The park will remain focused on younger families, especially with children under 12 years old, but will also create new experiences that appeal to all ages.
The Group has said that the new attractions will be revealed in due course.
James Mellors, managing director of Mellors Group, said: “Lightwater Valley is a park with real heart, history, personality, and potential, and it’s a place our own family has loved since childhood.
“Our goal is simple: to put the park back ‘on the map’ as a major theme park, by introducing new rides, injecting new energy, and creating something truly special for families for many years to come.”
He added: “We’re very excited about this acquisition and looking forward to planning a wide range of new attractions for 2026; fresh, fun, and full of excitement.
“While Lightwater Valley will continue to be a haven for younger families, we’re also widening the experience so that guests of all ages can enjoy the thrills, charm, and adventure together.
“The team here have done a brilliant job, and we’re looking forward to working closely with them as we begin this new journey.”
The Mellors Group bought the park after it was put up for sale in October for £3million.
The theme park first opened back in 1969 and today is home to more than 35 rides and attractions.
AS 2025 comes to a close, it’s time to look ahead to what’s up and coming this year.
Theme park fans have a lot to look forward to, as much-loved attractions are getting revamps, and brand new theme parks are entering the scene.
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Chessington World of Adventures will be opening a PAW Patrol-themed landCredit: Unknown
From the highly-anticipated opening of Disneyland Paris‘ World of Frozen, to the launch of PokéPark Kanto – here’s our top picks for the most exciting theme park lands set to open in 2026.
PAW Patrol-themed land, Chessington World of Adventures
Chessington World of Adventures will soon become home to the UK’s first and only PAW Patrol-themed land.
‘Project Play’ was announced in April 2025, as construction began to build the new land in place of the Scorpion Express coaster.
The immersive land will be inspired by the show’s Adventure Bay, fit with themed decorations and rides.
The land will be home to four rides in total, including the brand new ‘my first rollercoaster’.
Whilst waiting for rides, Chessington also offers young fans interactive meet and greets where they can grab a photo with Chase, Skye and Rubble.
The theme park even has its own PAW Patrol-themed hotel rooms, which sleep a family of up to 5 and come complete with a Pup Pass for priority meet and greet access.
The show is incredibly popular amongst young children, with Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach Resort offering an entire PAW Patrol themed month in June.
The PAW Patrol-themed land is set to open in Spring 2026.
World of Frozen and Disney Adventure World, Disneyland Paris, France
Disneyland Paris will see some major changes in spring of 2026 – and it’s good news for fans of Disney’s Frozen.
Five brand new theme park lands opening in 2026 – from real life Pokémon to UK’s only PAW Patrol LandCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
‘World of Frozen‘ has been in construction since 2022, and is set to open on 29 March 2026.
Glimpses inside the new world show majestic castles, palaces, and Scandinavian buildings that look just like Arendelle.
Two major attractions in the themed land are Arendelle Castle, as well as Elsa’s ice palace which sits high atop North Mountain, overlooking the entire area.
Frozen fans will be able to attend a special royal meet and greet with Anna and Elsa, as well as a show called ‘Frozen: A Musical Invitation’.
And if you get hungry, visitors can stop for a bite to eat at the new Nordic Crowns Tavern.
World of Frozen will also be home to the Frozen Ever After Ride – a fan favourite ride from Florida’s EPCOT, but designed with extra details just for Paris.
World of Frozen recreates the fictional world of ArendelleCredit: DisneyDisney Adventure World has many immersive zones, including Marvel Avengers CampusCredit: Disneyland Paris
The ride takes visitors on a slow and scenic boat ride through familiar scenes from Disney’s Frozen, complete with singalong music and audio-animatronics.
But the addition of World of Frozen isn’t the only new change at Disneyland Paris.
The area previously known as Walt Disney Studios Park has had a makeover to become Disney Adventure World.
Disney Adventure World is home to multiple immersive areas inspired by Disney, Marvel and Pixar’s most popular movies.
The renamed world contains a Marvel Avengers Campus where superhero fans can take part in the Spider-Man W.E.B Adventure, a family friendly immersive experience.
Guests can also visit the Worlds of Pixar area, where you can ride Crush’s Coaster inspired by Finding Nemoor hop on the Cars ROAD TRIP ride.
And for fans of Disney classic The Lion King, construction is now underway for a new themed area: The Pride Lands.
Both World of Frozen and Disney Adventure World will be open at Disneyland Paris from 29 March 2026.
The Frozen Ever After boat ride is complete with realistic animatronicsCredit: GettyA new ride, Raiponce Tangled Spin, will open inside Disney Adventure WorldCredit: disneyland paris
LEGO® Galaxy, California
Legoland California Resort is launching a brand new immersive, space-themed zone next year named LEGO® Galaxy.
The space-themed zone will be home to three new rides as well as the Junior Astronaut Training Zone, where toddlers and little ones can lose themselves in a themed play area.
The Galacticoaster ride experience also lets you customise your own spacecraftCredit: Legoland CaliforniaGuests can explore the world of LEGO® Galaxy with interactive wristbands and touchscreensCredit: LEGOLAND California
The opening of the new land will see the arrival of the attraction’s first new roller coaster in nearly 20 years: Galacticoaster.
Galacticoaster is a family-friendly indoor coaster spanning nearly 1,500 feet of track with exhilarating galaxy views.
The land will also see the addition of two extra space-themed rides, as well as immersive areas to eat, drink and shop.
The LEGOLAND California Resort is already home to 11 themed lands including Dino Valley and Pirate Shores, a water park, and even its own SEA LIFE Aquarium.
The space-themed land is set to open on 6 March, 2026.
PokéPark KANTO, Tokyo
Pokémon fans have long been waiting for a permanent theme park – and Tokyo will provide a fitting home in 2026.
The attraction will span 26,000 square metres of land in the vibrant city of Tokyo, Japan.
Rather than hopping between rides and food trucks, visitors here take the role of Pokémon trainers.
Guests walk through the park searching through forests to encounter Pokémon, just like in the videogames.
