A recent dive into my stash of digital photos gave me renewed appreciation for 2016, a bustling theme park year in Central Florida. Sure, it’s not as significant as, oh, 1971 or even the late ‘80s and ’90s era, but there were a lot of moving parts that still bring joy today.
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And there were unusual moments, such as the period when three of Walt Disney World’s parks were staging nightly fireworks shows. Disney’s Animal Kingdom tried out nighttime safaris. Plus, there were major projects in the works, including the DAK’s Pandora – The World of Avatar land and Universal’s Volcano Bay.
The flashback machine is cranked up again for this 2016 overview.
Mighty Mako
SeaWorld Orlando opened Mako roller coaster, which it touted as the fastest (70 mph), tallest (200 feet), longest (4,700 feet) coaster in town. It held all three of those superlatives until Stardust Racers — and its 5,000 feet (times 2) of rail — opened at Epic Universe last year.
Elsa and elsewhere
Disney leaned into the popularity of its “Frozen” franchise, launched in 2013, with Epcot’s Frozen Ever After, a replacement ride for the once-maligned, now-mysteriously beloved Maelstrom, which closed in 2014. The attraction added upgraded animatronics for Elsa, Anna and Kristoff this year.
Elsewhere at Epcot, a fresh Soarin’ film was installed with an international flair, a new Soarin’ Around the World title and a third theater to slice wait times. This year, we got another new film — called Soarin’ Across America — that blasts off with a scene of an Artemis rocket going up at Kennedy Space Center.
Kong confrontation
Skull Island: Reign of Kong brought the king back to Universal with a trackless ride-through attraction in an island unto itself at Islands of Adventure. Among its features: a variety of animatronics, from the batty Terapusmordax to the roaring Kong head and back into the queue with a chanting Shawoman. (During soft opening, I wrongheadedly referred to the figure as a “manly witch” in print.)
Somehow, my grade for Skull Island improved after the similar Fast & Furious: Supercharged opened next door at Universal Studios in 2018.
Back in ‘16, IOA also completed the dramatic retooling of its Incredible Hulk coaster. All of its rail was replaced, new trains with on-board speakers were introduced and smooth status returned to the thrill ride.
Coiled
There was yet another coaster in the 2016 news, as Cobra’s Curse debuted at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. It’s known for its 80-foot snake statue of King Venymyss (sound it out) and a ton of spinning.
Adding zip
Gatorland opened the Gator Gauntlet, a wheelchair-accessible stretch of zip lines. And like its Screamin’ Gator Zip Line, the route travels over the park’s breeding marsh and more than 100 alligators. The reaction of the new zip line users was so intense that the scene became the lead anecdote in my 2016 year-in-review.
Springs forward
Another big chunk of the Disney Springs expansion debuted, including the Lime Garage, STK, Morimoto, Homecomin’ (then known as Homecoming) and Sprinkles with its cupcake ATM. The last one went out of business this year, and already it feels like we dreamed up that sweet ATM, like our ancestors won’t believe it, as if it were as crazy as a giant turntable dance floor.
In the Sentinel files, I was reminded that Imagineers said the Town Center neighborhood of the Springs was painted in 15 shades of white to make it look well-worn.
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Sweet talk
Universal’s CityWalk added the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and its lineup of a dozen special milkshakes, currently including ones called Heavenly Hazelnut (with Nutella) and Espresso Buzzzz. The sugar shock lives on.
Faire play
“Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire,” a character-driven stage show, debuted at the foot of Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle. It’s another use of the “Frozen” folks, as well as troupes from “Tangled” and “The Princess and the Frog,” including trumpet-playing alligator Louis.
Orange you glad
Orlando Science Center expanded KidsTown and its trademark orange grove and packing factory, which continues to keep the younger set working. (Fun flashback fact from the archives: the factory is a salute to Dr. P. Phillips’ first factory in Orlando, which was mere blocks away at the corner of Princeton Street and — predictably — Orange Avenue.)
The old lower-level KidsTown is now the Life exhibit, home of tamarin, sloth, reef fish, turtles, squirrels and free-flying birds,
VR x HHN
Ah, the virtual-reality era, which early on featured a Halloween Horror Nights add-on called the Repository at Universal Studios. For $49, folks were issued headsets to solve a mystery among live actors.
This preceded the installation of VR headsets on coasters at Fun Spot Orlando, Legoland Florida, and SeaWorld Orlando’s Kraken. None of these stuck around, perhaps because people like to look at each other.
The end
But 2016 saw some theme-park departures.
The Main Street Electrical Parade again rolled away from Magic Kingdom.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, preparation for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge ended the runs of Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Playground and the fun-to-say Youse Guys Moychindice store. Also removed: the park’s signature Earffel Tower.
Finally, on the last day of 2016, Wet ‘n Wild water park closed forever. Universal’s Endless Summer Resort now stands on that land, including its parking lot.
Star turns
In spring of ‘16, Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler visited Hollywood Studios, and one ride in particular. A post on his Facebook page said, “Just checking in on my Rockin Rollercoaster! Still the best ride in the place.” He also posted a picture at Hogwarts Castle at Islands of Adventure.
Another star visitor was Tina Fey. Disney posed her with Lady Tremaine and her wicked offspring Anastasia and Drizella. It was a “Mean Girls” thing.
Email me at [email protected]. BlueSky: @themeparksdb. Threads account: @dbevil. X account: @themeparks. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.
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