Category: The Ride Advisor

Refurbishment or Replacement?

Refurbishment or Replacement?

Romee Popelier

Refurbishment or Replacement?

When is it time to upgrade an attraction?
And when is it time to start over?

Refurbishment or replacement? This is a very common question every park operator has to ask themselves when a ride is nearing the end of its lifespan. In the attractions industry, rides rarely stay unchanged forever. At some point, almost every operator faces the same question.

It’s a decision that goes far beyond the technical condition alone. Available budgets, guest expectations, operational costs, capacity, storytelling and long-term strategy all play a role.

And in today’s market, where investment levels continue to rise and more complex permit processes are in place, making the right choice at the right moment has become more important than ever.

infill attractions
Ferris Wheel Revision - Ferris Wheels

When refurbishment makes sense

A refurbishment can be a very effective strategy when an attraction’s fundamentals remain strong.

That can mean:

  • A technically reliable ride system
  • A layout or footprint that still works within the park
  • Sufficient capacity for the target audience
  • An attraction that can be refreshed through theming, storytelling or new ride vehicles

In those situations, refurbishment can offer a strong balance between investment and impact.

Guests often perceive the attraction as “new enough,” especially when visual upgrades, updated trains or vehicles, lighting, audio, effects or thematic improvements are introduced successfully.

For operators, refurbishment can also offer several practical advantages:

  • Lower investment compared to a complete replacement
  • Less impact on existing infrastructure
  • Shorter development timelines
  • Reduced permitting complexity in some cases

Especially now, with increasing construction costs and longer project lead times, refurbishment is becoming more relevant again.

When replacement becomes the better option

At the same time, there comes a point where refurbishment no longer solves the core issue.

Sometimes the limitations are technical:

  • Aging ride systems
  • Increasing maintenance requirements
  • Reliability concerns
  • Difficulty sourcing spare parts

But often, the decision becomes strategic rather than technical.

Guest expectations continue to evolve. Attractions that once felt exciting can lose their drawing power over time, regardless of visual upgrades.

In those cases, a completely new attraction can:

  • Generate renewed attention
  • Create new marketing opportunities
  • Improve operational efficiency
  • Increase capacity or throughput
  • Better support the future direction of the park

And sometimes, parks simply need a genuinely new reason for guests to return.

Zweefmolen Toverland
Wave Swinger 10 m

There is no universal answer

Both refurbishment and replacement can be successful strategies.

A well-executed refurbishment can extend the lifespan of an attraction for many years and create strong value with relatively controlled investment.

At the same time, replacement can become necessary when technical limitations, guest expectations or long-term park strategy demand a completely fresh start.

With investment levels, operational costs and guest expectations continue to evolve, this discussion will likely become even more relevant across the industry in the years ahead.

Planning to replace or refurbish one of your rides?

Contact us

Tell us your ideas! 

The Power of Infill Attractions

The Power of Infill Attractions

Romee Popelier

The Power of Infill Attractions

A different approach

Infill Attractions are the new trendsetters. In our industry, much of the focus still goes to big headline attractions. Logical because they drive attention and can put a park on the map.

At the same time, we see more parks looking inward. Not necessarily expanding but focusing on how to get more value out of the space they already have. That’s exactly where infill attractions come in.

They’re not the reason guests choose your park, but they do strongly influence how guests experience it once they’re there.

infill attractions
Turntable Carousel

Not just a gap filler

Infil attractions are no longer the gap filler they once were. Where they used to be added purely for capacity or to fill empty space, they are now increasingly part of the overall experience. 

With the right theming and placement, they contribute to storytelling, atmosphere, and the overall quality of an area. Guests don’t see them as secondary, they experience the park as a whole. 

Easier to implement

Compared to large attractions, infills are relatively straightforward. Most are based on proven, off-the-shelf ride systems. That means less custom engineering, shorter development timelines, and lower design costs compared to large-scale rides like roller coasters or dark rides. 

