.
| Title | Open | Location | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Op Reis Met Bumba | 2023 | Plopsaland De Panne | ||
| 1971−1994 2001 | ||||
| Adventure Thru Inner Space | 1967−1985 | Replaced in 1985 by Star Tours | ||
| Alice in Wonderland | 1961 | |||
| 1958 | ||||
| Animal Crisis | 2014 | |||
| Apiland | 2000 | Parc du Bocasse | ||
| Apirama | 1979−1999 | 8-min. water dark ride with one drop; Transformed by new owner into Het Bos van Plop (Plopsaland) | ||
| Atlantis Adventure | 2007 | |||
| 2013-2020 | A first-of-its-kind motion-based trackless dark ride developed by Oceaneering International | |||
| Bermuda Triangle | 1994−2010 | Replaced by Storm Coaster | ||
| Big Red Car Ride | 2005-2020 | |||
| Blå Tåget | 1935 | Renovated 2011 | ||
| 2010 | Formerly a Scooby-Doo-themed ride, rebranded after the parks did not renew the licence | |||
| Bubbleworks | 1990−2016 | Water dark ride, originally Prof. Burp's Bubble Works, later called Imperial Leather Bubbleworks. | ||
| 2005 2005−2017 | Disneyland Hong Kong Disneyland | Hong Kong Disneyland version closed to make way for | ||
| 2004 | Tokyo Disneyland | |||
| 2006 | Disneyland Park (Disneyland Paris) | |||
| 2016 | Shanghai Disneyland Park | |||
| 1998 | ||||
| Calico Mine Ride | 1960 | |||
| Capitán Balas | 2007 | |||
| 1984 | ||||
| Castillo del Terror | ||||
| Cave Train | 1961 | |||
| Challenge of Mondor | 2008 | |||
| Challenge of Tutankhamon | 2001 | |||
| 2006−2015 | Formerly Around The World In 80 Days (1981-1993), then Toyland Tours (1994-2005). Currently closed | |||
| 1973 | ||||
| 2007 | This attraction is also a roller coaster | |||
| Cueva de las Tarántulas | 2006 | Replacing The Old Mine 1910 | ||
| Cueva del Horror | Parque de Atracciones de Zaragoza | |||
| 1992 | Alton Towers | Formerly The Haunted House (1992-2003), then Duel - The Haunted House Strikes Back (2003-2023). Refurbished again in 2023 to The Curse at Alton Manor. | ||
| Curse of DarKastle | 2005−2017 | |||
| Den Flyvende Kuffert | 1993 | |||
| The Den of Lost Thieves | 1998 | Previously opened in 1969 as the Mystery Mansion | ||
| Derren Brown's Ghost Train | 2016 | An attraction that incorporates virtual reality headsets and motion simulation | ||
| Devil's Den | 1968 | Haunted house-style dark ride with illusions, stunts, and spooky murals. One of only five Pretzel rides still operating. | ||
| Dinolandia | ||||
| 1998 | ||||
| Dracula's Castle | 1974 | Refurbished with new scenes in 2007; featured in episode 27 ("Blind Luck") of the 1987-88 television series Werewolf | ||
| Dream River | 2019 | Parque de Atracciones de Zaragoza | Formerly Río Misterioso | |
| 1993 | Efteling | |||
| Dwarf City | 1975 | Europa-Park | ||
| El Laberinto del Minotauro | 2000 | |||
| El Rescate de Ulises | 2001 | Boat ride. The longest dark ride in Europe | ||
| El Rio del Tiempo | 1982−2007 | Changed to Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros | ||
| El Último Minuto | 2006 | |||
| Elf Ride | 1979 | Europa-Park | ||
| 1996 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | |||
| 1990 1991−2003 2001−2009 | Universal Studios Florida Universal Studios Hollywood Universal Studios Japan | |||
| Fantasía | 1999−2016 | Parque de Atracciones de Madrid | ||
| 1986 | Efteling | |||
| 2007 | Re-theming of the Submarine Voyage | |||
| 1972 | The original Fire in the Hole is closing permanently at the end of 2023. A new Fire in the Hole will debut at the park in 2024. | |||
| 2016 | Replaced Maelstrom | |||
| 1930 | ||||
| Ghostwood Estate | 2008 | |||
| 2006 | ||||
| 2007 | Formerly El Rio del Tiempo dark ride (1982) | |||
| The Great Movie Ride | 1989−2017 | |||
