IAAPA Expo 2023 News Roundup – Ride Reveals and Thea Awards
IAAPA Expo 2023 took place November 13–17, 2023, at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, Florida. It was the largest IAAPA Expo ever, with the greatest amount of registered attendees in history. There were many announcements from the week-long attractions industry event.
Coaster train debuts
Top Thrill 2 lead car (Credit: Cedar Point)
One of the most exciting things at IAAPA is that coaster trains make their first appearance on the show floor.
Here are the coaster trains that were revealed:
Cedar Point’s Top Thrill 2, manufactured by Zamperla – Watch an IAAPA interview with Adam Sandy from Zamperla
Hersheypark’s Comet’s new trains for 2024 are from the Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters.
Silver Dollar City’s new version of Fire in the Hole, manufactured by RMC
Holiday World’s Good Gravy! Family Coaster, manufactured by Vekoma
SeaWorld Orlando’s Penguin Trek, manufactured by B&M
Six Flags Great Escape’s The Bobcat, manufactured by The Gravity Group
Six Flags Qiddiya’s Falcons Flight, manufactured by Intamin
Six Flags Qiddya’s Colossus, manufactured by Great Coaster International and featuring Infinity Flyer trains designed by Skyline Attractions
Seven Family Entertainment Center’s (Saudi Arabia) Transformers coaster, an axis coaster manufactured by S&S Worldwide
Mattel Adventure Park’s Hot Wheels Twin Mill Racer, manufactured by Chance Rides
Also revealed was the Mr. Krabs animatronic for Spongebob’s Crazy Carnival from Sally Dark Rides headed to Circus Circus in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Watch a video from IAAPA with most of the coaster train reveals.
Attraction announcements
Kennywood’s Potato Patch-themed bumper cars
Kennywood announced their bumper cars will be renamed Fresh Cut Fun and feature Potato Patch fry theming.
Disney announced that their new Avatar-themed attraction at the Disneyland Resort will be at Disney California Adventure
30th Annual TEA Thea Awards
The 30th annual TEA Thea Awards were announced during the TEA International Mixer.
Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievement recipients:
Indoor Marine Park: SeaWorld® Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Attraction: Bermuda Storm at Chimelong Spaceship, Zhuhai, China
Attraction, Limited Budget: Musikkfabrikken Hunderfossen at Hunderfossen Eventyrpark, Lillehammer, Norway
Attraction: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT, Walt Disney World
See all of the award recipients on TEA’s website.
2024
IAAPA Expo 2024 will take place November 18–22, 2024, in Orlando, Florida.
