The best new attractions of 2024 (2025)

When it comes to new attractions, there has been something for everyone in 2024, from theme park rides and new museums to whole themed lands and cruise ship debuts.

It’s been a treat for roller coaster fans, with the UK’s fastest and tallest coaster,Hyperia, opening at Thorpe Park, Voltron opening at Europa-Park in Germany, Penguin Trek at SeaWorld Orlando, and more. Meanwhile, Disney unveiled Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea, Universal opened Dreamworks Land in Universal, and Knott’s Berry Farm celebrated the arrival of Camp Snoopy.

Adventures were also had on the high seas and underwater, thanks to new attractions like Aquascope indoor water park at Futuroscope, Disney’s latest cruise ship, Disney Treasure, and the maiden voyage of Icon of the Seas, theworld’s largest cruise ship.

In terms of museums, perhaps one of the most anticipated and long-running projects, the Grand Egyptian Museum, finally welcomed its first visitors with a soft opening. Other new venues include La Nube Children’s Museum in Texas, the National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam, and The Nintendo Museum in Tokyo.

Read on for our list of the best new attractions of 2024, in order of opening date.

Valley of Witches at Ghibli Park

In March, Ghibli Park in Nagakute, Japan, the world’s onlyStudio Ghibli theme park, launched Valley of Witches, its fifth and final area. This takes inspiration from the studio’s anime films, such asKiki’s Delivery ServiceandHowl’s Moving Castle. It even contains a life-sizeHowl’s Moving Castle.

The new area also features the witch’s house fromEarwig and the Witch andGhibli Park‘s first amusement park-style rides, like a merry-go-round and an aerial carousel ride. Additionally,Valley of Witchesincludes the bakery home of Kiki and her black cat Jiji fromKiki’s Delivery Service. Elsewhere are the Soratobu Oven eatery, hot dog vendor the Hot Tin Roof, and a store called 13 Witches.

The other areas of the park are Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse, Dondoko Forest, Hill of Youth andMononoke Village.

This year, Ghibli Park also introduced eco-friendly electric vehicles styled after the Catbus from My Neighbor Totoro. These new Catbus vehicles utilise Toyota’s APM (Accessible People Mover) technology.

National Holocaust Museum

The new National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam was inaugurated in early March by the Dutch King Willem-Alexander. It opened its doors as the Netherlands began a year of commemorations to mark 80 years since its liberation from the Nazis.

Eight decades on from that moment — and almost two decades since plans were initiated to create the institution — it is now thefirst and only museumto tell the history of the persecution of the Jews in the entire Netherlands.

The National Holocaust Museum invites visitors to explore various galleries. It spans three floors and features 2,500 objects, including photos and films, t. These explore the daily lives of Jews just before the Second World War, then proceed to depict the persecution they faced as the Nazis rose to power, culminating in the steps that led to the eventual mass murder of 102,000 individuals.

The building that now houses the museum was previously the site of an incredible story of bravery and resistance, where staff helped 600 children escape.

Showtown

Next on our list of the best new attractions, the £13 millionShowtown museumin Blackpool, UK, opened in March 2024. It explores the history, legacy, and future of Blackpool’s rich entertainment heritage. Topics covered include the circus, magic shows, and dancing, as well as the celebrated illuminations and more.

With its six interactive, fun, and family-friendly galleries, the museum aims to attract over 200,000 visitors each year. Through job creation and tourism, it will also contribute to Blackpool’s economy.

Every exhibit stands as a tribute to the power of technical artistry and immersive storytelling, all situated within the broader framework of revitalising Blackpool’s cultural scene through lottery funding and a focus on inclusivity.

Squint/Opera,the creative studio, was chosen to create immersive exhibits for Showtown. The team’s skills were used to combine interactive graphics and characters in a new way to communicate the rich tale of Blackpool in a fun, original, and engaging way.

Nemesis Reborn

The new Nemesis Reborn coaster opened atAlton Towersin March 2024 after an 18-month transformation of the original Nemeis attraction.

Over the course of 18 months, Alton Towers replaced the coaster’s 250-tonne, 716-metre-long track. This is now covered with red veins. Nemesis Rebornfeatures new storytelling elements and a redesigned mythical beast brought to life through state-of-the-art audiovisual technology. It offers a g-force of 3.5 and top speeds of 50 mph.