The park is located in Tokyo’s Tama HillsCredit: pokemon.com
The attraction is located in Tokyo’s Tama Hills, where there is plenty of luscious greenery to make the park look like a real Pokémon cartoon come to life.
Away from the 500 metres of Pokémon forest, guests can visit Sedge Town where they’ll find a recreation of a Pokémon Centre, Poké Mart and Sedge Gym.
The attraction is also designed so that you can connect with other guests (or fellow Pokémon trainers) and explore the theme park together.
PokéPark KANTO will open in early 2026.
Visitors, or Pokémon trainers, can even visit the Pokémon CenterCredit: pokemon.com
Valgard: Realm of the Vikings, Paultons Park, UK
Paultons Park, home to Peppa Pig World, will open a brand new Viking-themed land in May 2026.
Valgard will be decorated head-to-toe in Nordic theme, with red rollercoaster tracks weaving their way behind traditional Viking buildings.
The £12m Viking-themed park will be home to rides and immersive experiences for all ages, as well as a themed playground and dining area.
The new area will be located next to the Lost Kingdom, the attraction’s dinosaur adventure park.
The park will include the addition of two new rides, including Paultons’ most thrilling coaster yet: Drakon.
Drakon is an inverting coaster ride which intertwines with Raven – the new name for the rollercoaster previously named Cobra.
The other new addition to the park will be the Vild Swing – a Viking take on a Wild Swing ride, providing a family-friendly alternative to the extreme Drakon.
Valgard: Realm of the Vikings is set to open in Paultons Park on May 16, 2026.
The plans for Valgard reveal Nordic Viking-style designs for the parkCredit: paultons park
BEING wowed by a spectacular show is the perfect finale to a theme park day out – as the big hitters in Europe and America do so well.
Now, one Midlands amusement park is blazing a trail for other UK attractions.
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Drayton Manor near Tamworth has a new lake show, which is billed as the biggest of its kind in the UKCredit: Catherine LofthouseThe lights and water fountains were introduced this year to mark the 75th anniversary of the parkCredit: Catherine Lofthouse
Drayton Manor near Tamworth is billing it’s new nighttime lake show as the biggest of its kind in the UK, so I went to check it out.
The lights and water fountains were introduced this year to mark the 75th anniversary of the park and mark the close of the day, just like at Disneyland and Efteling.
The shows will change to reflect the season.
Drayton Manor is my nearest theme park and I’ve been on many days out there over the years.
I used to love the Mississippi showboat fun house on the lake in the late 80s and early 90s and I can also remember when you used to be able to take a turn around the water on the Drayton Queen paddleboat.
But it’s been a while since the lake has hosted attractions in its own right, instead of providing a pretty backdrop that everything else is set around.
So it was lovely to see the water taking centre stage in this spectacle of lights, fountains and music.
While it’s on a smaller scale than the likes of Disney and Efteling, it’s a brilliant idea to bring everyone together to mark the end of a great day out.
Sometimes heading home after all the rides and fun can feel a bit anticlimactic, especially if you’re trying to load young children bouncing around with excitement into the car for the drive home.
So this water, music and fire show is the perfect way to add a little bit of a buffer between finishing your fun and heading home.
We watched the Christmas Miracle on the Lake show and it was truly magical, with jets of water lit up and set to festive classics.
The dancing jets were interspersed with a screen of mist that had an animated story projected onto it, so that Christmas scenes such as Santa’s workshop and ice palaces could be brought to life.
There were even dramatic flames shooting up into the sky at points, so Drayton Manor really has pulled out all the stops to make the most of its new spectacle.
It’s also nice that it runs shorter versions of the light show during the day so that younger guests who may not still be on site by the close of the day have something to enjoy as well.
But for the full effect, you will want to watch the 15-minute grand finale in all its splendour.
I’ve seen quite a few well-rated magic fountain shows in my travels, including at Montjuic in Barcelona and in front of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
This year, I was wowed by the water effects while watching Kynren, an epic outdoor show telling tales of the British Isles.
The show is smaller than the likes of Disney and Efteling, but it is a brilliant way to end your dayCredit: Catherine LofthouseIt feels like Drayton Manor has drawn inspiration from other theme parks for the showCredit: Catherine Lofthouse
And I would say that Drayton Manor has drawn inspiration from all of these to bring something impressive to its guests.
It’s even installed viewing platforms around the edge of the lake to give those stood further back a better view over the head of visitors in front.
Given it’s a new concept for Brits, there were lots of announcements over the course of the day in the park, letting guests know what time to expect the show to kick off.
There were even a couple of lakeside rides still running when the light show took place – I imagine it would be quite the experience to see the fountains from the pirate ship or while being spun around on the thrill ride Thor in the Viking land.
I’ll certainly look forward to seeing what new shows the park comes up with as the seasons change – make sure it’s on your 2026 to-do list if you want that European theme park vibe but without leaving the UK.
And there are viewing platforms around the edge of the lake to give those stood further back a better viewCredit: Catherine LofthouseIn total, the grand finale show lasts 15 minutesCredit: Catherine Lofthouse
Keeping the kids entertained on holiday is a non-stop job, especially when sunshine isn’t guaranteed.
Thankfully, Devon has loads to offer families, from days spent building sandcastles on beaches to adventure parks with fun rides and animals to meet.
Devon has loads to offer families, from days spent building sandcastles on beaches to adventure parks and steam trains (pictured)Credit: AlamyThe Big Sheep is a family-friendly theme park with animals and attractionsCredit: Alamy
There are plenty of options if you’re looking to keep on a budget, with free things to do around the county, from events to museums that don’t cost a penny.
We chatted to local experts and Sun readers who know Devon well to find out what they would recommend to families heading there on a £9.50 Holiday.
We’ve also added in our own tips, plus Tripadvisor top-rated family attractions, so you and your family will have a £9.50 Holiday to remember…
Fun on the farm
If you and the family are based in North Devon, a day out could be well spent at The Big Sheep, around a 45-minute drive from Croyde and its surrounding beaches.
Paul Braithwaite, General Manager at Ruda Holiday Park, said: “The Big Sheep is a family-friendly theme park with animals and attractions – including North Devon’s biggest and fastest rollercoaster.”
