A park that breaks the mould: Movieland Park

I have been to Movieland Park several times, and it never fails to surprise me. I really like this park, even though it is not as big as other European parks: its strength lies in the variety of experiences it offers and, above all, in the originality of its attractions. Despite its small size, Movieland manages to offer unique experiences, often very different from those found in classic Italian amusement parks.

It is clear that the inspiration comes from big names such as Universal Studios and Disneyland, but with an Italian touch, sometimes even artisanal, which makes it truly special. If you love theme parks but are looking for something less “standardised”, with attractions that are out of the ordinary and a more family-friendly atmosphere, Movieland could be a surprising discovery.

One of the things that excites me most every time I return to Movieland is the care with which the attractions and every corner of the park are themed. You can clearly sense the passion of those who designed it and continue to develop it, always drawing inspiration from the world of cinema. Each attraction has a well-defined identity, with consistent scenery, believable settings and a tone that is often over the top but always engaging.

In addition, there are often themed events and weekends dedicated to film sagas such as Harry Potter, Star Wars and Back to the Future, with animations, costumes and decorations designed especially for fans. The last time I was there, for example, the park was completely decorated in American style, with food trucks serving American food, cosplayers dressed as iconic characters from American culture, stars and stripes flags everywhere and a themed soundtrack that made you feel like you were on a real Hollywood set.

The 3 best attractions

Among the many attractions at Movieland, there are three truly unique ones that, in my opinion, are well worth the price of admission.

• One of the most impressive is definitely Antares, a space simulator ride that simulates a journey through space. The sensation of movement, the quality of the projections and the overall atmosphere are incredibly well done: I would say it is one of the best simulations I have ever experienced, easily on a par with those found in parks such as Disneyland.
• Another attraction that really struck me was the Horror House, a walking tour entirely themed around the figure of H.H. Holmes, considered one of the first serial killers in history. The attraction simulates a journey inside his macabre castle/hotel, recreated in a surprisingly realistic way. The setting is extremely well done, full of disturbing details, and the feeling of being in a dangerous place is really well conveyed. Being entirely on foot, you find yourself walking through dark corridors, labyrinthine rooms and rooms where it is impossible to know what awaits you around the corner. To make it even more immersive, there are real actors, perfectly cast in their roles, who appear suddenly and scare visitors with great effect. The attraction is not suitable for children under 14 and, to be honest, not for those who are easily frightened: the atmosphere is intense and very realistic. The tour lasts between 10 and 15 minutes, depending on the pace of the group, and leaves you with that tension typical of a good horror story experienced first-hand. For fans of the genre, it is an experience not to be missed.
• Magma 2.1. This is a very unique experience, difficult to find in other parks: you climb into a real reinforced off-road vehicle, a sort of military vehicle capable of carrying about 50 people at a time, and set off on an off-road trail inside the park’s backlot. What makes it even more special is that you are driven by a real stuntman, who changes every time, and who manoeuvres the vehicle with skids, tight turns, steep climbs and descents, all accompanied by special effects and water features along the route. The ride is lively, noisy and surprising, but never too extreme. It’s one of those attractions where you find yourself laughing and applauding without even realising it, thanks to the involvement and skill of the staff on board. The experience is unique, almost like a small live stunt show in which you are the passenger and the star.

Other attractions

• Diabolik roller coaster. This is an invertigo coaster, compact but really intense: despite being relatively short, it is a real ‘gut-twisting’ ride. The track is travelled twice, first forwards and then backwards, but the special feature is that in the second part of the ride you find yourself with your back to the track, making the sensation even more disorienting and fun. On board, you can also hear the original Diabolik soundtrack, which adds a nice thematic touch and makes the experience even more immersive.
• Hollywood Tower, reminiscent (in miniature) of the famous Tower of Terror at Disney parks. Here, however, we find a more basic version: a tower with a single vertical drop, but no less effective for that. The real peculiarity, in fact, is that the drop is truly free fall, with no hydraulic brakes to slow you down gradually. This makes the experience much more intense and violent, in a good way: it leaves you with that “tug” in your stomach that many larger towers can no longer provide. It’s a pure, sudden descent, and even though it only lasts a few seconds, it stays with you for a long time.
• The Superjet: climb aboard a motorboat driven by a stuntman, who takes the group to a small lagoon inside the park to perform sharp turns, accelerations and skids on the water. The experience is adrenaline-fuelled but great fun, and above all… you get very wet! Between splashes, sudden turns and braking, it’s practically impossible to come out dry.
• Pangea is a completely different but equally immersive experience. In this case, you are at the wheel of a real mini-jeep, and unlike the other attractions in the park, you drive yourself. The route is quite long and very varied, winding through a forest populated by animatronic dinosaurs in a well-designed and engaging setting. What surprised me most is that the track is not linear at all: there are real dips, water crossings, obstacles and even a few special effects along the way. It is one of the few attractions where you really feel like an active participant, and it is a simple idea but executed to perfection.
• U-571 is one of the park’s historical attractions, simulating a submarine attack in a very realistic reconstruction. Visitors enter a real ‘hull’ and the experience begins with a well-done pre-show introducing the mission. Immediately afterwards, they move into the actual submarine, where the attack simulation takes place. Again, you get very wet, and the claustrophobic atmosphere is quite well rendered. Of course, the technology shows some signs of age and seems a little dated compared to similar, more recent attractions, but it is still an original and entertaining experience that is worth trying at least once.
• Disaster, on the other hand, is an attraction that attempts to recreate the style of Universal Studios’ Backlot Tour: you board a shuttle and travel along a route that stages various “film scenes”, with special effects, sets and surprises. It’s a nice idea, and the reference to cinema is very clear, but I have to say that it’s not one of the park’s most successful attractions. The experience is enjoyable, and some scenes work well, but compared to other attractions at Movieland, it lacks a bit of pace or impact. However, it’s still a good way to fill in some time if you have it.

How to experience a film (or a nightmare) first-hand

Among the most spectacular experiences offered by Movieland, I cannot fail to mention the U.S. Army show, undoubtedly the best live show in the park. It is a real exhibition of professional stuntmen, with high-impact action scenes including shootouts, chases, explosions, fire and live special effects. It was once inspired by the character of Rambo, but over the years it has changed its name and setting while retaining the same adrenaline rush of an 80s action film. It is a highly engaging show, with careful timing, choreography and staging: it is definitely worth seeing, and I recommend arriving a few minutes early to enjoy it from a good position.

A completely different experience, but one that struck me deeply, is Kathrina’s Revenge. This is a horror attraction open only during Halloween, and it is something unique in Italy. Unlike the classic Horror House, the intensity level here is much higher: it is forbidden to minors under the age of 18, and with good reason. You are led into an abandoned asylum and your goal is to get out… but it won’t be easy. The actors can touch you, shout at you, physically move you, dirty you and — the highlight — separate you from your group of friends, increasing the tension exponentially. The atmosphere is oppressive, gloomy and frightening, and each room has a different setting, with minimal lighting, labyrinthine environments and constant twists and turns. Personally, I consider it one of the best horror experiences I’ve ever had, and I only recommend it to those who are not easily shocked. It’s the kind of attraction you never forget.