The ride station has been completely updated to look like the inside of the Nemesis beast, complete with bones, flesh and illuminating veins.

Opened in 1994 asEurope‘s first inverted coaster, the original Nemesis went on to develop a devoted global fanbase. TheNemesis Reborn ride experience still includes four full inversions, corkscrews and drops. Before closing in November 2022,Nemesistravelled more than 800,000 miles and carried over 52 million riders.

Cadbury Chocolate Quest at Cadbury World

Late March also saw the opening of Cadbury Chocolate Quest at Cadbury World near Birmingham, UK. The new ride takes aspiring chocolatiers on a trip to find the ingredients needed for a Cadbury Dairy Milk bar.

The indoor trackless ride includes nine Cadbury cars, where visitors can aim lasers at the desired ingredients. At the end of the ride, they will receive a Cadbury treat. Cadbury World has incorporated 3D-themed sets, virtual screens, and sensory elements such as sounds, lights, scents, and warmth. This creates an interactive and sensory experience.

Cadbury Chocolate Quest is part of a wider £8 million investment from Merlin for Cadbury World after the companystarted operatingthe visitor attraction in January 2023. It replaces the 27-year-old Cadabra ride. Since its opening at Cadbury World, more than 14 million guests have enjoyed a tour on Cadabra.

Alterface,a leader in interactive technology,provided the new ride’s interactive elements. ETF Ride Systems,a leading ride designer and manufacturer, created the ride vehicles. 1050 Studio, creators ofmedia-based attractionsfor theme parks and public spaces around the world, did the new ride’s media.

Perth Museum

Perth Museum in Scotland, UK, opened its doorsat the end of March 2024after a £27 million redevelopment project.

At the heart of the new museum is the Stone of Destiny, also known as the Stone of Scone, one of Scotland’s most significant historical artefacts. This treasured Stone returned to Perthshire after being away for over 700 years. It is now available for free public viewing.

Alongside the Stone, the new museum showcases significant loans and exhibitions from the UK and beyond, as well as the Recognised Collections of National Significance from Perth & Kinross. Notable items include a unique Jacobite wine glass and Bonnie Prince Charlie’s sword. This is displayed to the public for the very first time.

Themuseumis housed in an Edwardian structure. It was formerly used for everything from political gatherings and wrestling fights to marketplaces and concerts. The historic site has been transformed into a major tourist attraction, featuring a shop, café, and spaces for education and events. There is also an extensive programme of temporary exhibitions.

Fire in the Hole at Silver Dollar City

March was a busy month in terms of our best new attractions for 2024. Fire in the Hole, the largest indoor family coaster in the Midwest, opened at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri.

Made by Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC), aworld-leading roller coaster manufacturer, the $30 million ride is Silver Dollar City’s largest investment in a single attraction to date. The attraction includes 14 show scenes and three thrilling drops, and concludes with a spectacular water splashdown.

Riders step into specially designed ride vehiclesinspired by 1880s fire pumper wagons to undertake a mission to save the blazing Ozark mining town – the current site of Silver Dollar City – from the notorious vigilantes known as the Baldknobbers.

The new coaster replaced theoriginal Fire in the Hole. This 51-year-old coaster closed in December 2023 after welcoming more than 25 million riders. Fire in the Hole is part of the new Fire District area, which has doubled in size with the new attraction.

Voltron Nevera at Europa-Park

Europa-Park opened its newVoltron Neveraattraction, the longest multi-launch coaster in Europe, in April 2024. The 1,385 metre-long Voltron Nevera is powered by Rimac and was built by Mack Rides.

Nestled within Europa-Park’s new Croatia-themed area, the park’s 14throller coaster boasts seven inversions and four launches. This includes a 105-degree launch—the steepest in the world. Riders will also enjoy multiple LSM launch tracks that reach speeds of 55.9 mph, a peak height of 106.6 feet, and a distinctive turntable feature.

Throughout the ride, guests will dive into the electricity experiments of inventor and engineer Nikola Tesla.

The new Croatia-themed land also features the ‘Suveniri Nikola’ store and the ‘Sunce i Lavanda’ ice cream parlour, which includes an animatronic Nikola Tesla. Furthermore, in the France-themed section of Europa-Park, visitors can enjoy the Magic Cinema 4D. This showcases theVoltron 4Dfilm, complete with special effects, immersive projections, and sensory experiences.

