Why The World’s Best Theme Park Rides Don’t Just Drive Attendance
Key takeaways
- Hollywood & Entertainment Why The World’s Best Theme Park Rides Don’t Just Drive Attendance By Caroline Reid,
- Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights.
- There is a simple business model behind theme parks, especially ones based on Intellectual Property such as movies.
Hollywood & Entertainment Why The World’s Best Theme Park Rides Don’t Just Drive Attendance By Caroline Reid,
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Caroline Reid covers the entertainment industry Follow Author Jun 13, 2026, 07:30am EDTWarner Bros. World Abu Dhabi is launching two new DC Comics themed rides.MSMOn the face of it there doesn’t seem to be any secret about why theme park operators build new attractions. If guests have to pay separately to go on each ride then the more there are, the greater their revenue-generating potential. If the park charges visitors a flat entry fee then building new attractions encourages more guests to visit thereby boosting revenue. Surprisingly, that’s not actually the most magical touch that new additions can have.
There is a simple business model behind theme parks, especially ones based on Intellectual Property such as movies. Watching the movies makes children ask their parents to take them to the parks that are based on them. Gift shops selling merchandise featuring the characters in the rides are cunningly placed at the exits of the attractions so that riders have to pass through them when they are in a carefree frame of mind. This increases the chance that they will buy the merchandise and when their kids see it at home it reminds them of the happy time they had in the park. This causes them to pester their parents to book a return visit and the cycle begins anew. That’s just the start.