| The Great Pistolero Roundup | 1999 | |||
| 2010 2014 2016 | Universal Islands of Adventure Universal Studios Japan Universal Studios Hollywood | |||
| 1969 1971 1983 | Disneyland Magic Kingdom Tokyo Disneyland | |||
| Haunted Mansion | 1973 | Knoebels Amusement Park | ||
| Het Bos van Plop | 1999 | 8-minute boat dark ride with one drop, on track of former Apirama | ||
| High Dive | 1994 | Porto Europa | Arrow Dynamics flume ride | |
| I Corsari: la Vendetta del Fantasma | 1992 | Opened as I Corsari in 1992, in 2018 was renovated and changed the name | ||
| If You Had Wings | 1972−1989 | |||
| 2001 | ||||
| 1995 | ||||
| 1964 1966 1971 1983 1992 2008 | 1964 New York World's Fair Disneyland Magic Kingdom Tokyo Disneyland Disneyland Park (Disneyland Paris) Hong Kong Disneyland | |||
| Jocco's Mardi Gras Madness | 2000−2005 | |||
| 1998 2004 2007 | Refurbished in Orlando in 2017; elevator segment in San Diego version | |||
| Jumanji - The Adventure | 2022 | |||
| 2012 | ||||
| 2015 2015 2016 2017 2017 2017 | Six Flags Over Texas installation replaced Adventure Theater; Six Flags St. Louis installation replaced Scooby-Doo! Ghostblasters: The Mystery of the Scary Swamp; Six Flags Great America installation replaced Southwest Amphitheater and was converted into a 2D interactive ride in the 2020s | |||
| Kärlekstunneln | 1917 | Gröna Lund | Refurbished in 1987 | |
| Kingdom of the Dinosaurs | 1987−2004 | Replaced by Voyage to the Iron Reef | ||
| Knott's Bear-y Tales | 1975−1987 | Knott's Berry Farm | Replaced by Kingdom of the Dinosaurs, revived in 2021 as | |
| Kosmikar | Mount Igueldo Amusement Park | |||
| Kyöpelinvuoren Hotelli | 2013 | |||
| 2005 | ||||
| La Furia de los Dioses | 1999−2010 | Isla Mágica | ||
| 2011 2012 | Disney California Adventure Park Magic Kingdom | Magic Kingdom installation opened as "Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid". | ||
| 1982 | ||||
| Looney Tunes River Ride | 1991−2011 1996−2004 | |||
| Los Piratas | 1984−1996 | Parque de Atracciones de Madrid | Replaced by The Old Mine 1910 | |
| Madame Freudenreich Curiosités | 2018 | Europa-Park | Replaced Universe of Energy, being a retheme of that ride | |
| Maelstrom | 1988−2014 | Closed for conversion to Frozen Ever After | ||
| Magical Powder | 2002 | |||
| 1999 2003 2005 | Magic Kingdom Disneyland Hong Kong Disneyland | Magic Kingdom installation replaced Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Disneyland installation replaced Country Bear Jamboree | ||
| 2006 | Disney California Adventure Park | |||
| 2009 | Tokyo Disneyland | |||
| 2000 | Universal Studios Florida | |||
| 2020 2022 | ||||
| The Mine of Lost Souls | 1985 | Refurbished in 1992 by the Sally Corporation | ||
| Minen | 2003 | |||
| 2009 | Tales of the Okefenokee 1967-1980; Monster Plantation 1981-2009 | |||
| 1955 1971−1998 | Magic Kingdom installation replaced by The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh | |||
| Mysterious River | Monte Igueldo Amusement Park | |||
| 2013 | Hong Kong Disneyland | |||
| 2013 | Notable for being homemade, Mystic Motel contains a small walkthrough section as well as the 60-ft ride | |||
| The Old Mine 1910 | 1997−2004 | Parque de Atracciones de Madrid | Replaced by Cueva de las Tarántulas | |
| 1955 1971 1983 1992 2016 | Disneyland Magic Kingdom Tokyo Disneyland Disneyland Park (Disneyland Paris) Shanghai Disneyland Park | |||
| Phantasmagoria | 1973−2007 | Bell's Amusement Park | Was one of the largest and longest haunted amusements in the country with a two-story track and 27 tricks and surprises, ride was demolished June 19, 2007 when Bell's Amusement Park was permanently closed | |