The Messi Experience: A Dream Come True

The Messi Experience: A Dream Come True, a newinteractive fan attraction inspired by Argentine professional footballerLionel Messi, opened in Miami in April 2024. It is by Primo Entertainment and Moment Factory, themultimedia entertainment studiospecialising in the conception and production of immersive environments.

Visitors will embark on a journey exploring the life of the iconic footballer. The experience aims to create an engaging and emotional connection between fans and Messi. There are interactive activities, including a dialogue with Messi facilitated by cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI). It includes ten physical and digital experiences, beginning in Messi’s hometown of Rosario, Argentina.

After its debut in Miami, the experience embarked on a worldwide tour with stops including Los Angeles, Buenos Aires, and Mexico City.

Tír Na nÓg at Emerald Park

In May 2024, Ireland’s Emerald Park opened its €22 millionTír Na nÓg land, with new attractions including Europe’s longest intertwining family and thrill coasters. Emerald Park’s first fully themed and immersive land, billed as a world-class destination, features the ‘Na Fianna Force’and‘The Quest’ coasters. Both were made by Vekoma Rides,the Dutch roller coaster specialist.

Tír Na nÓg is set on a 6.5-acre site. It also features the ‘Celtic Dreamer’ ride, a Zierer Wave Swinger, alongside new dining and retail options.

The facility boasts over 30 swords, 70 shields, 120 arrows, 70 spears, and 15 bows. All were meticulously crafted by An Gobha, a blacksmith from the Boyne Valley. In addition, over 500 mature native Irish trees and 50,000 plants will be planted throughout the site to establish a wild, natural landscape. The mythical-themed towers and buildings were constructed using more than 400 tonnes of shotcrete and 2,400 tonnes of concrete.

Jora Vision,a leading design and production company,worked on thetheming strategyfor the Tír na nÓg project.

Hyperia at Thorpe Park

One of the best attractions of this year, Hyperia, the UK’s fastest and tallest coaster, opened atThorpe Parkin Surrey in May 2024. It achieves a maximum height of 236 feet and speeds exceeding 80 mph. This coaster has overtaken Thorpe Park’s Stealth as the fastest in the UK. It claims the title of the tallest coaster from Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s The Big One.

Hyperia is afamily-friendly coaster from Mack Rides. It requires a minimum height of only 1.3 metres. It is equipped with lap bar restraints, which enhance the sensation of weightlessness for riders. Thorpe Park’s eighth coaster, it joins other coasters like Swarm, Colossus, Saw – The Ride, and Nemesis Inferno.

Thenew ridewas shut just one day after opening and reopened in June 2024.

SAGA City of Light

The eagerly awaited SAGA City of Light experience opened in May in Shanghai, China. This groundbreaking projectisPuy du Fou’sfirst entry into the Chinese market.

The SAGA City of Light immersive showfeatures seven dynamic platforms designed and built by Triotech,an award-winning creator of media-based attractions. The platforms emulate life-size trains and othervehicles, transporting guestsback to the 1930s toexplore historical Shanghai. Covering an expansive 40,000 square metres with 26 possible routes, the experience takes visitors onan unforgettable two-hour journey through time.

teamLab Borderless Jeddah

In June, the Middle East’s first teamLab Borderless museum opened in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Located in the city’s historic district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site,teamLab Borderlessis a collaborative initiative with the Saudi Ministry of Culture. The 10,000-square-metre space is filled with artworks without boundaries.

It is home toAthletics Forest, an innovative athletics area founded on perceiving the environment in three dimensions, viewed through the lens of the body. Visitorscompletely immerse themselves in the interactive realm’s three-dimensional setting.

Highlights includeRapidly Rotating Bouncing Sphere, a space of spheres people can jump on. The spheres rotate at high speed, but when visitors approach, they stop and become easier to step on. Visitors can also enjoy theMulti Jumping Universe. This is a flexible surface where multiple people can jump simultaneously and sink or jump higher than usual.

At the same time, the educational initiative Future Park focuses on co-creation. In this space, guests can collaboratively shape the world with others, continuously crafting ever-evolving art. For instance, inConnecting! Block Town, guests can make a city where trains, cars, and various vehicles run by placing connecting blocks on the table. Or, inSketch Ocean, they can colour fish, which come to life and swim in the ocean around them.

