By Jim Carchidi
Three entertainment properties are set to make their first appearance in the Central Florida tourism community. A beloved Jim Henson creation will open a new show at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex next month while a Mattel toy-themed water park and a Top Gun thrill ride are in development for future Orlando locations.
Weatherproof water park
Mattel, Inc. is planning five water park destinations featuring its iconic toy brands – and roofs. The company announced last week that Mattel Wonder Indoor Waterparks is in development with Orlando-based Martin Aquatic, American Resort Management, and immersive experience designer, I-dentity Group. The first property will open in Orlando but the location and a construction timeline have yet to be revealed.
Mattel Wonder Indoor Waterparks will open after two planned Mattel Adventure Parks that will showcase the toy brands as attractions. Image courtesy of Mattel
According to a company statement, the parks will integrate Mattel toy brands including Barbie and Hot Wheels with lazy rivers, wave pools, and waterslides. The water parks will be preceded by Mattel Adventure Park locations that will showcase the creative potential for the toy brands as theme park attractions. Opening in Arizona and Kansas, the adventure parks will each begin with an interactive Barbie Beach House and two Hot Wheels coaster rides with more attractions planned.
Among Martin Aquatic’s project portfolio are Universal Orlando’s Volcano Bay and a 75,000 square-foot expansion to Wisconsin Dells’ Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, which will feature a retractable glass roof when it opens next year.
Fraggles in space
Jim Henson’s Fraggles will explore NASA’s space program in a new show at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Opening Dec. 22, Fraggle Rock: A Space-y Adventure will follow beloved characters as they learn about the Artemis missions and meet a member of the Exploration Ground Systems crew and an International Space Station astronaut.
Characters from Jim Henson's Fraggle Rock will lead an educational journey into NASA's Artemis program. Image courtesy of The Jim Henson Company
The production, set in the Visitors Complex 300-seat Universe Theater, features full-body “walk-around” versions of Gobo, Red, and Uncle Traveling Matt with puppet versions of the Doozers; all fabricated by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. The show is included with admission and will hold two daily performances, 12:30 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. The Fraggles will also appear in a character breakfast during the Holidays in Space event, running Dec. 21-30, except Christmas Day.
Into the danger zone
Interactive multimedia company Advent Entertainment, LLC announced a partnership with simulator ride manufacturer Simtec Systems GmbH for a Las Vegas Strip-based thrill ride featuring Paramount Pictures' Top Gun film franchise. But an Orlando location is part of the conversation.
Top Gun Las Vegas will be the first concept location with a possible Orlando flagship to follow. Image courtesy of Paramount Global
Top Gun Las Vegas is expected to open in 2028 as part of a multi-level entertainment complex with a restaurant, bar, interactive zones, and the Top Gun thrill ride. According to a statement by Simtec Systems GmbH CEO Andreas Stickel, the firm will produce, “breathtaking, realistic flight action for the first time in an e-ticket attraction, and we will push the limits of what is physically possible."
Advent Entertainment also states that future locations are being evaluated with a flagship potentially coming to Orlando.
In other news
The announcements come as two local theme parks detailed upcoming attractions at IAAPA Expo 2025 at Orange County Convention Center. SeaWorld Orlando unveiled the new ride vehicle for its SeaQuest: Legends of the Deep dark ride and Legoland Florida detailed plans for the Galacticoaster thrill ride. The year’s Jollywood Nights holiday events are up and running at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Universal Orlando Resort’s Holiday Celebration events kicked off last week.
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