The park is a good rainy day option, with an indoor playground including giant slides, a baby sensory room and cafe.
Winter indoor play is from £4.50 for adults, £6 for kids, £4 for children under 3 ft and £2 for babies.Tip: Book online for the best rates.
On the south coast, the top-rated Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth has free entry and parking.
It’s free to enter, and has also been voted Best Family Attraction in the 2024 Muddy Stilettos Awards for Devon.
You can expect awesome artwork and creative activities such as the weekly sensory art sessions for one to four-year-olds (tip: these have an additional cost of £7 for the first child and £4 for each additional child).
Don’t miss the free Friday storytelling sessions – half an hour that will engage under-fives.
Free daddy daycare
Dads (or male guardians) can make the most of free soft play sessions that take place every Thursday in Plymouth.
The Dads N’ Dinkies club has been recommended by Gem Krupa, Holiday Home Sales Manager at Challaborough Bay holiday park.
She said: “On Thursdays, Barnardo’s runs a Dads and Dinkies session, which is free soft play for dads and the children.
Mums can have a rest while Dads take the kids down to the YMCA for a play.”
Sessions run on Thursdays at 1.30pm. Tip: pre-booking essential.
Go to the big screen
On a rainy day, nothing beats the cinema.
And the Everyman Cinema in Plymouth comes highly-rated for families by Gem Krupa.
She said: “As well as adult sessions in the evening, the cinema has family-friendly screenings in the day.
It’s not that much more expensive than a regular cinema ticket but it’s a really cool experience.
There are sofas and armchairs in there. You get a blanket and a menu and you can order cocktails, or burgers and desserts.”
Family tickets are available.
The Christmas Train of Lights on the Dartmouth Steam Railway, which runs from Kingswear to PaigntonCredit: Alamy
Steam train magic
Sun reader Richard Tilley from Devizes in Wiltshire has visited South Devon numerous times with his family, most recently staying at Parkdean Resorts Torquay.
Richard, 62, recommends exploring the South Devon coastline by steam train and ferry, like he did with his children when they were younger.
He said: “We used to take the family on the steam train from Paignton to Kingswear, then hop on a ferry over to Dartmouth and back. The kids loved it – it now brings back happy memories.”
Tickets from £14pp for a family of five.
Tripadvisor’s Top 5 things to do in Devon with kids
Devon’s top-rated family attraction is Kents Cavern, a prehistoric labyrinth of underground passages in Torquay.
Kids will love exploring this cave, which was home to ancient humans sheltering from extreme weather and hunting Ice Age animals.
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, Pennywell Farm in Buckfastleigh and The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth also make the top-rated list.
Devon’s top-rated family attraction is Kents Cavern, a prehistoric labyrinth of underground passages in TorquayCredit: GettyThe indoor adventure playground at The Big Sheep Theme Park in AbbotshamCredit: Alamy
A Spanish attraction has been crowned Europe’s Leading Theme Park 2025. However, it’s not a widely known theme park, and you shouldn’t expect rollercoaster rides. Instead, it’s a unique experience that’s like stepping back in time
The park includes immersive experiences and historic shows(Image: Samuel de Roman/Getty Images)
A surprising winner has taken the title of Europe’s Leading Theme Park 2025 at the World Travel Awards. And while it’s set in sunny Spain, it’s a little-known destination that’s not typically visited by British tourists.
Puy du Fou España opened in 2021 in Toledo, and the idea is based on the French theme park of the same name. The city is approximately an hour south of Madrid, and this historic area was once the capital of Spain, making it an ideal site for an attraction that showcases the country’s past.
At Puy du Fou España, you won’t find the typical trappings of a theme park, such as rollercoasters or kiddie rides; instead, there are epic, immersive shows about history, with recreations of events on a huge scale.
During the day, visitors can enjoy shows such as “A Pluma y Espada” (With Pen and Sword), a swashbuckling show about the playwright often considered the Spanish Shakespeare. There’s also Cetrería de Reyes (Falconry of Kings), which recreates a falconry competition of the past, along with stunning bird displays.
Visitors can visit a number of villages, each one full of painstaking details that make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. There’s La Puebla Real, a medieval village where visitors can see artisanal crafts being made and try traditional food. Or visit Villanueva del Corral, a recreation of a 1544 farming village, or El Arrabal, which has a historic-style tavern.
At night, the epic El Sueño de Toledo (The Dream of Toledo) is a 70-minute show about the history of Spain, with a focus on the city of Toledo. The show brings together 200 actors, along with historic sets, fireworks, and special effects to create an unforgettable experience.
It’s also worth visiting the city of Toledo itself to see some of its historic sites. The city dates back to Roman times and has been occupied by numerous conquerors over the years, resulting in a unique and rich history. It’s sometimes called the “City of Three Cultures”, as it’s a place where Christians, Jews, and Muslims have lived together for centuries.
Visitors can see the spectacular Toledo Cathedral (Catedral Primada), one of the largest in Spain, which was built in a beautiful ornate Gothic style. There’s also the imposing Alcázar of Toledo, a fortification which once guarded the city’s walls and is now a military museum.
Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes is a Gothic monastery that often tops the lists of most beautiful temples in Spain. You can wander its vast halls and marvel at the stained glass and stonemasonry that dates back to the 15th century.
Toledo also has a vast Casco Historico (old town), with a narrow maze of winding medieval streets that are packed with independent shops, souvenir stalls, charming cafes, and town squares, which capture the historic vibe of the city.
Puy du Fou España entry costs vary but typically start around €30 (£26) for a 1-day adult ticket if booked in advance, with children (3-13) starting around €24, while on-the-day prices are higher (around €38-€39).
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ONE little-known holiday park has scooped up two awards for its accommodation and it’s right next to a UK theme park.
Sundown Adventureland is a popular spot for families with over 30 rides and attractions as well as a huge soft play – and the adjoining holiday village is now award-winning.
