"Stream Parks" Emerge as the Next Frontier in Theme Park Travel
The theme park industry is "going off-script" with the release of the ABTA Travel Trends 2026 report, which identifies "Stream Parks" as a breakout global phenomenon.
Unlike traditional parks built on decades-old film franchises, Stream Parks use rapid-deployment technology and VR to bring digital worlds from platforms like Netflix and iQIYI into physical reality. With 28% of UK adults expressing a desire to "step inside" their favorite streaming series, these high-tech, immersive venues are becoming a primary driver for city-break tourism.
The trend is led by the success of "Netflix House," which expanded its footprint this month to offer immersive experiences based on Bridgerton and Stranger Things. These destinations are being described as "downloadable attractions"—replicable, smaller-scale venues that can be opened in urban centers like London, Philadelphia, and Tokyo without the need for massive land acquisition or decade-long construction projects. This allows streaming giants to capitalize on viral "cultural moments" while they are still trending globally.
Parallel to this, the "Minecraft" universe is set to debut its first major physical attractions in the UK and U.S. later this year, using mixed-reality headsets to allow guests to "build" in a shared physical space. This shift toward pixel-born worlds marks a significant change in how Gen Z and Alpha travelers perceive "theming." For these generations, the digital and physical are increasingly blurred, and a vacation that doesn't offer a "hyper-real" connection to their online lives is seen as outdated.
For the 2026 traveler, "Stream Parks" offer a more accessible and frequent alternative to the "once-in-a-lifetime" pilgrimage to Orlando or Anaheim. These venues are often located in existing shopping or entertainment districts, making them a centerpiece for multi-generational weekend trips. As the technology for "vivid hyper-reality" continues to improve, the travel industry is bracing for a world where the most popular "destination" might actually be a digital world rendered inside a downtown warehouse.
