DC Comics at Theme Parks Has Had a Weird Historical past however ‘Superman’ Might Change That

There’s nostalgia for the Batman film period at Six Flags as we head towards a brand new DC Studios era with Superman, On a current invited go to to Magic Mountain to take a look at DC Heroes and Villains Fest, I discovered myself reminiscing fondly concerning the stunt exhibits from the ’90s.

Each Batman Without end and Batman & Robin have been attracts as WB movie-inspired points of interest for folk who didn’t wish to solely do curler coasters. Essentially the most vivid reminiscence I’ve is Batman swinging into motion and driving within the Batmobile for the explosive, stunt-heavy Magic Mountain model of the present. The Caped Crusader teamed up with Robin and Batgirl in opposition to Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy for tremendous abridged variations of the movie’s plot in opposition to completely dilapidated Gotham units.

At Astroworld in Texas, an early model of the present happened in a water enviornment the place the long-lasting DC duo took on the Riddler and Two-Face in a high-octane present with jet skis and a helicopter.

For some time, DC Leisure appeared invested in being a worthy competitor to the out of doors staged experiences introduced at Common Studios Hollywood and even The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Walt Disney World. However then, an increasing number of, all of the coaster-centric parks started to solely license DC iconography to slide on metal coasters, together with Batman: The Trip, Riddler’s Revenge, and Superman: The Trip.

With little to no effort on theming, funding in locations the place you possibly can immerse your self on this planet of those characters was nowhere to be discovered for years. Certain, there could be some slight makes an attempt, like a meet and greet right here or there timed to experience openings, however gone was the worth positioned in thematic storytelling to attract repeat visits. Solely the reminiscences and the Batmobile from the long-gone stunt exhibits stay for photograph ops.

Throughout Christopher Nolan’s Batman period, the factor that the majority reinvigorated DC and Warner Bros.’ curiosity in participatory leisure was an ARG advertising and marketing marketing campaign. The extent of immersion with Animal Repair Shop’s The Dark Knight: Why So Serious? experience made the world a theme park. Followers who needed to be taught extra concerning the second Nolan movie have been capable of take part in flash Joker Mobs at locations like San Diego Comedian-Con or observe clues in different main cities to buying facilities or school campuses to gather artifacts from the yet-to-be-released movie. Even within the digital world, the web panorama was modified as Batman followers unlocked the primary take a look at Heath Ledger’s Joker. It was a recreation changer and one which no less than some main theme parks sought to deliver into their choices, besides seemingly Six Flags.

In 2010 issues modified in theme parks when Common Studios opened the primary main themed land based mostly on a movie franchise with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The irony being, in fact, that Warner Bros. partnered with a competing theme park for this—all whereas having DC Comics simply be stickers to slap on any given coaster. Wizarding World lit a hearth that may go on to encourage the panorama to evolve rapidly from simply having points of interest or exhibits touting a serious IP. Now, the blueprint was set to make entire areas that take you into the world of your favourite fandom, paving the way in which for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Avengers Campus at Disney Parks and, most lately, Common’s personal Epic Universe.

Warner Bros. has had a world arm that’s put acquainted properties in numerous theme parks around the globe, notably in Spain and Australia with Warner Bros. Film World parks. These have been primarily authentic regional parks in main metropolitan cities that partnered with WB to rebrand into Film World Parks. They fairly often get higher manufacturing worth for his or her properties with DC Comics, The Wizard of Oz, and The Looney Tunes at their amusement parks, whereas we get paint refreshes on present coasters.

Earlier than you surmise that “Wow, DC followers actually acquired the brief finish right here,” you could be stunned to be taught that there’s a totally realized DC Universe land: Warner Bros. World on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

The primary from-the-ground-up WB theme park, it opened in 2018 and predates Galaxy’s Edge with a number of themed lands designed by the Thinkwell Group, a hub of park and immersive designers. Right here you’ll discover Gotham and Metropolis as two separate areas with points of interest impressed by the worlds of Batman and Superman. There are meet and greets with a number of characters all through, from heroes to villains; even the Looney Tunes get totally decked out in DC Comics gear too. The advertisements for this park are all the time making us really feel like we’re actually lacking out. Essentially the most we acquired round that point of its opening was a single darkish experience within the type of Six Flags’ Justice League: Battle for Metropolis.