At the same time, “standard” doesn’t mean generic. With the right theming and integration, an off-the-shelf ride can fully match the identity of an area and feel unique within the park.

 

Presenting something new without expanding the park

Expanding beyond park boundaries has become more complex than ever. Permits, regulations, environmental impact, and stakeholder processes often lead to long and uncertain timelines.

At the same time, guests expect something new not every five years, but every season. Infill attractions offer a practical way to respond to that.

They allow parks to continuously add new elements within existing boundaries, keeping the experience fresh and relevant without relying on large, time-consuming expansion projects or major investments.

Increasing dwell time and secondary spending

While infill attraction may not be the primary driver of audience, their impact inside the park is significant.

Strategically placed, they encourage guests to: 

  • Keep guests longer in specific areas
  • Encourage exploration beyond the main rides
  • Support nearby food, beverage and retail outlets
Ferris Wheel

Strengten the atmosphere accross the park

A strong park experience is not just about the main attractions, it’s about what happens in between. Infill attractions bring movement, energy, and activity into an area. They help avoid dead zones and make spaces feel alive.

Because ultimately, a themed area works best when everything comes together: rides in motion, people interacting, F&B outlets active, that’s what creates atmosphere. Infill attractions play a key role in that dynamic.

A smart, scalabe investment

We shouldn’t underestimate the investment required for infill attractions today but compared to major rides, they offer a much more accessible way to keep developing your park.

  • Faster to implement
  • Lower in overall risk
  • Flexible in placement and theming
  • Effective in improving the overall guest experience

At RP Rides, we see infill attractions not as secondary additions, but as opportunities to elevate the park experience in a smart and scalable way.

My recommended infill attractions

Carousels

Family Rides

Kiddie Rides

Curious what our infill attractions can do at your park?

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Tell us your ideas! 

The Rise of Hybrid Water Parks

The Rise of Hybrid Water Parks

Romee Popelier

The Rise of Hybrid Water Parks

A new Ride Mix

Over the past years, I’ve noticed something interesting within our industry. Water parks traditionally focused on slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers , but are increasingly integrating mechanical dry rides into their concepts. I remember my first visit to Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi back in 2014, riding the first inverted coaster featuring water cannons.

At first, this trend was mainly visible in large-scale destination projects. Major developments in the Middle East, as well as resort-style destinations in Europe, started blending traditional water attractions with splash rides, roller coasters, and flat rides. 

But what caught my attention is that these “hybrid water parks” are not a new trend; they’re now popping up in other regions, too.

The model has existed for year

In the United States, many amusement parks have long combined dry and wet attractions under one ticket.

Operators such as Six Flags, Holiday World & Hersheypark allow guests to move freely between roller coasters, flat rides, water coasters, lazy rivers, and slide complexes within the same park. Many American park visitors are used to this hybrid format. The line between “water park” and “amusement park” has been blurred for years. Back in 2015, working as a “Dutchie” at Hersheypark, I always found it an interesting combination as I had never seen in before.

What feels different today is that standalone water parks, particularly outside the U.S., are starting to explore similar thinking. It looks like this trend is finally spreading over to other parts of the world.

Why is this relevant?

Adding mechanical rides does not mean replacing traditional water attractions. Slides remain the core identity of a water park. But in a market where many parks offer similar experiences, even a small addition can have a noticeable impact.

What I find interesting is how even relatively small dry rides can influence the overall park dynamics. A well-placed ride can help balance guest distribution across the park, especially during peak moments. It adds variety to the overall experience without requiring major changes to the park layout.

It also introduces moments in the guest journey that are less dependent on high-intensity water attractions. In practice, this often supports increased dwell time, particularly for families and mixed groups, while creating more opportunities for secondary spending in surrounding F&B and retail outlets.

In markets where water parks are becoming comparable, such shifts can make a real difference.

Wave Swing Boat Ride

Where is this heading?