Fantasy Springs at TokyoDisney Sea

Fantasy Springs,Tokyo DisneySea‘s new themed port, opened itsTangled,Peter Pan and Frozen experiencesto visitors in June 2024. Inspired by magical springs leading to a Disney fantasy world,Fantasy Springsfeatures three worlds – Frozen Kingdom, Rapunzel’s Forest, and Peter Pan’s Never Land, as well as the Fantasy Springs Hotel.

Fantasy Springs was launched following approximately five years of construction, beginning in May 2019. This $2.2 billion area represents the largest development in Tokyo DisneySea’s history. The new port features attractions such as Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey, Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival [pictured, top],Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure, and Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies.

Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey is a boat ride for families that showcases songs from the movie, including ‘Do You Want to Build a Snowman?’, ‘For the First Time in Forever’, ‘Love Is an Open Door’, and ‘Let It Go’. Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival features a gondola ride, and Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure offers a 3D experience. Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies introduces a new dark ride.

The F&B locations consist of the Royal Banquet of Arendelle, the Snuggly Duckling, Lookout Cookout, and Oaken’s OK Foods. Additionally, merchandise is available at Fantasy Springs Gifts inside the Fantasy Springs Hotel or at the Springs Treasures kiosk outside thenew port.

DreamWorks Land atUniversal Studios Florida

Also in June, DreamWorks Land atUniversal Studios Florida opened to visitors. It’s home to areas inspired byShrek,TrollsandKung Fu Panda. There are new rides and attractions for 2024, as well as character meet and greets, interactive play areas, and a live show.

In theShrek-themed area, guests can wander through the ogre’s swamp and enjoy ‘Shrekzels’ from ‘Swamp Snacks’. They can also meet Shrek, Princess Fiona, and Donkey. Additionally, there is a Puss in Boots 2: The Last Wish experience and an interactive attraction named ‘King Harold’s Swamp Symphony’.

In theTrollsarea, there’s a new play space called ‘Poppy’s Playground’, a retail outlet named ‘High Five Hideaway’ that offers DreamWorks merchandise, and an attraction referred to as the ‘Trollercoaster’. As forKung Fu Pandaofferings, ‘Po Kung Fu Training Camp’ is a play area based on the Panda Village, and ‘Po Live!’ is adigital experience.

DreamWorks Land also includes a multi-sensory performance at the new DreamWorks Theater, titled ‘Imagination Celebration.’ This show blends pop music, choreography, and cutting-edge technology.

Cosm Los Angeles

Cosm,a global technology companythat builds end-to-end solutions for immersive experiences, opened its first venue in June.

The experiential venue is located in Hollywood Park and covers 65,000 square feet. It features an 87-foot diameter 8K+ LED dome which transforms live sports and entertainment.

The company’s Shared Reality experience presents live sports, entertainment, music, immersive art, and other events with a completely new approach. This featurescutting-edge architecture and visuals that combine the crowd’s excitement with enhanced food and beverage service. Fans will enjoy thefeeling of being inthe greatest seat in the house at the most coveted global events.

This year, Cosm Los Angeles has hosted live productions of the 2024 NBA Finals and the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals. It has also offered exclusiveimmersive exhibitionsfrom internationally recognised creators and artists in the Cosm Studios Creator Program.

Camp Snoopy at Knott’s Berry Farm

Opened at the end of June 2024, the new Camp Snoopy land at Knott’s Berry Farm features four new attractions,including a new family-friendly coaster, a giant swing, and new character experiences.

Guests ascend a lift hill on Snoopy’s Tenderpaw Twister Coaster before experiencing a “pint-sized launch”. Meanwhile, Sally’s Swing Alongis a new experience where campers can swing and sing along, gliding 10 feet into the sky.

Rocky Mountain Trucking Company is now Camp Snoopy’s Off-Road Rally, inviting drivers to race around an expanded track inPeanuts-themed jeeps. The redesigned Beagle Express offers guests a locomotive ride.

Snoopy’s Tenderpaw Twister Coaster, Sally’s Swing Along, and Camp Snoopy’s Off-Road Rally are by Zamperla,a leading ride manufacturer.

