About us
Welcome to the Dark Ride Database
Theme parks are known for a variety of rides, such as rollercoasters, water rides and carousels. Another popular type of theme park rides are dark rides. These are rides that consist of a transportation system that takes rides through a building with a number of scenes. Dark rides are often highly immersive rides and contain a lot of theming. The purpose of the website is to create an overview of all dark rides and collect as much information as possible about the ride system, theming, manufacturer and much more. Apart from dark rides, the website will collect semi-dark rides (open air transportation systems that enter an enclosed building with scenes at one point) and a category of rides that we dubbed ‘show rides’. Madhouses, simulators and flying theatre-rides will be among this category.
Who are we?
Dark Ride Database was founded by three theme park fans from The Netherlands: Johan, Erik and Luc. Together with friends we have visited several theme parks all over Europe. One of the highlights of the trips were always the Dark Rides. However, we soon found out that it is hard to find information about dark rides online. We have been speculating about it for quite some time, but eventually we decided to start the Dark Ride Database.
Our goals:
In the Dark Ride Database we gather all information that we can find or get about Dark Rides, Semi-Dark Rides and Show Rides and create an overview for all interested visitors of our website. Besides creating an overview, we would like to focus on news items and specials about rides and manufacturers. We also provide a message board for the users of our website to discuss the variety of rides on our database.
We are currently only focusing on existing rides in Europe, as part of Phase I of our website. Future phases will include:
- Phase II (summer 2020): Creation of an archive. The archive will contain all dark rides in Europe that don’t exist any longer.
- Phase III (winter 2020): North America.
- Phase IV (Summer 2021): Rest of the world.
The team:
Name: Johan
Location: The Netherlands
Occupation: IT manager and internal auditor
DRdb occupation: Website developer
What is your favorite Theme Park?
I always think: it is not the Efteling right? But every time I come back there after an international trip I am amazed by the quality of the park. So it would be easy to just say Efteling. Other than that I am a huge fan of Europa Park and Disneyland Paris.
What is your favorite (Semi-)Dark Ride?
I love Symbolica (did the front page picture give that away?) and Fata Morgana is also very good. I’m also fan of Abenteuer Atlantis in Europa Park and Pirates of the Caribbean in Disneyland Paris
What is your favorite Show Ride?
This category should count itself lucky that flying theaters are part of it. Although I don’t mind catching these rides they don’t really work for me. Flying Theaters are great though. The whole experience of Voletarium is great but This is Holland has a slight advantage due to the seating arrangement.
Name: Erik
Location: The Netherlands
Occupation: Mechanical Engineer MRI Equipment
DRdb occupation: Editor
What is your favorite Theme Park?
For years my favorite park was Warner Bros. Movie World Germany and when it transited to Movie Park Germany I tried to keep it that way, but did not succeed. Currently my favorite park is Phantasialand in Germany. However, I still have a soft spot for Movie Park Germany.
What is your favorite (Semi-)Dark Ride?
I always find it hard to choose a favorite ride. I would have to say that I can’t quite decide between Fata Morgana (Efteling) and Phantom Manor (Disneyland Paris).
What is your favorite Show Ride?
Back when I was a kid, it used to be Batman Abenteuer in Warner Bros. Movie World Bottrop. I still like its preceder Time Riders, but Batman was better. Also I can really enjoy madhouses.
Name: Luc
Location: The Netherlands
Occupation: Landscape Architect
DRdb occupation: Editor
What is your favorite Theme Park?
Europa Park
What is your favorite (Semi-)Dark Ride?
Phantom Manor
What is your favorite Show Ride?
Hex