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The accommodation in Sundown Adventureland has won two awardsCredit: Sundown AdventurelandThe theme park its next to caters for families with kids 10 years old and underCredit: Sundown Adventureland
Wild Acre Village in Retford won two awards at the recent Hoseasons’ Diamond Awards.
The accommodation came first place in the categories ‘Best in Britain – Holiday Park’ and ‘Relax & Explore – Heart of England – Small Park’.
Winners were chosen using reviews and ratings from Hoseasons’ own customers, who share their views after their visits.
Debs Griffin, director at Sundown Adventureland said: “When we opened the lodges, we knew there would be a demand for staying overnight at Sundown Adventureland.
“But we never could’ve anticipated that three years on, we would be consistently fully booked with so many of our customers returning for repeat visits.
“Offering families a good value, very clean, comfortable and entertaining stay has been central to the success of Wild Acre Village, and our team works extremely hard to ensure every guest has a memorable stay, wants to keep coming back and laps up the magic and exciting nature of Sundown Adventureland.”
While Sundown Adventureland first opened its doors in 1968, Wild Acre Village just three years ago in 2022.
The self-accommodation style village was built after feedback from visitors who said they couldn’t fit all their exploring into one day.
As Sundown Adventureland is catered towards families with children 10 years old and under – the accommodation is too.
There are single cabins which sleep five people with a king-size bed for the adults and triple bunk beds for the kids.
The cabins are catered for families with spacious bedrooms and living areasCredit: Sundown Adventureland
Double cabins can sleep ten people and are ideal for multiple generations holidaying together with interconnecting doors.
Each cabin and lodge has a living and dining area, bathroom and well-equipped kitchen.
There are outdoor patio areas with picnic benches and disposable BBQ stand – some even have hot tubs.
Currently, Wild Acre Village has offers from £299 for a three-night break, which includes free park tickets for guests.
Over at Sundown Adventureland, families can enjoy over 30 rides and attractions that are specially designed for younger children.
One popular attraction is the Crash Landings soft playCredit: Sundown AdventurelandThe Lillipoppet Castle smells of liquorice inside
Inside there’s also a newly extended cafe with hot food, snacks and drinks.
Rides include the Giddy Piggies to the Jolly Pirate Boat Ride to Robin Hood’s Merry Adventure.
The Lillipoppet Castle is a huge, sweet-inspired castle with an ice cream centrepiece, and it even smells of liquorice.
Storybook Village is based on popular fairytales like Humpty Dumpty and the Three Little Pigs.
Across the theme park are eight themed play areas like Shotgun City, a wild west town with a traditional saloon and an animatronic sing-song show.
The theme park even has its own Wild West townCredit: Sundown Adventureland
Here’s the English theme park with world-first rides crowned best in the UK…
ThemeParks-UK.comannounced the winners of this year’s best parks around the country with this one scooping up awards across 10 categories…
The theme park in question is Paultons Park which has over 70 rides and attractions, as well as Peppa Pig World.
Found in Hampshire just outside of the New Forest, the theme park has nine Peppa-themed rides as well as rollercoasters, splash parks and even an animal park.
At the recent UK Theme Park Awards 2025, Paultons Park was crowned Theme Park of the Year beating the likes of Thorpe Park and Legoland.
Not only that, but it also scooped up nine other awards including Best New Attraction for Ghostly Manor.
It also topped the two categories for Best Theme Park for Families and Best Theme Park for Toddlers.
It will be a viking-themed world with the park’s first inverting rollercoaster, called Drakon.
Drakon will be the park’s most thrilling ride with a vertical lift hill and two twists taking riders upside down.
Also in the Viking world will be the Vild Swing that swirls riders 12 metres in the air, two brand new thrill rides, retheming of Cobra – a famous ride at Paultons Park, into a bobsled adventure.
Theme parks have long had a checkered reputation when it comes to dining.
And theme park designer Eddie Sotto once wanted to put an end to such a reputation. “Why,” Sotto reflected to me in 2023, “are we not thinking more holistically as to what we’re putting inside the guest as to what we’re putting in front of the guest?”
“The old joke is that people don’t expect the food to be any good in an immersive environment,” Sotto said. “I don’t believe that. I believe it should all be good. You’re paying a lot. The opportunity is for it all to be transformative.”
Sotto, whose outspoken passion for theme park design made him a favorite among Disney’s vast fanbase, died on Dec. 17 in Orange County after a long battle with various heart-related issues, said his wife of 48 years, Deena. He was 67.
While Sotto’s best-known masterworks are overseas, be it the creation of Main Street, U.S.A., for Disneyland Paris or overseeing the development of the early trackless attraction Pooh’s Hunny Hunt for Tokyo Disneyland, he had a reputation for fighting tirelessly to enhance the theme park experience, pushing for improvements to everything including ride vehicles and the food on guests’ plates.
In the early ’90s while working for Walt Disney Imagineering, the company’s secretive arm devoted to theme park experiences, Sotto took it upon himself to hold a chef-led symposium for Imagineers.
“They taught us Imagineers a lot about the ritual of dining, and understanding what foods do to you,” he said, describing how theme park dining should go beyond developing a burger with a cute name.
He was also an early designer on Disneyland’s Indiana Jones Adventure, brought music to Space Mountain and elevated a Los Angeles landmark: He led an interior refresh of the now-shuttered Encounter restaurant at LAX.
Born in Hollywood on March 14, 1958, and raised in La Mirada and Fullerton, Sotto grew up obsessed with Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland. He married Deena, his high school sweetheart, when he was 19. Sotto initially followed in his late father’s early footsteps, working at Sears. His meteoric rise in theme park design would be unheard of today, as Sotto never attended college and was self taught, drafting theme park designs in his down time while selling appliances.
His hiring at Imagineering caused some debate, says Tony Baxter, the Disney legend who oversaw the creation of such attractions as Big Thunder Mountain, Indiana Jones Adventure, Star Tours and Splash Mountain. Outgoing and driven, Sotto began reaching out to Baxter for advice in the late ‘70s, says Baxter. It would take nearly a decade for Baxter to persuade his superiors to take a chance on Sotto, who was eventually hired by Imagineering in 1986 after stints at Knott’s Berry Farm and the Landmark Entertainment Group. It was at Landmark where he met one of his key mentors, Herb Ryman, a fine artist and longtime concept designer with Imagineering.