Which brings us to the DCEU section, during which Six Flags acquired some costume redesigns impressed by the New 52 on choose DC characters with restricted engagements on appearances all through the nation. The Warner Bros. Studios tour in Burbank expanded to characteristic interactive shows with costumes from the Snyderverse movies and tour set stops.

My favourite expertise of this period was when the studio determined to attempt its hand at internet hosting its personal Halloween after-dark ticketed occasion. With Horror Made Right here, scary walk-throughs based mostly on franchises like The Conjuring and Friday the thirteenth have been joined by an Arkham Asylum maze the place the Joker and Harley turned friends into inmates. It was scary and delightfully demented with components of immersive storytelling and escape room antics. Alas, Horror Made Right here was solely round for one 12 months; yearly we hope it comes again. Because the DCEU neared its finish, a brand new Surprise Lady coaster opened at Six Flags Magic Mountain with little fanfare. By that time, followers’ relationship with the model had maybe been pulled in too many instructions.

As we enter DC Studios’ subsequent chapter with the discharge of James Gunn’s Superman, its heroes and villains are being scattered all through numerous summer season choices. Essentially the most exciting-sounding one is being run in collaboration with the Gaylord Hotels, which is transforming a number of its resorts with a “DC Summer” theme for the 2025 season. The choices embody superhero coaching with the Justice League, meet and greets, nighttime spectaculars, themed meals like a Harley and Joker buffet, a Riddler-themed immersive scavenger hunt, and a secret villains bar at choose areas. There’s even an expansive comic-book-come-to-life illuminated walk-through expertise: Universe of Gentle on the Gaylord Texan, with heroic and splash-page-themed artwork installations for the entire household to take pleasure in.

In the meantime, as Six Flags undergoes its present section of latest possession by way of Cedar Honest, there’s been a resurgence of the characters at choose areas, together with Magic Mountain in California. For the summer season, the West Coast park has “DC Heroes and Villains Fest,” that includes a small parade cavalcade of characters from DC Comics and a cluster of themed meals cubicles. With a brand new stage present that’s extra of a dance social gathering than a stunt spectacular on the extent of what was there within the ’90s. There are some indicators of progress with seeing how youngsters excitedly react to seeing Superman and his tremendous pals tackle Lex Luthor and the Joker which makes it no less than definitely worth the whereas. However on the entire, it’s only a entire bunch of coaster-centric actions that aren’t as accessible as different locations.

It nonetheless simply looks like a missed alternative to start out anew alongside DC Studios. The costumes nonetheless harken to the New 52, aiming to drag in followers with the recognizable iconography alone. On a current go to to Six Flags Magic Mountain, we discovered the meals was good however undoubtedly nonetheless felt missing in regard to theming, although that simply could be as a result of there have been solely three cubicles with a couple of choices. Total, it isn’t too completely different from a number of the current issues Six Flags has been doing anyway for the summer season season across the nation. It’s simply too in all places to really feel part of what’s subsequent.

The hassle on the parks has room to evolve as Superman arrives. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour feels extra linked to what’s to return: the DC space of the walkthrough for the tour features a celebration of previous initiatives whereas shifting focus to the now. There are costumes from Matt Reeves’ The Batman on show proper out of the Batcave, which feels and sounds prefer it with unimaginable screens that transport you there with a contact of that Nolan really feel. And James Gunn’s mark is beginning to take maintain; you exit with a Every day Planet desk illuminating the brand new tone of the DC Studios period. The costumes for Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, and the Superman swimsuit fill the place with pleasure in opposition to a Fortress of Solitude show.

Even the WB retailer, which is a contemporary model of those from the mall within the ’90s, acquired redone with Metropolis set items to admire when you store, full with a Krypto the canine plush fountain. Someway that evoked extra theme park vibes than anything we’ve skilled to this point on this planet of DC comics this 12 months. Whereas we see locations like WB World Abu Dhabi soar, we hope that stateside we get extra invested in incorporating all the things this huge fandom is lacking out on. With the arrival of extra DC Studios right here, let’s hope their worlds immerse ours and we will go up, up, and away too.

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