Camp Snoopy features theGrizzly Creek Lodge food and beverage outlet and the revamped Snoopy’s Camp Store. Additionally, the previous theatre area is now a spacious green area called Beagle Scout Acres.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disney World and Disneyland

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opened at Walt Disney World in Florida in June and at Disneyland in California in November. This ride celebrated Disney’sThe Princess and the Frog. Taking place a year after the movie, the attraction features Tiana and Naveen uniting their community for a Mardi Gras celebration. Guests accompany Tiana and Louis as they seek band members to perform at the event.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure showcases numerous audio-animatronic figures, a fresh soundtrack featuring music from the film alongside new compositions, and an exciting 50-foot drop. Theride experience starts with an engaging queue filled with jazz music composed byTerence Blanchard. One of the tracks features vocals by Leah Chase, a New Orleans-based chef who inspired the Tiana character.

During the ride, guests will see incredible scenery and 48 innovativeaudio-animatronicfigures of characters from the film, as well as 19 new musical critters.

Several stars fromThe Princess and the Froghave reprised their roles for the new attraction. This includesAnikaNoni Roseas Princess Tiana,Jenifer Lewisas Mama Odie, andMichael-Leon Wooleyas Louis.

The Adventure Play at Windsor Great Park

Creating Adventurous Places (CAP.Co),the adventure play specialist,won a Thea Award for The Adventure Play at Windsor Great Park, which is part of the UK’s Windsor Estate. The new attraction opened in July 2023 and is located next to The Savill Garden.

Visitors can explore two acres of play with hand-crafted walkways, slides, sculptures, and treehouses, all interconnected and winding through the established woodlands of Windsor Great Park.

The Adventure Play at Windsor Great Park has two key areas. The Woodland was created for older children (and adults), while the Courtyard is tailored for younger visitors.

The Courtyard invites families to play, learn, and explore together. It serves as a gateway to the woods and treetop walks, designed as a miniature world amid native flora and fauna. The play area features interconnected zones with various playhouses, walkways of different heights, and soft landscaping.

The Woodland, nestled in the beautiful mixed woods to the north, is for older or adventurous kids and adults. Treehouses connect via play structures and pathways, soaring highinto the trees.

The brief included creating play areas for visitors with mobility issues to engage with others. An accessible ramp provides initial access from the entrance, ensuring fully accessible play. CAP.Co designed a Companion slide on the Woodland edge for wheelchair users and their companions. An accessible trail allows visitors to travel high in the tree canopy, featuring a wheelchair rope bridge, large hammock nets, and sensory elements alongside the local flora and fauna.

Aquascope at Futuroscope

Frenchtheme parkFuturoscope opened its new €57 million Aquascope water park in July. This unique concept offers an immersive aquatic experience. The water park, which spans over 7,000 square meters, features three indoor zones, 13 waterslides, and an outdoor section.

‘Les Abysses de Lumière’ offers an immersive experience enhanced by projection mapping, lighting, and choreographed water elements. A separate area caters to thrill-seekers with eight waterslides. Meanwhile, ‘La Faille de Kraki’ presents a vibrant aquatic world for children, featuring five waterslides and interactive games.

In the 4,500-square-metre outdoor space, visitors can relax in a lazy river, swim in a pool, or lounge on a beach. These amenities are available only during the summer months.

Aquascopeis Futuroscope’s largest investment since opening in 1987 and its second indoor water park.

Universal Rocks, an expert inplanning, building and developing themed areasto reproduce the beauty of nature, participated in the construction of Aquascope, building the rock scenery of La Faille de Kraki, Les Abysses de Lumière, and the shower room. Moment Factory also worked on the park’s immersive area.

La Nube Children’s Museum

A newchildren’s museumand science centre in El Paso, Texas, La Nube, opened to the public in August.

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La Nube, which means ‘the cloud’ in Spanish, is the first purpose-builtchildren’s museumin El Paso. The name refers to the four-storey, cloud-shaped building. Across 70,000 square feet, guests will enjoy immersive exhibits and hands-on learning experiences that focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM).

La Nube is a hybrid museum and science centre where children—and, in fact, people of all ages—can use their imaginations to embark on new learning adventures and explore hands-on activities, including sensory sandboxes and giant synthesisers. A 50-foot-tall climber connects four floors of educational exhibits.