Eddie Sotto’s most famed Disney work is the design of Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland Paris.
(Michel Euler / Associated Press)
“For people in management, they kind of want to see a portfolio of something solid,” Baxter says. “But for me, it’s what’s going on in someone’s mind. And Eddie’s mind was sharp as a tack.”
So savvy, believed Baxter, that he was given the task of reimagining Main Street, U.S.A., for a French audience at Disneyland Paris. Sotto’s take on the introductory turn-of-the-century land is widely regarded as its finest, with its grand Victorian-inspired designs diving more deeply into factual American history than its predecessors. Enclosed archways line each side of the street behind the shops. The arcades serve as a shield from Parisian weather but also gave Sotto the opportunity to design installations that focus on the Statue of Liberty, American inventions and the bond between the United States and France.
The goal, says Baxter, was “to create shops in competition with European architecture.” Tom Morris, a retired Imagineer who worked closely with Sotto, says Sotto’s Main Street possesses “an extra layer of storytelling,” adding that Sotto gave the thoroughfare “more of an opportunity for exploration.”
“It’s excessive in the best way possible,” adds Christopher Merritt, a theme park designer and author who worked with Sotto on Pooh’s Hunny Hunt.
Morris recalled first meeting Sotto when they were teens in the 1970s. Morris jokes that he and Sotto both went to Disneyland “more than our parents thought was healthy, which was four or five times per year.” Their paths initially crossed at the Anaheim public library, where they went to peruse its Disneyland collection.
“There were files and files of photographs and employee newsletters — all sorts of weird and interesting things,” Morris says. “I always thought I must be the only weirdo who is interested in all of this, but one day there was another person in there and that person was Ed Sotto. That’s where we met, and I was really surprised, actually, that there was someone else afflicted with the same obsession for Disneyland.”
At Knott’s, Sotto was tasked with reimagining a motorcycle chase ride. Sotto, as recalled in the book “Knott’s Preserved” by Merritt and J. Eric Lynxwiler, took four buttons off a coat and created a mini soapbox car and ran it around a conference table as if it were a Matchbox toy. This would lead to the creation of the Wacky Soap Box Racers, in which the makeshift cars would careen through painted facades of cartoon-ish animals cheering on the guests. The attraction emphasized silliness, taking riders into “Catnip Junction” and through rat-infested sewers.
Eddie Sotto in 2015. In his 13-plus years at Imagineering, the designer touched multiple Disneyland attractions.
(Courtesy of Deena Sotto)
“He told me that everyone backed away from the project because he was the new kid,” says Merritt. “He got literally no budget. There was an end scene in a fireworks factory and they were making bombs out of rubber beach balls that they spray painted black. There were doing this by hand. And it’s a big hit.”
Sotto in his 13-plus years at Imagineering had an influence on Disneyland. As a concept designer on Indiana Jones Adventure, Sotto, says Baxter, conceived the idea in which the ride vehicles would appear to go through one of three different doors, an illusion accomplished by a rotating wall. Repeat visitors would sense as if the car was moving on an alternate track. Today, the walls no longer move and the effect is attempted via projection technology. “I felt my rolling ball [at the ride’s end] and Eddie’s choice room were the two things that really made the ride unique in terms of, ‘Wow, how did they do that?’” Baxter says.
Sotto ascended quickly while at Imagineering, rising to the position of senior vice president, concept design.
“Eddie just kept sketching and drawing,” Morris says. “He was inspired by Herb Ryman and that was Herb’s motto: ‘Just keep drawing.’ I just think when you have a lot of quick sketching acuity, word gets out. People know. This is someone you want on your team, especially in the early stages, to help concept, bring forth and pitch an idea.”
In the mid-’90s, Sotto realized a dream of many an Imagineer, particularly Morris, of bringing onboard audio onto a roller coaster, specifically Disneyland’s Space Mountain. Today, it’s commonplace for coasters to have synced music or sound effects, but Morris says there were technical hurdles that needed to be solved, most notably related to the engineering of the speaker sets on individual cars.
Sotto pushed it through, but not without some personal touches. An avid fan of rock ‘n’ roll, Sotto tapped surf rock guitar legend Dick Dale for a part of the composition, which heavily pulled from Camille Saint-Saëns’ “Aquarium” section of “The Carnival of the Animals.” The result was otherworldly, but also rooted in a sound associated with riding the Southern California waves. Dale’s riffs, wrote Sotto on his website, “were to be triggered to compliment each twist, turn and drop of your ‘rocket.’”
“He loved Orange County surf guitar music,” says Merritt. “So he hires Dick Dale for this intergalactic soundtrack for Space Mountain. They did some promotional thing where they put Dick Dale standing on Space Mountain playing his guitar. That’s just the audaciousness of Eddie.”
In fact, Sotto wrote on his site, it was the promise to play atop Space Mountain that sold Dale on the gig. Sotto would leave Imagineering in 1999 to soon after establish his own Laguna Beach-based SottoStudios, but not before getting an opportunity with Imagineering to remodel Encounter at LAX. Sotto’s vision was a space-age bachelor pad, a place, he said in 2023, “where George Jetson and Barbarella might meet for a drink,” with lava lamp-inspired pillars and soda fountains modeled in the shape of vintage sci-fi ray guns, complete with sound effects.
A remodel of the interior of LAX restaurant Encounter was one of Eddie Sotto’s career highlights.
(David McNew / Getty Images)
Sotto long spoke of the restaurant, which closed in 2013, as one of his favorite projects.
“Theme has to go deep,” Sotto said. “It has be something that’s relevant and exciting to people. I spent weeks putting together 11 hours of music for Encounter. What you were hearing could be a B-side from William Shatner’s space album. Theme has to reward your close inspection at a rich level. That’s why people return.”