That’s the part I find most interesting. Will this remain something primarily for large-scale resort destinations as we see at the moment? Or will mid-sized and regional water parks start adopting selective “dry” elements as part of their long-term strategy?

I don’t believe every water park will suddenly install roller coasters. But I do believe more operators are starting to think beyond traditional category boundaries. Not only in the water park industry but in the entire leisure industry. The boundaries for where mechanical rides can be installed are getting blurry.

From my position in the dry ride segment, it’s fascinating to see water parks gradually opening up to new possibilities. I’m curious to see how far this hybrid model will develop in the coming years.

Photo credits: Hersheypark, Yas Waterworld

My recommended attractions for Hybrid Water Parks

Splash Rides

Family Rides

Flume Rides

Curious how dry rides make your water park future-proof?

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Tell us your ideas! 

Cruise Ship Attractions: The new standard in Cruise Entertainment

Cruise Ship Attractions: The new standard in Cruise Entertainment

Romee Popelier

Cruise Ship Attractions: The new standard in Cruise Entertainment

Entertainment at Sea

The cruise industry is rapidly evolving into one of the most dynamic markets within the global leisure and attractions industry. What was once mainly about transport and hospitality has evolved into a fully fledged, entertainment-driven business. For me, as a ride consultant and attraction developer, this shift is becoming increasingly relevant as more cruise ship attractions open.

From my perspective as a ride consultant, recent firsthand experiences have only reinforced this view. In September, I visited MSC World Europa, and in November, I spent time on Star of the Seas from Royal Caribbean. Seeing these ships up close makes one thing clear: cruise ship attractions are no longer secondary features, they are strategic assets becoming more important. And after visiting them with IAAPA, I want to book a cruise 😉

cruise ship attractions
cruise ship attractions

The Rise of Cruise Ship Entertainment

Cruise lines such as Disney, MSC, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Carnival are investing heavily in new ships. While scale and capacity continue to grow, the real focus is on experience. Live entertainment, attractions and guest engagement have moved to the core of the cruise value proposition.

Modern cruise ships now feature a wide range of attractions and entertainment elements that are familiar from theme parks, water parks, and family entertainment centers:

  • Thrill rides and signature attractions
  • Large-scale water attractions and water coasters
  • Family rides and interactive experiences
  • Live shows and entertainment
  • Unique “instagrammable” retail and food & beverage concepts

In many ways, these vessels function as compact, high-density leisure destinations that operate 24/7 and serve multiple target groups simultaneously.

Private islands and the expansion of the ecosystem

Beyond the ships themselves, cruise lines are increasingly investing in private islands and exclusive destinations. These locations are designed as controlled extensions of the onboard experience, allowing operators to keep entertainment, retail, and food & beverage fully within their own ecosystem.

Many of these destinations feature structured guest flows, themed environments, and water attraction-based experiences, further strengthening the link between cruise ships and land-based leisure development.

For the attractions industry, this expands the scope of cruise-related projects beyond the ship alone. It is a matter of time until we see (small) mechanical rides popping up here as well.

cruise ship attractions
Cruise

Looking ahead

Based on what I’ve seen over the past year, cruise ship entertainment will continue to grow in scale, ambition, and importance. The lines between cruise ships, theme parks, resorts, and family entertainment centers are becoming increasingly blurred.

As a ride consultant in the global attractions industry, I find understanding these developments essential. Cruise ships are positioning themselves as complete leisure destinations, and that makes them a market worth following closely. We have the right tools in-house to create experiences for resorts & cruises.

Photo credits: Carnival, Norwegian & MSC

My recommended attractions for Resorts & Cruises

Family Rides

Carousels

Kiddie Rides

Curious about how attractions can boost your resort or cruise?

Contact us

Tell us your ideas! 

The real investment behind a water ride

The real investment behind a water ride

Romee Popelier

The real investment behind a good water ride

When a theme park plans to install a water ride, whether it’s a rapid river, log flume, or splash ride. One of the first questions we get is:

What will it cost?