Birds of the World at Houston Zoo

In August, Houston Zoo welcomed guests to its newBirds of the Worldexhibit. This is the final animal addition to its transformativeKeeping Our World WildCentennial Capital campaign. The new exhibit encourages visitors to discover the remarkable variety and splendour of bird species worldwide, highlighting the Zoo’s continued dedication to conservation and education.

Birds of the World has three spacious aviaries, each designed to replicate distinct global ecosystems. The African Savanna showcases the majesticgrey crowned cranes. It also emphasises the Zoo’s conservation partnership with Dr Olivier Nsengimana of the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association to save these endangered birds.

Meanwhile, the North American Woodlands hosts various songbirds, such as blue grosbeaks and indigo buntings. This exhibit connects visitors to the beautiful birds in their backyards. The Houston Zoo, in partnership with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, protects these songbirds from the illegal wild bird trade.

Finally, the South American Wetlands offers an immersive experience for guests to walk among South American birds, like Chilean flamingos. The zoo also servesbird-friendly coffee, supporting healthy habitats for these birds.

Complementing these experiences is the new Avian Conservation Environment (ACE) building. This modern facility offers updated spaces for bird care professionals. This includes breeding programs for critically endangered species like the blue-billed curassow and Saint Vincent parrot. The ACE building highlights the Houston Zoo’s leadership in bird conservation.

The ACE building received LEED Gold from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The People’s House: A White House Experience

The White House Historical Association opened a new White Houseimmersive experiencein September in Washington, DC.

The $56 millionvisitor attraction, named ‘the People’s House: A White House Experience’, offers an interactive and educational journey through one of the world’s most significant institutions. Situated just a block from the White House, this 33,000-square-foot facility spans three floors. It includes exhibits and galleries that vividly illustrate the building’s history.

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Visitors can explore a lifelike replica of the Oval Office and navigate the State Floor rooms via immersive 360-degree projections. They can stroll through a replica of the Rose Garden and engage with framed digital portraits of White House personnel. The People’s House also features a 1,500-square-foot flagship retail store and an educational wing tailored for students and various groups.

The People’s House is located in a building renovated by Gensler, with exhibits from Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA),a multidisciplinary firmspecialising in the planning and design of museums, exhibits, educational environments and visitor attractions. Cortina Productions worked on the media design and production.

Nintendo Museum

Japanese video game companyNintendo opened its first museum in a repurposed factory building in Kyoto this autumn. The museumshowcases Nintendo’s history through interactive exhibits. In one area, guests can play Super Mario and Donkey Kong video games on a giant console. In another, they can create their own Hanafuda playing cards.

The exhibition features early Nintendo gaming consoles, such as the Famicom and SNES. Additionally, it showcases products predating their video game production, including board games, a baby stroller, and a copy machine.

Exhibits include a look at how the Question Block has changed over time. Another explores the evolution of graphics for series likeThe Legend of Zeldaon different gaming systems.

TheNintendo Museumis also home to a cafe and a shop selling exclusive merchandise.

Grand Egyptian Museum

One of the most delayed projects on our list of the best new attractions this year, theGrand Egyptian Museum in Giza soft opened to the public in October 2024. The trial opening included the main hall and other areas.

The launch comes 11 years later than the original proposed opening date due to logistical, political and financial delays. The Grand Egyptian Museum isthe largestin the world dedicated to a single civilisation. It houses a collection of more than 100,000 artefacts across 3,000 years of ancient Egyptian history.

Highlights include the Tutankhamun collection. This will relocate from the Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square in central Cairo to its own exhibition space, showcasing all 5,600 objects retrieved from the pharaoh’s tomb.

John K Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History

The new John K Randle Centre in Lagos, Nigeria, opened in October 2024. It features multiple facilities and attractions, including a world-class exhibition of Yoruba Culture.Artists, authors, craftspeople, historians, and storytellers have collaborated to bring the rich Yoruba culture into the new venue.

The John K. Randle Centre represents a fresh approach to museums. It integrates Western Museum techniques to showcase innovative storytelling rooted in ongoing (or Yoruba) traditions. The centre emphasises both tangible and intangible culture. It aims to preserve, enhance, and promote the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people.

The John K. Randle Centre is playing a leading role in bringing Yoruba artefacts from European institutions, in partnership with the British Museum and the Pitt-Rivers Museum in the UK.

