The world’s first luxury theme park is coming next fall, debuting just outside Mexico’s Puerto Vallarta.
The BON Theme Park will open at the VidantaWorld Nuevo Vallarta, a 2,500-acre coastal property located between the Sierra Madre mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Seeking to create “the best of all possible worlds,” the destination will combine its incredible beaches with high-end dining, entertainment, five-star resort hospitality, and thrills.
This marks a shift for Vidanta, which was previously a members-only resort company, toward a larger travel market. The ambitious project includes the luxury BON Hotel and an original Cirque du Soleil production, both premiering this month as part of the multi-chapter opening.
“VidantaWorld isn’t just entering the theme park destination market—we are elevating the guest experience and extending the market beyond families with young kids to better cater to active adults, multi-generational families and premium-minded, discerning couples with high service expectations,” Michel Beuffe, the chief operations officer for VidantaWorld, said in a statement.
This is everything travelers need to know about the project.
What is BON?
BON (which stands for Beauty of Nature) is the “world’s first luxury-focused theme park” located at VidantaWorld Nuevo Vallarta.
”VidantaWorld represents the most ambitious hospitality and entertainment initiative to emerge in decades—a brand-new collection of luxury vacation experiences designed to elevate the typical theme park destination with a relentless focus on quality not volume,” the company wrote in a statement.
What rides can travelers expect at BON?
There will be 23 attractions spread across the BON theme park, blending a “world-class luxury theme park with five-star resort hospitality.” Visitors can expect multiple coasters, original entertainment, and fully-immersive themed lands “built with the same ambitions you see in Orlando, California, or Dubai.”
BON tapped industry leaders who are the visionaries behind the most visited parks in North America in its creation. Attractions will be brought to life by renowned pioneers in the theme park landscape, including Zamperla, Intamin, Vekoma, and Mack ride manufacturers.
“These collaborations ensure BON’s mix of coasters, family attractions, and media-driven experiences matches leading international parks—and integrates seamlessly with elevated hospitality,” according to the company.
The park will also feature 25 restaurants, 16 shops, and themed lands, including “BON Plaza,” “Fantasy Gardens,” “Empire of Light,” and “Land of Legends.”
How can people visit?
For the first year, theme park guests will be limited to those staying at VidantaWorld Nuevo Vallarta. This marks “one of the most exclusive large-scale park debuts in recent history,” according to a statement. Utilizing a “hospitality-forward” model, the intention is to minimize the time guests spend in attraction queues.
The BON Hotel, a boutique, all-suite luxury option, will offer views of the theme park and easy access to amenities and dining across the property. After the first year, the theme park will open to the general public.
What else will there be?
The project will open in phases, with several offerings available this month. Starting Dec. 16, Cirque du Soleil will debut its water-themed dinner show, LUDO, marking the entertainment giant’s first aquatic-based spectacle since O (Las Vegas). This will be housed in a $200-million, custom-built theater.
Now open, the SkyDream Parks Gondola provides a thrilling view over the park with private airborne gondolas. The property also features championship golf, including Norman’s Vidanta Vallarta, home of the PGA Tour Mexico Open.
Further details on the grand opening date are anticipated in the near future. Vidanta also operates a second location, VidantaWorld Riviera Maya, on Mexico’s Caribbean coast.
