If you were a young child with an overactive imagination in the mid-nineties, you probably still remember the sense of fear you felt after seeing the original “Jumanji” film when it was released in 1995. Fans of the movie franchise will soon be able to experience the thrill of the immersive fictional game at theme parks across the globe.
In case you need a refresher, “Jumanji, ” which starred Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, Kirsten Dunst and Bradley Pierce, told the story of a board game of the same name. This wasn’t an ordinary board game, though. A roll of the dice could land you inside an alternate jungle universe or — and we’re not sure which is worse — bring the serpents, lions and other dangers of the game into ours.
Though it makes sense a movie about children playing a board game would be marketed to children, Roger Ebert stated in his review of the film that it was “about as appropriate for smaller children as, say, ‘Jaws.'”
Nevertheless, the film was a box office hit and led to a pair of similarly successful sequels – “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” in 2017 and “Jumanji” The Next Level” in 2019, helmed by Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart and Karen Gillian.
Now, thanks to a partnership between Sony Pictures Entertainment and themed entertainment brand Merlin Entertainments, you can enter the world of Jumanji in a series of attractions and experiences coming to theme parks and water parks across the globe…if you’re brave enough to play the game.
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The world’s first Jumanji ride will open April 2 in Italy
Gardaland Resort in Ronchi, Italy, home to a theme park, Legoland Water Park, Sea Life Aquarium and multiple on-site hotels, will soon be home to the world’s first Jumanji-themed ride. On “Jumanji — the Adventure,” riders will board four-wheel-drive off-road vehicles and navigate a dangerous jungle while attempting to break the game’s curse. During this dark ride journey, guests will encounter a gargantuan animatronic stone giant who appears to be dead set on ensuring you don’t make it out alive.
Related: Planning a trip to Italy? Here’s how to get there on points and miles
When the ride opens on April 2, 2022, Gardaland will simultaneously launch a series of fully-themed Jumanji hotel bedrooms for guests who want to eat, sleep and breathe Jumanji.
Additional Jumanji-themed attractions are on the way
“Jumanji – the Adventure” is just the first of many Jumanji-themed attractions in the works for this partnership. A March 17, 2022 press release stated that there is “a second activation already in development at a different theme park for a 2023 launch.
Official dates, locations and details have not yet been released for other projects being planned. However, Merlin, which has existing partnerships with brands like Lego, Peppa Pig, Marvel and more, announced in the press release that they are planning a full roster of attractions, lands, rides, retail outlets and themed hotel rooms themed to the hit film franchise in their theme parks and water parks in Europe and North America.
Where might we see additional Jumanji attractions?
According to Merlin Entertainments’ chief development officer, Mark Fisher, the Merlin team is “already hard at work developing brilliant creative concepts, which will bring to life the blockbuster-famous “Jumanji” film across our theme parks and waterparks.”
Merlin operates more than 135 themed attractions and experiences around the world, including Legoland theme parks and water parks, Madame Tussauds wax museums, Heide Park in Germany and Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures theme parks in the UK.
Any of these could be possible locations for future Jumanji-themed attractions, though we won’t mind if they take their time opening them up. We might need that time to build up the courage to visit.
Featured image courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment and Merlin Entertainments