| Phantom Fantasia | 1983−2000 | Thorpe Park | Later Wicked Witches Haunt; closed in 2000 by fire. | |
| 1992 | Disneyland Park (Disneyland Paris) | |||
| Phantom Theater | 1972−2002 | Kings Island | Replaced with Scooby-Doo's Haunted Mansion and later with Boo Blasters on Boo Hill | |
| Piccolo Mondo | 1982 | Before 2011 refurbishment was called Ciao Bambini | ||
| Pinocchio | ||||
| 1983 1983 1992 | Tokyo Disneyland Disneyland Disneyland Park (Disneyland Paris) | |||
| Pirates in Batavia | 1987−2018 | Europa-Park | Boat ride with one big drop | |
| 1972 | ||||
| 1967 1973 1983 1992 | Disneyland Magic Kingdom Tokyo Disneyland Disneyland Park (Disneyland Paris) | |||
| 2000 | Tokyo Disneyland | |||
| Popcorn Revenge | 2019 | |||
| Puppet Boat Ride | 1992 | Europa-Park | ||
| 2014 2020 | ||||
| 2006-2018 | ||||
| Río Misterioso | 1978-2018 | Parque de Atracciones de Zaragoza | Reopened as Dream River | |
| 1905 | ||||
| 1999 2002—2019 | Disney's Hollywood Studios Walt Disney Studios Park | This attraction is also a roller coaster. This attraction also existed at Walt Disney Studios Park, in Paris. The roller coaster closed for the construction of the new Marvel theme area Avengers Campus | ||
| 1994 1996 | Disneyland Tokyo Disneyland | |||
| Scooby-Doo's Haunted Mansion | 2000−2009 2001−2009 2002−2018 2003−2014 2004−2009 2005−2009 | Canada's Wonderland |
| |
| Shootout at the Flooded Mine | 1968 | Silver Dollar City | ||
| 2001 | Tokyo DisneySea | |||
| 1955 1971−2012 1983 1992 | Disneyland Magic Kingdom Tokyo Disneyland Disneyland Park (Disneyland Paris) | Magic Kingdom installation replaced by Princess Fairytale Hall | ||
| Snowflake Sleigh Ride | 1998 | Europa-Park | ||
| 1982 | ||||
| Spectacolo | 2005 | Free-fall dark ride | ||
| 1989-2023 1992-2023 1992 | Disneyland Magic Kingdom Tokyo Disneyland | |||
| 2019 2020 | ||||
| Submarine Voyage | 1959−1998 | Reopened as Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage in 2007 | ||
| The Swiss Chocolate Adventure[27] | 2014 | Swiss Museum of Transport (Verkehrshaus), Lucerne | Covers an area of 700sqm | |
| Symbolica | 2017 | Efteling | Dark ride about Efteling's mascot, Pardoes; system delivered by Dutch company ETF, developed from cancelled project Hartenhof | |
| Terroride | 1967 | Refurbished with all-new scenes and updated animatronics in 2017. Temporarily renamed Terroride: A Classic Reimagined for its 50th season operating. | ||
| 1969 | Knott's Berry Farm | |||
| 2002 | Chessington World of Adventures | Formerly Terror Tomb, refurbished in 2002 with new scenes and laser-gun game system; replaced The 5th Dimension in 1994 | ||
| 2008 2008 2012 | Disney California Adventure Park Disney's Hollywood Studios Tokyo DisneySea | |||
| 2011 2012 2013 2021 | ||||
| TV's Family Favourites | 1995−1998 | |||
| 1994 | ||||
| Universe of Energy | 1994−2017 | Europa-Park | Rethemed as Madame Freudenreich Curiosités | |
| 2000 | Blackpool Pleasure Beach | |||
| Viaje al Centro de la Tierra | 1970−1979 | Parque de Atracciones de Madrid | ||
| Viaje en el Tiempo | 2001 | Dinópolis | ||
| Viaje Galáctico | 1970−1986 | Parque de Atracciones de Madrid | Replaced by Los Piratas | |
| 2022 | ||||
| Voyage to the Iron Reef | 2015-2020 | Knott's Berry Farm | Replaced by | |
| Wacky Factory | 2010 | Formerly Castle | ||
| 2013 | ||||
| The Whacky Shack | 1982 | |||
| The Whacky Shack | 1970 | |||
| Wild West Adventure | 2000 | |||
| 2014 |
Dark rides that move you
Dark Ride Designer
Dark Ride and Funhouse information
Trackless, Interactive, and Traditional Dark Ride Designer
Dark Ride Designer
Dark Ride Designer
Dark Ride Designer