Action Theater Explained

Action Theater
Imagedimensions:250px
Location:California's Great America
Section:All American Corners
Status:Operating
Opened:1994
Location2:Canada's Wonderland
Section2:Frontier Canada
Status2:Closed
Opened2:1994
Closed2:2019
Location3:Carowinds
Section3:Crossroads
Status3:Closed
Opened3:1993
Closed3:2022
Location4:Kings Dominion
Section4:International Street
Status4:Closed
Opened4:1993
Closed4:2018
Location5:Kings Island
Section5:Coney Mall
Status5:SBNO
Opened5:1994
Closed5:2013
Type:Motion simulator
Custom Label 1:Previously known as
Custom Value 1:Paramount Action F/X Theater (1998–2008)
Days Of Thunder (1994–1997)

The Action Theater is a motion simulator ride that debuted in 1993. It is currently only operating at California's Great America. Located formerly at Canada's Wonderland, Carowinds, Kings Dominion and Kings Island. The attraction was previously known as "Paramount Action F/X Theater" before being renamed following the purchase of the Paramount Parks chain by Cedar Fair in 2006.

History

Action Theater first opened in 1993 at Carowinds and Kings Dominion, operating as a motion simulator themed to the Paramount film Days of Thunder.[1] [2] The following year, the attraction was installed at California's Great America, Canada's Wonderland, and Kings Island.[3]

In 1998, Action Theater was renamed "Paramount Action F/X Theater", and a new James Bond-feature debuted at each location called "James Bond 007: License to Thrill" – a play on the title of an older Bond film called Licence to Kill. Dino Island 3D was shown from 1999 to 2000, Meteor Attack in 2000, and Superstition in 2000 and 2002. In 2001, the theme parks presented The 7th Portal (based on the web comic by Stan Lee) as a three-dimensional ride in which the riders help the Data Raiders fight the Nullifiers.

In 2003, SpongeBob SquarePants 4-D made its debut at all locations. In 2006, The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera was presented. It had been closed after its last run in 2002 at Universal Studios Florida.

In 2008, the theater was renamed Action Theater to remove ties to the Paramount branding, and the action movie signage was replaced with a comic book theme.

In 2013, was being shown at Carowinds and Kings Island, while "Happy Feet: Mumble's Wild Ride" was being shown at California's Great America.[4] Canada's Wonderland's Action Theater featured Monsters of the Deep 3D, and Kings Dominion's featured "The Lost World 3D".[5] The theaters playing Dinosaur-themed films have had the motion seats removed.[6]

In 2015, California's Great America announced that a 4D holographic attraction themed to BioWare's Mass Effect video game (titled ) would debut in a newly renovated Action Theater for the 2016 season.[7] [8] Also in 2015, Carowinds announced a similar renovation of their Action Theatre for 2016. The 3D gaming attraction, named Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare: 3Z Arena, was based on the video game until its closure in 2022.[9]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Hollywood spills over into thrills at amusement parks Thrills & chills. McKerrow. Steve. June 26, 1993. The Baltimore Sun. January 26, 2024.
  2. Book: Rutherford, Scott N.. Kings Dominion. March 16, 2015. Arcadia Publishing. Charleston, SC. 978-1-4671-2301-3. 68.
  3. News: What's new at Ohio's major amusement parks?. Ferguson. William A.. April 24, 1994. The Toledo Blade. E7. June 9, 2015.
  4. Web site: Carowinds Celebrates 40th Birthday Dino-Style. Shockling. Andrea. April 5, 2013. Entertainment Designer. July 21, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20140210024421/http://entertainmentdesigner.com/news/theme-park-design-news/carowinds-celebrates-40th-birthday-dino-style/. February 10, 2014. dead.
  5. Kings Island. "E-Newsletter – Dinosaurs Alive! 3D an Adventure With Teeth!" VisitKingsIsland.com. Cedar Fair Entertainment Company. May 10, 2011, accessed May 10, 2011.
  6. Web site: Sim. Nick. Kings Island's Dinosaurs Alive! 3D movie to be free for 2012 season. Theme Park Tourist. 10 July 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120630055857/http://www.themeparktourist.com/news/20120419/6550/kings-islands-dinosaurs-alive-3d-movie-be-free-2012-season. June 30, 2012. dead.
  7. Web site: Great America Announces New Attraction Featuring Mass Effect Videogame Series for 2016. California's Great America. October 7, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151002033717/https://www.cagreatamerica.com/what-s-new/coming-in-2016. October 2, 2015. dead.
  8. News: Great America, Electronic Arts creating 'Mass Effects' attraction. Zavoral. Linda. September 29, 2015. San Jose Mercury News. October 7, 2015.
  9. News: Carowinds to launch 3-D gaming experience with 'Plants vs. Zombies' theme. October 8, 2015. Charlotte Business Journal.