The definition of a dark ride is a ride that contains a transportation system that takes its riders through a building where a variety of scenes are displayed. A dark ride is (almost) completely enclosed. The station may be located outside of the building (for example: It’s A Small World in Disneyland Paris, France), but no ride elements should take place outside. If a bigger part of the ride or specific elements take place outside of the dark ride building, the ride will be categorized as a semi-dark ride. Small exception to this rule are balconies, that are often found on ghost trains. The balcony is usually out in the open, but small and usually contains no elements. These rides will still categorize as a dark ride. Some non-ghost train dark rides may also feature a small outdoor section and still qualify as a dark ride.

A Semi-Dark Ride is a transportation system that contains of parts with and without dark ride scenes. Most notable, semi-dark rides have large parts that are outdoor, or that do not contain scenes. Enclosed rides with major parts in the dark, without scenes (usually enclosed roller coasters), will classify as as semi-dark ride as long as the ride passes through at least two dark ride scenes. See below in paragraph 3 the definition of a ‘scene’.

(Semi) dark rides are divided in seven types:

1.1 Car ride
Most dark rides are car rides. Cars follow a specific track or path through the building. These cars can be on the ground, suspended, track based or trackless. A car ride generally contains one single vehicle, or two vehicles where a second car attached as a ‘trailer’. When more then two cars are attached to each other, the ride will qualify as either a train ride or an endless chain.

1.2 Train ride
When the transport system consists out of a combination of more than two cars, the ride classifies as a train ride. It is not necessary for the cars to look like a train, as long as the cars are attached to each other.

1.3 Endless chain
An endless chain consists of multiple cars that are all attached to each other and make an infinite loop of cars. These cars won’t stop during normal operations. If one car needs to stop, the complete ride will come to a halt. An omnimover is a specific type of endless chain, see the definition of the feature in paragraph 5.

1.4 Boat ride
Another common dark ride type is the boat ride. This means any type of dark ride that uses a vehicle floating on liquid to transport its riders. This can be both a guided system, like a tow boat system, or a free floating ride system. Boat rides may contain splashes along the way, and some Log Flumes and Rapid Rivers also fall under this category.

1.5 Rollercoaster
Some rollercoasters are partly or completely enclosed and heavily themed. If they contain scenes, they a regarded as (semi)-dark ride. To count as a (semi-)dark ride, the ride comply to the rules for a scene.

1.6 Tower ride
In some rare occasions, a system of a tower ride ride has been fitted in a setting that counts as a dark ride, e.g. includes at least two scenes. A tower ride is a transportation system that will move its riders in a vertical direction.

The definition of a show ride is a ride that is completely enclosed, but do not feature a transportation system. Instead, they do need to feature a certain ride system, though this ride system does not move guests along a ride path. Show rides focus on a certain type of show (that varies between types) and tell a story. Show rides are often highly immersive and contain a special ride system to simulate a certain feeling or vision. Rides that do not feature a ride system (walk-throughs, fun houses and standing theatres) are excluded from this category.

2.1 Madhouse
The Madhouse consists of a large swing, hosting riders, inside a rotating room. By programming both in a sophisticated way, it creates the illusion of guests being turned upside down. The first modern madhouse was a development of the haunted swing and opened in 1996 (Villa Volta, Efteling). Both modern madhouses and haunted swings are counted in the ‘madhouse’ category, with haunted swing being a specific feature (see paragraph 5)

2.2 Simulator
A large group of show rides is created by the ‘simulator’ category. Over the years, various types of simulators have been developed. A simulator usually shows a video, combined with movement of the ride system. A range of features is used to diversify between types of simulators, such as Immersive Tunnel, Motion Simulator and Astroliner (see paragraph 5)
There is a more strict rule for simulators that revolve around VR to qualify for the database. A VR simulator only qualifies for an entry if the storytelling reaches beyond the multimedia (such as the use of a pre-show).

2.3 Flying Theatre
A Flying Theatre is a specific type of motion simulator that is characterised by a large dome screen. Riders are placed in multiple rows facing the screen, generally showing movies that give its riders the sensation of flying.

2.4 Interactive Theatre
The interactive theatre is a cinema-like show ride. Every chair in the theatre has its own weapon and lets all riders simultaneously shoot at the screen.

2.5 Revolving theatre
A revolving theatre is a type of show ride where rotation of either the seating area or the scenes enables the creation of a show with multiple sets. Seating configuration can vary: sometimes riders sit on a rotating platform amidst a circle of scenes, sometimes on a circular platform surrounding a rotating set of scenes, or sometimes on a small platform facing one of the scenes on a circular platform.

2.6 3D Film
A 3D film is a ride using a cinema-like setting for riders to watch a movie using 3D glasses. A 3D film is also a show ride, as some of these installations contain immersive storytelling via pre-shows and theming. A 3D theater with movement in the chairs (reaching from freedom movement to vibrations) will qualify for an entry in this category. 3D theaters without moving chairs are excluded from the database because of the lack of a dedicated ride system.
Websites and parkmaps may list a 3D film under the film that is showing. If the theatre has a specific name, usually found on the building (such as “3D Cinema”), we prefer to refer to that name instead.

An indoor ride does not automatically qualify as a (semi-)dark ride. To qualify, the ride must contain at least two scenes. There can be a lot of discussion on the definition of a scene. The Dark Ride Database uses the characteristics below to define a scene.

• A scene tries to tell you a story or part of a story.
• A scene has moving objects or projections.
• A scene contains sound effects and/or a soundtrack.
• A scene has its own lighting. Daylight is not the main lightsource in the scene.
• A scene has its own room inside the building. The walls of the room are decorated according to the scene.