SottoStudios over the years was heavily involved in the automobile industry, as Sotto led the design of many car showrooms. Sotto also had a passion for restaurants, and worked on numerous L.A. establishments including John Sedlar’s shuttered but acclaimed Rivera. Sotto’s career would also take him to Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin offices, for which he designed a Jules Verne-inspired rocketship fireplace that doubles as a lobby meeting space.
And his passion for theme parks never wavered, says Baxter, even as his heart issues worsened. At their monthly lunches, Baxter notes that he and Sotto would continue to brainstorm new Disney attractions or alternative directions to what the company was announcing. Sotto, says Baxter, spent his final few days at Orange’s UCI Medical Center, but was given a room with a view of Disneyland’s fireworks, which he looked forward to watching each evening. Baxter recalled a picture of the two of them eating chili cheese dogs at Disneyland.
“He sent it to me, and said, ‘I’m dreaming of a day when we can do this again,’” Baxter says. “That was just two weeks ago.”
In addition to his wife, Deena, Sotto is survived by their son Brian, daughter Venice and her husband, Rocky.
The Ford Mustang was built in Detroit, introduced to the world in New York and, according to a new exhibit on the border of downtown and Boyle Heights, romanticized by Los Angeles.
Part advertisement, part history lesson and part playground, “American Icon: A Mustang Immersive Experience” uses theme park-inspired trappings to celebrate a work of mechanical artistry. The car — first introduced in 1964 at the New York World’s Fair as a sporty, compact coup with just a little bit of an edge — is given a hero’s treatment. Inside the warehouse-like Ace Mission Studios, “American Icon” tracks the Mustang’s evolution from the suburban garage to the race track, and uses projections and a 4D theater experience to transform what could have been a showroom experience into something built more for a video game.
With installations focused on the fabled, traffic-free, open road “freedom” that car manufacturers like to so often tout, there’s something quaintly old fashioned here. The Mustang is presented as a car for young couples on the go, optimistically envisioning an America when home and car ownership were a given.
Visitors watch an immersive 4D short film.
(Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times)
The seats inside a 4D theater vibrate and feature water and scent effects.
(Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)
In that sense, it’s a car enthusiast’s fantasy. But can it inspire a new generation of car dreamers, especially at a time when some data indicates younger audiences may be holding off on a car purchase?
While no cars are for sale at “American Icon” — there is an assortment of specially branded Mustang merch, however, much of it nostalgically focused on 1964 — such an immersive endeavor makes sense, says researcher Jason Jordhamo, a marketing director for Polk Automotive Solutions from S&P Global Mobility. Enticing audiences today, he says, involves a more personal touch than a big TV ad spend or a sponsorship deal.
“It’s less time in the dealership,” Jordhamo says of reaching younger consumers, especially Gen Z. “Those traditional things have to be let go of.”
Jordhamo notes that new vehicle registration among those aged 18-34 has dipped about 2% in recent years. Anecdotally, he cites a multitude of factors, ranging from growing environmental consciousness — hybrids and electric vehicles are big with the age bracket — to the ease of rideshare, especially in major cities.
But there are other causes for concern. “There’s a lot of things that are challenging in that space,” Jordhamo says. “One is affordability, which is huge. The cost for purchasing a vehicle — the monthly costs — have gone up 30% since the beginning of this decade. And the average loan payment nationally has been over $750 all calendar year.”
With the “Pick Your Pony” interactive feature, guests can listen to different Mustang engine sounds.
(Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)
Immersive experiences, which typically denote either some level of participation on the part of the guest or attempt to envelope the attendee in all-encompassing imagery, are common in Hollywood and often seen as a way of reaching a younger consumer weaned on interactive entertainment. They’ve been utilized heavily by studios such as Netflix for pop-ups themed to “Arcane,” “Squid Game” and more, but brands and personalities as varied as the Catholic Church, McDonald’s and even Mariah Carey have gotten in on the experiential action. Car companies, too, have dabbled, be it partnering with video game franchises such as “Gran Turismo” or “Rocket League” or, as Ford already does, offering real-life experiences such as off-roading in a Bronco at various U.S. locales.
“It’s more than just steel and rubber,” says Ford’s communications director Mike Levine when asked why Mustang was pegged for such an experience. “Mustang’s impact on America should be appreciated like an art exhibit.”
Seated before a crisply, powdered blue 1965 Mustang on a turntable, the exhibit’s first major room comes alive to simulate movement as the surrounding four walls use projections to place us on idealized versions of Venice Beach and Route 66. The glimmering rhythm of Martha and the Vandellas’ “Nowhere to Run” sets the tone as visions of cruise culture innocence aim to make us feel as if we’re on a ride through Southern California. All that’s missing to complete the mood is someone to deliver us a milkshake.
Several generations of Mustangs are projected behind a real vehicle.
(Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)
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Levine says Los Angeles rather than Detroit was chosen as the first of a planned many stops for “American Icon” in part due to the city’s iconography, pointing to historic drives such as Pacific Coast and Angeles Crest highways as scenic backdrops for our car-focused culture. While experiential marketing is all the buzz in recent years, Levine says this is the first installation of its kind for Ford.
“So far, so good,” said Enzo Sanchez, 22, when asked on a recent weekday if he was enjoying “American Icon,” which culminates in a 4D theater experience that serves as a mini motion simulator. Expect to get splashed with a drop of water as the smell of burning rubber fills the room. The mini film — about five minutes — has Mustang drivers saving a post-apocalyptic world from a rogue AI. “Terminator,” but if Mustangs came to the rescue.
Sanchez, named after famed racer and entrepreneur Enzo Ferrari, comes from a car enthusiast family. His father pointed to a wall dedicated to appearances of the Mustang in popular culture, and singled out a framed portrait of Johnny Mathis’ LP “Those Were the Days,” which features the automobile, and said he would have to track down a copy.
“It just transports you,” Sanchez says of his love of the Mustang, adding that he first became aware of “American Icon” on a recent trip to mid-Wilshire’s Petersen Automotive Museum, which helped curate the exhibition. Sanchez noticed one of its famed 1967 Mustangs, the so-called “Eleanor” from “Gone in 60 Seconds,” was absent, and when Sanchez inquired as to its whereabouts, he was told that it would be popping up at “American Icon.” The vehicle shares space with Mustangs from “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Kick-Ass” and “Transformers” at the exhibition.
