Action Theater
Action Theater at Kings Island
California's Great America
AreaAll American Corners
StatusOperating
Opening date1994
Canada's Wonderland
AreaFrontier Canada
StatusClosed
Opening date1994
Closing date2019
Replaced bySpirit Manor(2015-Present)
Carowinds
AreaCrossroads
StatusClosed
Opening date1993
Closing date2022
Kings Dominion
AreaInternational Street
StatusClosed
Opening date1993
Closing date2018
Replaced byCondemned(2018-Present)
Kings Island
AreaConey Mall
StatusClosed
Opening date1994
Closing date2013
Replaced byUrgent Scare(2008-2019)/ Hotel St. Michelle(2022-present)
Ride statistics
Attraction typeMotion simulator
Previously known asParamount 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 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, Dinosaurs: Giants of Patagonia 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 Mass Effect: New Earth) 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 is based on the Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare video game and named Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare: 3Z Arena until its closure in 2022.[9]

References

  1. ↑ McKerrow, Steve (June 26, 1993). "Hollywood spills over into thrills at amusement parks Thrills & chills". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  2. ↑ Rutherford, Scott N. (March 16, 2015). Kings Dominion. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. p. 68. ISBN 978-1-4671-2301-3.
  3. ↑ Ferguson, William A. (April 24, 1994). "What's new at Ohio's major amusement parks?". The Toledo Blade. p. E7. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  4. ↑ Shockling, Andrea (April 5, 2013). "Carowinds Celebrates 40th Birthday Dino-Style". Entertainment Designer. Archived from the original on February 10, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  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. ↑ Sim, Nick. "Kings Island's Dinosaurs Alive! 3D movie to be free for 2012 season". Theme Park Tourist. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  7. ↑ "Great America Announces New Attraction Featuring Mass Effect Videogame Series for 2016". California's Great America. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  8. ↑ Zavoral, Linda (September 29, 2015). "Great America, Electronic Arts creating 'Mass Effects' attraction". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Carowinds to launch 3-D gaming experience with 'Plants vs. Zombies' theme". Charlotte Business Journal. October 8, 2015.
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