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.

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 can have a second car attached as a ‘trailer’ and still count as a car ride. When more cars are attached to each other, the ride will qualify as a train ride.
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 Omnimover
An omnimover is a ride system that was first developed by Walt Disney Imagineering for their ‘Adventure Thru Inner Space’-ride at Disneyland (CA, U.S.A.) that opened in 1967. It consists out of various cars that are all attached to each other and make an infinite loop of cars. These cars won’t stop during normal operations. If they have to stop, the complete ride will stop. An Omnimover is also often called Endless Transit System.
1.4 Boat ride
Also a common dark ride type and probably the oldest one, is the boat ride. They come in various sizes and may contain a splash or not. 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 will receive an entry in the database. Please note that an indoor coaster will not automatically count as a (semi-) dark ride. To count as a dark ride, the ride must pass through at least two scenes.
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. A tower ride is a transportation system that will move its riders in a vertical direction. As long as it contains a transportation system, it will be categorized as a (semi-) dark ride and not a show ride.

A Semi-Dark Ride is a transportation system that contains both parts with and without dark ride scenes. Most notable semi-dark rides have large outdoor parts, but also enclosed rides with major parts in the dark or 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. The types of transportation systems for semi-dark rides are the same as dark rides.

The third category of the Dark Ride Database devotes itself to what we call ‘show rides’. These are rides that are completely enclosed, but do not feature a transportation system. Instead, they 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.

3.1 Madhouse
The Madhouse was designed as an improved version of the haunted swing. Some versions appeared in the early ’90s, but the concept was improved and populized by Vekoma and Efteling in 1996 for Villa Volta. Nowadays, Vekoma and Mack Rides are both suppliers of Madhouse rides.
3.2 Simulator
The most known version of the simulator is the motion simulator. Over the years, more simulators have been developed, such as Immersive Tunnels, but also Virtural Reality based simulators. A simulator usually shows a video, combined with movement.
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).
3.3 Flying Theatre
A Flying Theatre is a specific type of motion simulator that deserves its own entry. People are sitting above each other instead of behind. Flying Theatres usually show movies that give its riders the sensation of flying.
3.4 3D Film
The most common version of the show ride is the 3D film. It is usually a theatre with seats that serve as a cinema. You will need to put on 3D glasses to view the film. 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 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.
3.5 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. The multimedia can be both 2D or 3D. Movement in the seats is no longer required to qualify.

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 and in the end there still can be a thin line between a qualification or not. Sometimes it is also the way the ride feels. However, we have made some characteristics that could 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.

Every listing has a specified status, stating whether a ride is operational, closed, or anything in-between. Especially important is the element or rethemes. As described in paragraph 1, 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. 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:

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

A Show Ride is considered rethemed when:

• 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
• AND scenes have been altered to fit the new theme/storyline

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. 
• 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

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. If you have any questions about the features of rides, please e-mail us at [email protected].

• • 3D Multimedia – This ride features 3D multimedia that requires you to wear special 3D glasses.
  • Free Floating –When a boat ride is guided through a canal and propelled by the streaming of the water, the boat will receive the Free Floating feature.
  • Ghost Train – 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. This classic ride is still operating in many parks in a variety of names. All rides that are executed with the classic feel of a ghost train will receive the ‘Ghost Train’ feature.
  • Immersive Tunnel – This is a type of simulator where a vehicle is placed inside a room with projection screens 180° around the vehicle.
  • Interactive – This ride has interactive elements where riders have influence on the ride experience.
  • Live actors – At some point in this ride, you will encounter actors. This may be in a pre-show.
  • Log Flume – The log flume is one of the most popular water rides in amusement parks and often used for a (semi-)dark ride. Riders might get wet.
  • Motion-Based – Car ride system where the seats on the car can move with six degrees of freedom.
  • Motion Simulator – Most classic version of the simulator. Riders take place in a cabin that can move into several directions. 
  • On Ride Photo – This ride contains an on ride photo that can usually be bought after the ride.
  • Pre-show – This ride contains one or more pre-shows before you enter the ride or main show.
  • River Rapids – The river rapids ride is wild streaming river with round boats. Riders might get wet.
  • Robocoaster – This dark ride system contains seats on a robotic arm, moving its riders in various directions during the ride.
  • Splash – This boat ride contains a descent into water. Riders might get wet.
  • Suspended – This car ride is not ground based, but cars are suspended underneath the track. Please note that it is common with rollercoasters to distinguish a difference between suspended (cars can swing under the track) and inverted (cars are fixed to the track). The DRdb does not distinguish a difference. Both are called suspended.
  • Tow-Boat – All boats in this type of boat ride are connected to a cable. This cable guides all boats through the ride.
  • Trackless – This ground based car ride has no visible guide rail for the cars to follow.
  • Tunnel of Love – 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 – The riders are required to wear virtual reality headgear for the ride experience, or have an option for a VR-experience.

Even though we have set several rules and guidelines, it is still not always a clear line when we determine if a ride should qualify for an entry in the database. Therefore we have made two lists of rides that are often discussed. The first list contains rides that do not qualify for an entry on our website. The list also has a column that explains why. The second list contains rides that do have an entry in the database, but some qualifications of the ride are highly discussable. Both can be found here.