FAQ
Everything you need to know about DarkRideDB.
What is DarkRideDB?
DarkRideDB is a community-driven database and rating platform for dark rides and themed attractions from around the world. Think of it as a combination of IMDb and Letterboxd, but for theme park dark rides.
Our goal is to catalog the world's dark rides and provide a platform where enthusiasts can rate, review, and track the attractions they've experienced.
What counts as a dark ride?
A dark ride is an indoor amusement ride where guests travel through specially lit scenes that contain animation, sounds, music, and special effects. The "dark" refers to the controlled lighting environment, not necessarily scary content.
Classic examples include:
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Haunted Mansion
- Journey to the Center of the Earth
- Mystic Manor
- Symbolica
Hybrid Rides
Some attractions blend dark ride elements with other experiences (like coasters or water rides). We include these if they have a significant dark ride section with storytelling and themed environments.
Example: De Vliegende Hollander (Efteling)
Outdoor Dark Rides
Uncovered rides can qualify if they function like a dark ride, relying on controlled sightlines, show sets, audio, and animatronics to tell a story, even without a roof.
Example: Fairy Tinker Bell's Busy Buggies (Tokyo DisneySea)
How does the rating system work?
We use a multi-criteria rating system that evaluates dark rides across several dimensions:
- Overall — Your complete impression (1-10)
- Immersion — How well it transports you into its world
- Story — Narrative flow and character development
- Visuals — Quality of sets, lighting, and effects
- Audio — Soundtrack, sound effects, and voice work
The displayed ride score is a weighted average. The Overall score is weighted considerably higher (4x) than the individual category scores, ensuring that your general impression matters most while still accounting for technical execution.
Trivia Stats
The following ratings are collected for informational purposes only and do not affect the overall ride score:
- Intensity — Physical thrill level (1-5)
- Queue Theming — How well the queue area is themed (1-10)
Who runs DarkRideDB?
DarkRideDB is an independent passion project created by theme park enthusiasts. We're not affiliated with any theme park company.
If you have suggestions, corrections, or want to contribute, feel free to reach out!