“American Icon: A Mustang Immersive Experience”
The Mustang, says Ford’s Levine, has been among the most popular movie vehicles, adding that “Gone in 60 Seconds” showcases the car as much as it does the city of Los Angeles. He, too, has seen the headlines that proclaim Gen Z is shifting away from car ownership. For now, he says, he isn’t concerned.
“I heard the same thing about millennials, who weren’t going to buy cars,” he says. “As a parent of two Gen Z children, they love cars. Their friends have cars. They want something they can enjoy.”
A rotating platform and video projections make a Ford Mustang look like it’s driving on a road.
(Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times)
And as Ford bets on with “American Icon,” they want something they can experience.
“This is a different way to reach a Gen Z customer that is very much looking for or has seen engaging content online,” he says. “And when you come in to do that experience, it’s really every sense. When you do the 4D ride, it is every sense. You smell. You feel it. You hear it. You see it. And when you’re immersed on that level, you put the phone down.”
And that, of course, is an essential rule to enjoying the road.
If your dog has missed out on the festive fun so far, there’s still time to book them into Paws in the Park at LEGOLAND Windsor. There’s even the chance for them to give Santa their wish list
Pups can finally enjoy a festive day out at LEGOLAND(Image: LEGOLAND)
If you’re looking for a festive family day out that includes your four-legged friend, then LEGOLAND Windsor is offering a day that dogs will love. On December 21 and 28, the iconic theme park will host Paws in the Park, a special event that allows dogs to accompany their owners to the attraction’s Christmas celebrations.
While most dogs don’t have much interest in LEGO, beyond chewing any stray pieces found on the floor, they’ll no doubt love the festive atmosphere of the park and a new place for walkies. Dogs can sniff their way around the park while owners enjoy over 20 rides, Christmas shows, and the Elf Training Academy.
And if your dog is on the nice list this year, why not treat them to a visit to see Santa himself? After 5pm, Santa’s Grotto in the Christmas Kingdom is open to doggos who are hoping for a visit from Santa Paws this year.
Owners who want to bring their dog to the park will need to pay for a £10 Pet Pass in addition to tickets for any humans visiting, and there are a few rules to follow. Dogs need to be kept on a lead, and you must bring any dog food and snacks with you, although there will be water points throughout the park.
Paws in the Park is part of Christmas at LEGOLAND, the theme park’s festive offering which describes itself as ‘the ultimate Christmas day out’. Until January 4, the park will be decked out in Christmas décor, turning it into a brick-shaped winter wonderland.
A number of rides are still open over Christmas, including The Dragon rollercoaster and the ever-popular LEGO City Driving School. Little kids will especially love the DUPLO Dino Coaster, based on the beloved toddler toys, and the LEGOLAND Express train which takes you on a tour of the park.
You can meet Santa and his elves in LEGO form, before dropping into the grotto to meet Father Christmas himself and give him your Christmas wishes. Visitors get a special LEGO gift to remember their trip.
LEGOLAND’s Christmas attractions also include the Festival of Flurries show, a musical where the audience are encouraged to dance and sing along in a lively yuletide show. As you walk through the park, you may also spot the Nutcracker’s Marching Band, a group playing brass band versions of your favourite Christmas songs.
And of course, there are plenty of opportunities to play with the beloved brick toys, including Build to Give. For every LEGO heart built in the workshop, a LEGO set will be donated.
In addition to LEGOLAND Windsor, there are three European LEGO-themed parks, perhaps the most famous being in Billund, Denmark, the home of LEGO. Recently, LEGOLAND Deutschland in Germany announced they’d be adding a new Harry Potter land to their list of attractions, which will include Wizarding World-themed rides and accommodation. The park plans to release more information on this new land in the next 12 months.
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UNIVERSAL has finally been given the green light to open a theme park in the UK.
The famous film studios has been given planning permission to start building the theme park.
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The UK Universal has been given a special order to allow building works next yearCredit: Cover ImagesThe new theme park expects to be open in Bedford by 2031Credit: Universal
A Special Development Order (SDO) has been granted by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, which allows the theme park to skip local planning procedures.
This means it will allow it to be built in the suggested location near Bedford.
Expected to start works in January 2026, the park could open as soon as 2031.
It will be the first Universal theme park for both the UK and Europe, with current resorts only across the US and Asia.
Local Labour MP Mohammad Yasin praised the “landmark moment,” adding: “The confirmation of planning permission for the Universal Destinations & Experiences Entertainment Resort Complex is transformational and will be felt for decades to come.”
Estimated to cost £6.6billion to build, it could attract as many as eight million visitors a year.
Little is currently known about what kind of themed lands and rides would open at the UK Universal.
Rumours suggest James Bond, Paddington and Lord of the Rings, Minions, Jurassic World, and Back to the Future.
It is unlikely to include Harry Potter due to licensing rules and the nearby Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction in the nearby Leavesden.
Set across 662 acres, there will be four ‘zones’; the Core Zone, Lake Zone, West Gateway Zone and the East Gateway Zone.
The Core Zone is likely to be the entrance area, as well as where the theme park and waterpark will be.
Plans also include a 500-room hotel.
More accommodation and businesshotels will be at the Lake Zone, as well as an entertainment complex ans convention centre.
Then both the West Gateway Zone and the East Gateway Zone will be where guests arrive by train and car, with restaurants and hotels.
This is also like to be where the Entry Plaza area will be, as well as the parking and a 500-room hotel.
The park is expected to stay open all year round, unlike other UK theme parks like Alton Towers and Thorpe Park which only open on select dates like Christmas and New Year.
Not only that but it would have much longer opening hours, suggested to be 7am to 11pm.
It will also have a free-to-visit area where guests won’t need a ticket to enter.
Also included in the theme park plans are a new train station to cope with demand.
The new station would be part of the East West Rail (EWR) line, with train links to Oxford to Cambridge via Milton Keynes and Bedford.