Spoiler alert: there is no one-size-fits-all answer. But we can give you a good idea of what’s involved in a water ride investment.

The ride system we design and manufacture is only part of the picture. The real investment goes far beyond boats and channels. Let’s break it down:

Log Flume Ride - Hafema Water Rides - Water Parks

1. The Ride System

At RP Rides, we provide our clients with the ride system from Hafema Water Rides. This includes boats, pumps, lifts, conveyor systems, chutes, and special elements. We deliver the whole design & engineering scope of the ride system, including the layout design, control system, hydraulic calculations, and mechanical. & electrical engineering. This is the heart of your ride but only the beginning.

2. Civil works

A significant portion of the budget is allocated to on-site construction. This primarily includes the production of concrete channels. Additionally, all necessary buildings, such as a station, a filtration building, and a queue area or pre-show building.

3. Don't forget the magic

Let’s be honest, without theming, even the best-designed water ride looks.. unfinished. To blend the ride into the environment and match it with the concept of your park. We always recommend setting aside a solid budget to theme the ride. This includes additional theming to the boats, special spray concrete, animatronics, lights, audio, and landscaping.

4. Water treatment & filtration

Moving large volumes of water safely requires investing in pumps, filters, and water quality monitoring systems. While the main pumps are part of the ride system’s scope. The client is responsible for arranging their own filtration system and must comply with the local health and safety regulations.

5. Safety

Safety is another key area that requires planning and investment. This included evacuation routes, certification procedures, CCTV surveillance, maintenance walkways, and other systems needed for both guest and operator safety. In most countries, third-party inspections are required before a ride can open to the public.

6. Installation & integration

Once everything is designed and manufactured, the full system must be shipped, installed, and integrated on-site. This includes transporting equipment, assembling the ride on location, and coordinating with cranes, scaffolding, and local contractors. Installation is rarely plug-and-play; it requires a skilled team and detailed planning to make sure all systems are aligned and commissioned correctly within the park’s infrastructure.

Zoos & Aquariums

7. Staffing & training

Operating a water ride isn’t just about the ride system, it’s about the people who run it. Your team will need trained ride operators, attendants, maintenance crews, and in some cases, even a dedicated rescue team, depending on local regulations. Staffing and proper training are essential to ensuring the attraction runs smoothly and safely every day.

8. Energy Use & long-term maintenance

Water rides are often among the most energy-intensive attractions in a park. Even though our rides are designed with operational efficiency in mind, making optimal use of the pump capacity, there are still long-term maintenance requirements to keep performance and reliability high. Pumps, sensors, and theming elements all require regular inspection and upkeep. This is something we’ll cover in more detail in a separate blog post soon.

What's the number at the bottom line?

Building a water ride is a serious investment, not only in money, but in planning, coordination, and long-term operations. It’s also one of the most impactful ways to anchor a themed area, draw in crowds, and create unforgettable guest moments.

At RP Rides, we don’t just sell rides. We help you build experiences, from first sketch to final splashdown. We can support you in every stage of your water ride project.

Curious about your water ride investment?

Contact us

Tell us your water ride ideas! 

The largest Ferris wheels in the world and lessons for your own Ferris wheel business

The largest Ferris wheels in the world and lessons for your own Ferris wheel business

Romee Popelier

The largest Ferris wheels in the world and lessons for your own Ferris wheel business

Icons in the sky

Every week, I receive requests from people with business ideas for a Ferris wheel. Usually, it starts with something like: “We saw the London Eye or the one in Dubai during our holiday, can we do something like that?” That enthusiasm is exactly what I love about working in this business. But I’ve also learned through many conversations and projects. People often focus on the inspiration but miss some key realities when turning the idea into a functioning attraction.

This blog isn’t a blueprint or one-size-fits-all solution. It’s just a set of my personal insights I often share when people ask for my advice. Based on what we can learn from the world’s biggest Ferris wheels, and how those principles apply just as well to more compact wheels.

