IAAPA has identified several trends for the year ahead, pinpointing VR rollercoasters, 3D/4D immersion, guest interactivity and edutainment as key themes for developments in 2016.

Virtual reality had a large presence at IAAPA 2015 in Orlando, and through the year more-and-more theme parks have been introducing the technology to their parks, notably Alton Towers with Galactica and Six Flags with its upcoming Superman coasters.

Several parks are adding 3D or 4D attractions that immerse guests in a fictional world. Among the big players, Merlin Entertainments is rolling out a 4-D cinema to all of its Legoland and Legoland Discovery Centre attractions, while new Justice League 4D attractions are coming to Six Flags and California’s Great America in Santa Clara is releasing the first ever Mass Effect 4D experience.

Interactivity continues to make its impact on the industry as parks open rides and attractions in which the guest's actions directly impact the experience. One of the most intriguing attractions to follow this line of thinking is the mysterious Derren Brown’s Ghost Train, which is set to open at Thorpe Park in the UK in the next month. The ride is unlike any other and offers multiple endings for each rider based on a chaos theory of actions having consequences.

Edutainment is also at the forefront of attractions development for 2016, increasing in popularity and a trend worth noting as, zoos, aquariums, science centres, and museums aim to make learning fun. KidZania is one of the most successful examples of this as the franchise continues to grow at an exponential rate, most recently launching its latest FEC in Singapore.