If you’re bored of theme parks with long queues and greasy food, a new ‘luxury’ theme park will be opening in 2026 that promises a much more upmarket experience including “five-star hospitality”
BON – Beauty of Nature theme park is set to combine thrill rides with luxury holiday experiences(Image: VidantaWorld)
A day out at a theme park is hardly what you’d call a luxury experience. While it’s nice to enjoy a day of family-fun, having to queue for 30-second rides and fight the crowds isn’t exactly relaxing.
However, an upmarket resort chain now aims to elevate the average theme park experience. Billed as “the world’s first-ever luxury theme park”, BON (beauty of nature) is set to open in autumn of 2026 for guests of VidantaWorld Nuevo Vallarta in Mexico.
There are ambitious plans for this new theme park, which will eventually have multiple lands including 23 attractions, 25 restaurants, lounges, and shops across the site. It’ll feature both thrill rides and family-friendly options, as well as immersive experiences and playgrounds.
Guests of VidantaWorld Nuevo Vallarta, a resort featuring a 5-star hotel, golf course, and direct beach access, already have access to select attractions within the theme park. The park recently opened Cirque du Soleil LUDÕ, a spectacular water-based show that takes place in a custom-built theater costing $ 200 million (£ 148 million) for an immersive dinner experience. The theatre is surrounded by a wrap-around aquarium for a 360-degree undersea experience.
Two of the theme park’s seven planned lands are also open for guests to preview. There’s Wonder Bay, which includes a lake show and seasonal celebrations. Until January 11, a Christmas theme is in effect, featuring decorations, live performances, and festive meet-and-greets.
Adventure Valley is also open, featuring the serene Carousel of Colors and the family-friendly Time Quest. There’s also Tempest Towers, a ride that takes you to new heights before plunging you down, and Kids Cove playground with plenty for them to explore. Some of the park’s shops and restaurants are also open, offering visitors a glimpse of what the park will be like.
Once fully open, visitors will be able to enjoy rides such as the Tecuani Beast, set to be Latin America’s only double-launch coaster. This will have top speeds of 65mph and more airtime than any other rollercoaster in the region. Another attraction will be the floral-themed Floresta Drop, which will be a family-friendly ride.
There will also be a variety of eateries offering an elevated experience compared to the typical theme park fare. This includes authentic Mexican cuisine offerings, sushi restaurants, and American-style grills.
The park will also feature numerous surprises around every corner, including costumed entertainers, light shows, fireworks, and much more. The company VidantaWorld, who already have two beach resorts in Mexico and a mega yacht, want to create a “multi-generational” experience, with something for all ages.
The news comes as a popular European theme park is set to get a new world based on the Harry Potter series. LEGOLAND Deutschland in Germany confirmed the creation of a new Wizarding World based on J.K. Rowling’s popular franchise. Details will be released in the next 12 months and are set to include Harry Potter themed accommodation.
Disneyland Paris is also set to get a brand new attraction, and has confirmed that the World of Frozen, based on the Frozen movies, will open on March 29, 2026. The area is set to include a brand new ride, character meet and greets, new shows, and exclusive food and drink.
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A WORLD famous destination, often referred to as the unofficial eighth Wonder of the World, could be getting a new theme park.
The Ontario government has launched a new Destination Niagara Strategy which is a multi-billion dollar plan to transform Canada‘s top tourist spots into even better destinations.
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Niagara Falls could be getting a new theme park, as work begins on a new five-star hotelCredit: suppliedThe hotel will feature a spa. theatre and museumCredit: supplied
As part of the strategy, Niagara Falls could become the ‘Las Vegas of the North’ with the possible creation of a new theme park.
Other plans include redeveloping the Ontario Power Generating Station into a new tourist destination.
A huge wheel ride that visitors can see the falls from is also part of the project – and could be similar to the London Eye with views of the River Thames.
The Niagara Parks Marina will be updated, with plans of opening a restaurant, shop and outdoor patio area.
Work is already being carried out to convert the historic Toronto Power Generating Station in a five-star hotel – a first in the area.
The hotel is on the banks of the upper Niagara River and will have a craft brewery, museum, a spa, art gallery and a theatre.
In addition to this, there could be “multiple world-class casinos”, as well as “entertainment and top-tier dining options”.
Niagara’s casinos already attract over five million people and generate around €500million (£373million) every year.
The report states that it would “create new, world-class attractions, boost local arts and culture and improve the region’s transportation network.”
It hopes to welcome as many as 25million visitors a year, and double the region’s tourism.
It could even create $3billion (£2.3billion) for Ontario’s GDP.
Premier Doug Ford said: “Niagara is home to the world-famous Niagara Falls, one of the most iconic tourism destinations on earth, along with a host of world-class restaurants, wineries, hotels, cultural events and so much more.
“Our Destination Niagara Strategy will unlock the region’s full potential, supporting workers and creating new opportunities for tourists and families from Ontario and around the world to come and experience the best that the region has to offer.”
Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West said: “This transformative investment in Niagara as a world-class, four-season tourism destination is another example of how our government is protecting Ontario.
“This critical support for our regional tourism strategy will not only attract more visitors from coast to coast across North America, but from around the globe.”
In the future, the destination could see even more new attractions and visitor experiences – though details are limited.
Little details have been released about the theme park, but there will be more casinosCredit: suppliedBack in August, a new Niagara Takes Flight experience openedCredit: Jam Press/Niagara Parks
More money will be invested in cultural events too and improving transport options in the region.
Also in the years ahead, there could be a new Niagara River Line attraction, which would be an electric tram through Queen Victoria Park.
Visitors would board capsules that would be suspended, allowing them to see Niagara Falls from a new angle.
Back in August, a new Niagara Takes Flight experience opened.
The $25million (£18.7million) flying theatre experience allows visitors to go on a journey along the Niagara River corridor, soaring across 34.8 miles of parkland including Lake Ontario and the edge of Lake Erie.
A recent visitor said: “This was the most fun we had at Niagara Falls!
“This simulation makes you feel as if you are really experiencing this adventure!”
In other theme park news, these are all the UK rides and attractions that we lost in 2025 and the exciting ones coming in 2026.