RAA provided exhibition design and monitoring, website design and production, artwork, and media design and production. The work started from January 2016 to November 2018. The project went on hold because funding was pulled and restarted with exhibition and website design from June 2020 until 2024.

Odyssey Malta

A new suite of attractions in the recently constructed Mercury Towers in St Julians, Malta, soft-opened in October 2024, offering visitors an engaging experience that explores the country’s history and heritage. It blends entertainment with education, including a dark walk attraction, an interactive exhibition, and a flying theatre ride named Odyssey Malta.

The result of a multi-million-pound investment, the attraction starts with a multi-show dark walk experience exploring the country’s heritage. This is followed by a captivating multi-projector display that celebrates contemporary Malta and then the flying theatre. Filming occurred across the Maltese islands, featuring aerial shots and reenactments in ultra-high definition 8K. Visitors enjoy engaging storytelling and immersive special effects for an experience that is both educational and entertaining.

The project team included Endurescreens, a specialist indesigning, manufacturing and installing world-class projection screens; project: syntropy,creator of technology and display solutions for dome cinemas and immersive attractions; Sarner International, an experiential design and production expert; and Simtec Systems,a leader in motion simulation, ensuring seamless collaboration to realise this ambitious vision.

Danse Macabre at Efteling

Efteling, the fairytale theme park in the Netherlands, opened its new Danse Macabre dark ride just in time forHalloween. Located in the same spot as the park’s previous Spookslot haunted house, it opened to its first riders on October 31.

Described as a ghostly spectacle featuring dark twists,Danse Macabreis set to the symphonic poem of the same name byFrench composerCamille Saint-Saëns. It features aunique ride systemby Intamin, acreator of record-breaking amusement rides. The Danse Macabre ride system, also known as Dynamic Motion Stage, has a capacity of 108 persons. It has six specially designed church stall cabins that can accommodate 18 visitors each.

The ride system includes an unlimited individual cabin rotation with a maximum tilt of25 degreeson the 18-metre-wide main platform and an endless rotation of the main platform itself. The hydraulic system enables platform movements of up to 3 metres in height, with heave speeds of up to 1.5 m/s and drop speeds of up to 3 m/sec.

This overlay of movements creates entirely new opportunities, facilitating storytelling on various levels.

Danse Macabre is located in a new themed area called the Huyverwoud forest. This is also home to retail and dining, including aspooky F&B locationwhere guests can buy “blood juice”.

Radio Tave by Meow Wolf

Another new attraction that made its debut at Halloween 2024 was Meow Wolf’s latest venue, Radio Tave, in Houston, Texas. Located in the city’s historic Fifth Ward, it introduces guests to a surreal world where a radio station has been transported to another dimension. They can explore an expansive maze of interconnected rooms, uncovering hidden stories along the way.

Radio Tave features a cavernous grotto filled with living instruments, a surreal dive bar in the afterlife named Cowboix Hevvven, the ETNL radio station, and the labyrinthine Obsidiodyssey installation. More than 100 artists contributed to its creation, with half hailing from Texas. This project combines Houston’s creative spirit with Meow Wolf’s innovative storytelling, resulting in a one-of-a-kind audiovisual experience.

Radio Tave is Meow Wolf’s most sound-driven location to date. The art group collaborated with Houston music icon Fat Tony and local musicians whose songs are showcased in the jukebox and other areas.

International Centre for Zoo Science at Chester Zoo

Chester Zooin Cheshire, UK, has opened a new science centre to fight the global extinction crisis as it triples the size of its previous lab facilities. Thiswill enable it to greatly enhance its scientific capacity, especially in terms of conservation efforts.

With support from Urenco, an energy company based in Cheshire, the facility showcases advanced technology for assessing the health of various animals, including Komodo dragons and rhinos. It also contains a demonstration lab designed to train future conservationists. Plus, there is a specialised cryo-conservation unit for preserving the genetics of endangered species in liquid nitrogen.

Furthermore, the centre houses Europe’s largest wildlife endocrinology laboratory. This enables scientists to analyse and monitor hormone levels in animals to gain insights into their reproductive biology.

Home to 37,000 animals from over 500 species, Chester Zoo is actively working to address the extinction crisis. It currently manages more than 200 research projects and has produced over 2,000 scientific publications.

Body Odyssey at The Franklin Institute

The Franklin Institute opened its new Body Odysseyexhibit in November 2024 as part of its bicentennial celebration.