With these characteristics, we try to filter rides that contain attributes along the ride, from those that contain real scenes. Not every scene in a dark ride will contain all the elements listed above, but usually a dark ride will contain all of them at some point. Indoor rollercoasters like Vogel Rok (Efteling, Netherlands) and Hyperspace Mountain (Disneyland Paris, France) pass attributes during the ride, but lack a real scene inside its own room.

Next to the discussion on what defines a scene, one can also argue about the length of one scene. In other words: when does a ride contain two scenes, or just one large scene? A second scene is defined when there is no point in the ride that a scene can be seen in its entirety. That might also be one large diorama which is too long to view from one point.

Every listing has a specified status, stating whether a ride is operational, closed, or anything in-between. There are five different possible statuses:

Operating – The ride is currently operational

Rethemed – The incarnation of the ride is rethemed to such an extent that the ride is considered a new entry (see below for definition)

Relocated – The entire ride, including both ride system and (a part of) the scenery, is relocated to another park.

SBNO – Standing But Not Operating. The ride still exists, but is no longer operational.

Closed – The ride is closed for good

Especially important is the element or rethemes. As described in the introduction of this page, entries on the Dark Ride Database rely heavily on the combination of ride system and scenery. Therefore, a retheme results in a completely new ride experience, even I the ride system remains untouched. A rethemed dark ride or show ride might be considered a new entry, based on the following criteria.

A (Semi-)Dark Ride is considered rethemed when it meets all three criteria below:

• The ride receives a new name (or subname)
• The theme or storyline of the ride changed
• Scenes have been altered to fit the new theme/storyline

A Show Ride is considered rethemed when it meets all four criteria below:

• The ride receives a new name (or subname)
• The old or the new incarnation contains specific theming in the queue line and/or pre-show to enhance the themed experience
• The theme or storyline of the ride changed
• Scenes have been altered to fit the new theme/storyline

Note that a (semi) dark ride or show ride might be rethemed in such a way that it loses its entry. That happens when for example when a semi-dark ride is rethemed in such a way that only one scene remains (or non at all). In that case the ride’s status is still ‘rethemed’, even though the new version is not included in the Dark Ride Database.

A ride that was rethemed will always keep the ‘rethemed’-status, even if the new installation is later closed for good.

Ride pages contain a ‘Features’ section. This section sums up specific elements or characteristics of that ride. Below you can see a list of all possible features and their definition.

• 3D multimedia – Can be used for any type of ride. These ride features 3D multimedia that requires riders to wear special 3D glasses.
• Astroliner – Type of simulator. The astroliner uses 2 degrees of freedom: tilting and rolling. It’s one of the oldest of all simulator types.
• Free floating – One of two possible types of boat rides. The boat is guided through a canal and propelled by the streaming of the water.
• Ghost Train – A type of dark ride, generally a car ride. The ghost train was, together with the Tunnel of Love, one of the very first dark ride types that existed. A ghost train is car ride that takes you through a number of scenes that try to scare you, often with jump scares. All rides that are executed with the classic feel of a ghost train will receive the ‘Ghost Train’ feature.
• Haunted swing – An early type of madhouse. The haunted swing is characterized generally by year of construction (before 1996), but also by the relatively small size of the swing compared to modern madhouses.
• Immersive tunnel – Type of simulator. An immersive tunnel uses a vehicle that is placed inside a room with projection screens (almost) 360° around the vehicle.
• Interactive – Can be used for any type of ride. This ride has interactive elements where riders have influence on the ride experience.
• Live actors – Can be used for any type of ride. At some point in this experience, you will encounter actors. This may be in a pre-show.
• Log Flume – Type of boat ride. The log flume is a water ride where riders might get wet, and uses long boats where riders (generally) sit behind each other to go along a course with steep drops.
• Motion-based – Feature for car rides. Seats on the cars, or the cars themselves, can move with six degrees of freedom.
• Motion simulator – Type of simulator. Riders take place in a cabin that can move into several directions, simulation a certain motion.
• Omnimover – Variant of the Endless Chain. The difference between a regular endless chain and omnimover is the fact that omnimover cars can rotate 360 degrees on their axis.
• On ride photo – Can be used for any type of ride. This ride contains an on ride photo that can usually be bought after the ride.
• Pre-show – Can be used for any type of ride. This ride contains one or more pre-shows, where guests are stopped in a certain room dedicated to this pre-show, before they enter the ride or main show.
• River rapids – Type of boat ride. River rapids is a water ride where riders might get wet, and uses circular where riders face each other to go along a course with waves and splashes.
• Robocoaster – Specific type of car ride. This dark ride system contains seats on a robotic arm, moving its riders in various directions during the ride.
• Splash – Feature of a boat ride. The ride contains a descent into water. Riders might get wet.
• Suspended – Type of car ride. This car ride is not ground based, but cars are suspended underneath the track.
• Tow-boat – One of two possible types of boat rides. All boats in this type of boat ride are connected to a cable. This cable guides all boats through the ride.
• Trackless – Type of car ride. This ground based car ride has no visible guide rail for the cars to follow.
• Tunnel of love – Type of free floating boat ride. The Tunnel of Love was, together with the Ghost Train, one of the very first dark ride types that existed. A tunnel of love is a classic and nostalgic boat ride. Only original classic rides from before 1930 will receive the ‘Tunnel of Love’ feature.
• Virtual reality – Can be used for any type of ride. The riders are required to wear virtual reality headgear for the ride experience, or have an option for a VR-experience.