The High Roller Las Vegas
Singapore Flyer

1. Ain Dubai - Dubai, UAE (250 m)

The world’s tallest Ferris Wheel is located on Bluewater Island in Dubai. It features VIP cabins and event spaces with views of Dubai’s skyline and the Arabian Gulf.

2. High Roller - Las Vegas, USA (167 m)

A Las Vegas attraction known for its events, cabin weddings, private parties, and cocktail experiences above the Strip.

3. Singapore Flyer - Singapore (165 m)

Located in the famous Marina Bay area, offering views of the Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, and Singapore Street. Guests can enjoy unique experiences, such as champagne tastings, private parties, and dining in the sky.

4. Star of Nanchang - Nanchang, China (160 m)

The Star of Nanchang in Nanchang, China, offers views of the Ganjiang River and the city. It’s part of Nanchang Star Amusement Park.

5. Bailang River Bridge Ferris Wheel - Weifang, Shandong, China (145 m)

The largest spokesless observation wheel in the world. Built on the Bailang River bridge in China.

6. Sun of Moscow - Moscow, Russia (140 m)

Since 2022, the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe, located at the VDNKh park. The wheel is part of a larger entertainment complex including a shopping mall, restaurants, and other outdoor attractions.

7. The Londen Eye - London, UK (135 m)

Perhaps the most famous Ferris wheel in the world, the London Eye has been a landmark of the UK capital since 2000. It provides views of London’s skyline and is part of Merlin’s attraction cluster.

London Eye

What can we learn from the tallest Ferris Wheels?

1. Safety first

Ferris wheels are designed and manufactured according to the highest industry standards. However, it is essential to understand and comply with (additional) local regulations thoroughly.

  • Be aware of your obligations regarding permits, inspections, and ride certifications.

  • Safety isn’t optional. It’s the foundation of your whole operations and is often required by law.

2. Location is key

Every successful Ferris wheel benefits from a smart, strategic location. It’s not just about being visible.

  • Select a location with high foot traffic, such as tourist zones, city centers, or waterfronts that are easily accessible.
  • There must be something to see from the top, such as landmarks, skylines, or nature.
  • Avoid placing the wheel next to tall buildings that can block views or overshadow the Ferris wheel.

3. Prepare your operations

Although a Ferris wheel is not the most complex ride to operate, it is often underestimated by many prospects. As they focus more on the potential revenue the wheel will generate.

  • For maximum revenue generation and guest satisfaction, a well-trained operational team is essential.
  • A skilled maintenance crew for daily inspections, reducing downtimes, and keeping the wheel in top condition.

  • Know your procedures and involve local authorities, such as the fire department, to understand your business and handle efficiently in case of an emergency.

4. Multiply the product

A Ferris wheel doesn’t have to be a one-dimensional ride. Maximize commercial potential by diversifying the ways people experience it for year-round exploitation.

  • Offer special experiences like VIP cabins, private dining, or exclusive event options.
  • Create combo tickets with local attractions or bundle with food & beverage deals.

  • Organize seasonal events during Christmas, summer, or local occasions.

5. Use the wheel as a marketing tool

Ferris wheels are visual magnets, so use them as a marketing tool.

  • Light it up with custom colors, sponsor logos, or animated effects and generate sponsor revenue.
  • Turn the structure into a social media hotspot.

  • Attract attention even before guests get on.

Let's build your Ferris wheel business

Even a smaller Ferris wheel can create a significant impact if it’s well-placed, well-operated, and effectively marketed.

Want to discuss what it takes to turn your idea into an icon? I’m happy to share more insights, challenges, and experience to help you get it right from the start.

Our most popular Ferris wheels

Ferris Wheel 46 m

Ferris Wheel 33 m Deluxe

Ferris Wheel 33 m

Ferris Wheel 22 m

Thinking about placing a Ferris wheel?

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Make sure yours is built on more than just a good idea.