It has been a week of sharp contrasts across the attractions industry, with major new rides moving forward while two established theme park areas face very different endings.
In the UK, Alton Towers permanently closed the World of David Walliams after just five seasons, while Flamingo Land's spell operating Alpamare Scarborough came to an end. Across the Channel, Parc Astérix outlined a sizeable expansion of its Greek area for 2027.
Further afield, Universal confirmed that construction is underway on another coaster at Epic Universe, Kentucky Kingdom revealed an indoor wooden coaster and California's Great America finally put a date on its permanent closure.
Alton Towers permanently closes the World of David Walliams
Alton Towers confirmed that the World of David Walliams permanently closed on Tuesday 3 November, bringing an abrupt end to the themed area after only five seasons. Its attractions included Gangsta Granny: The Ride, Raj's Bouncy Bottom Burp and Flavio's Fabulous Fandango.
The land opened in 2021 following the transformation of Cloud Cuckoo Land, although pandemic restrictions affected its debut season. Its closure now creates a substantial redevelopment opportunity near the centre of the park, particularly as Gangsta Granny occupies a large indoor building.
Alton Towers has not announced what will replace the area. Until official plans emerge, the important development is the closure itself rather than the considerable speculation already surrounding the site's future.
Parc Astérix details its expanded Greek area for 2027
Parc Astérix has revealed the attractions and facilities joining its Greek area in spring 2027. The development includes two family rides, a themed play area, new food outlets and a large table-service restaurant.
Tournikotis Tournikotas will consist of two family drop towers, while La Flotte de Poséidon will send eight boat-shaped vehicles spinning and rising around a central column. Together, the rides are expected to provide capacity for around 800 guests per hour.
The 460-seat La Table de Dionysos restaurant will become the expansion's centrepiece. Meanwhile, the park will complete the retracking of Tonnerre 2 Zeus before the 2027 season, following work on approximately half of the wooden coaster's course during 2026. It is a broad investment in capacity and atmosphere rather than a development built around one headline ride.
Universal confirms an indoor Dark Universe coaster
Universal Epic Universe is already preparing for its next major ride. Universal Orlando confirmed on Thursday that an indoor thrill coaster is under construction within Dark Universe, beside Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment.
The attraction will tell a new story inspired by the Universal Monsters franchise. Universal has not identified the featured characters, ride manufacturer, technology or opening year, saying only that it is planned for the years ahead.
That careful wording matters. Construction may be visible, but there is not yet enough official information to attach a firm theme or timetable to the project. What is clear is that Universal is expanding Epic Universe remarkably soon after the park's 2025 debut, adding another substantial indoor attraction to one of its most atmospheric lands.
Kentucky Kingdom reveals the world's largest indoor wooden coaster
Kentucky Kingdom has announced Midnight Showdown, an indoor wooden roller coaster scheduled to open in spring 2027. The park is billing it as the world's largest attraction of its type.
The 1,100-foot-plus coaster will feature 11 airtime moments, special effects and a horse-racing story rooted in Kentucky culture. It will anchor Bluegrass Downs, one of two redesigned lands arriving next season alongside the family-focused Happy Valley Farm.
Midnight Showdown is an unusual project for a regional park. Indoor wooden coasters remain exceptionally rare, and the combination of darkness, physical scenery and a traditional wooden ride experience should give Kentucky Kingdom a distinctive attraction that can appeal beyond the usual enthusiast audience.
California's Great America will close after the 2027 season
Six Flags has confirmed that California's Great America will permanently close following a final operating season in 2027. The Santa Clara park's last day is scheduled for Labor Day, 6 September 2027.
The announcement removes the remaining uncertainty around a park whose future has been in question since its land was sold to property company Prologis in 2022. Six Flags has chosen not to extend operations beyond the current arrangement.
A farewell season will give guests one final opportunity to experience a collection that includes Gold Striker, RailBlazer and Flight Deck, alongside the South Bay Shores water park. The eventual fate of individual rides has not been confirmed, but the loss of an entire major park remains one of the industry's most significant closure stories in years.
Flamingo Land's operation of Alpamare Scarborough ends
Flamingo Land has ended its involvement with Alpamare Scarborough following the expiry of its lease on 31 October. The operator had reopened the North Yorkshire water park in July 2024 after North Yorkshire Council took possession of the troubled attraction.
The council has identified a preferred bidder for Alpamare, although the proposed purchaser has not been publicly named and the sale has not yet been completed. Current plans involve improvement work, including investment in energy efficiency, before a potential reopening during the first quarter of 2027.
That leaves Alpamare in another transitional period, but the intention remains to preserve it as an operational water park. The next important step will be the exchange of contracts and confirmation of the site's new owner, refurbishment programme and reopening timetable.
What we're watching next
Attention will soon turn towards IAAPA Expo in Orlando, where ride manufacturers, water slide specialists and park operators are preparing their annual wave of announcements. With several press conferences already scheduled, the event should provide a clearer picture of the attractions pipeline for 2027 and beyond.
Closer to home, Alpamare's proposed sale remains one to watch, as does the future of the newly closed World of David Walliams site. Universal has also left nearly every technical detail of its Dark Universe coaster unrevealed, ensuring that the project will remain a major talking point as construction advances.