The $8.5 millionBody Odyssey exhibition showcases the Giant Heart as its central feature, providing an immersive 8,500-square-foot experience exploring human complexity and well-being. Using sensory technology, visitors can synchronise their heartbeats with the Giant Heart. This creates a dynamic display of light and sound that reflects human rhythm.

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Guests will explore the human body through interactive environments, advanced technology, and full-body simulations. They will learn about the connection between mental and physical health and see the latest in medical and sports technology. Experiences include a full-body avatar for visualising body system harmony. There is also a multiplayer game featuring white blood cells versus viruses.

Body Odyssey showcases medical and sports technologies through hands-on experiences, such as operating a prosthetic hand, robotic surgery simulations, and AI-driven diagnostic tools. It explores holistic wellness through art therapy, sleep health, and mindfulness in a dynamic gallery that alters its ambience based on visitors’ emotional energy.

Body Odyssey follows the award-winningWondrous Spaceexhibit as the latest in a series of innovative exhibits redefining The Franklin Institute experience. It was brought to life by the award-winning experiential design firmMDSX, with input from local workshops, civic, education, and business leaders, and expert advisors.

Great Wolf Lodge South Florida

Great Wolf Lodge opened its first resort in Florida in November. It is home to an indoorwater park, adventure park and more entertainment offerings.

The new $250 million Great Wolf Lodge in Naples offers a “next generation” resort experience. It includes 500 rooms, a 92,000-square-foot indoor water park, a 61,000-square-foot adventure park, and various retail and dining options.

Key features of the water park are body slides, tube slides, raft rides, activity pools, and splash zones. There is also a new Rapid Racer tube slide with awater coasterelement, plus the Breakaway Bay raft adventure. This experience is exclusive to the Naples resort.

At the Great Wolf Adventure Park, visitors can experience a multi-tiered ropes course that includes azip line, alongside the newest iteration of the MagiQuest game. This exclusive game from Great Wolf allows players to wield interactive magic wands to fight goblins and dragons.

The park’s ‘Howl in One’ miniature golf course takes inspiration from The Great Wolf Pack, Great Wolf Resorts’ first animated film. Visitors are also invited to the resort’s lobby each evening for a captivating multi-sensory storytellingexperience. The lobby magically transforms through projection technology and special effects during the’ Legend of Luna’ show.

Great Wolf Resorts manages the largest collection of indoor water park resorts in North America. The Great Wolf Lodge in Naples marks the company’s 22nd property.

Donkey Kong Country at Universal Studios Japan

One of the last to open on our list of the best new attractions for 2024, Donkey Kong Country atUniversal Studios Japan, opened to guests on 11 December. It is within the park’s Super Nintendo World land.

TheDonkey Kong-themed areais inspired by the classic arcade game launched by Nintendo in 1981. Standout features include the innovative Mine Cart Madness coaster, housed in the Golden Temple. This coaster features a never-before-seen ride system and a distinctive design.

include Funky’s Fly ‘n’Buy and Jungle Beat Shakes. Funky’s Fly ‘n’ Buy takes inspiration from Funky Kong’s store from the Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freezevideo game. Meanwhile, Jungle Beat Shakes is a quick-service food outlet offering sundaes and shakes.

Universal Studios Japan launched the world’s firstSuper Nintendo Worldin 2021. Universal Studios Hollywood followed with its own version in 2023. Next year, Super Nintendo World (complete with a Donkey Kong area) will open as part ofEpic Universe, the fourth theme park at Universal Orlando Resort.

Disney Treasure

The Disney Treasure,Disney Cruise Line‘s new ship, sailed into Port Canaveral in Florida for the first time in November before welcoming its inaugural passengers in December. The Treasure’s christening ceremony took place in New York City on 19 November. Its maiden voyage is set for 21 December.

Guests can enjoy new attractions and reimagined experiences themed to films such as Aladdin, Coco and Zootopia. It is also home to the first-ever Haunted Mansion-themed bar onboard. The themed F&B experience will celebrate over fifty years of the classic Disneyland attraction, the Haunted Mansion, and introduce the world to the saga’s next chapter.

The Disney Treasure is part of a huge Disney Cruise Line fleet expansion. This includes the Disney Destiny, the Disney Adventure, anew shipto sail from Japan, andfour additional vessels.