The global attractions industry recently converged in Orlando for the premier IAAPA Expo 2025, and as always, the energy on the show floor was electric. For Team ADCI, designers of destination resorts, waterparks, and immersive family experiences, IAAPA is more than a trade show. It’s a preview of what’s coming next.
This year, the message was unmistakable: the future of resort design goes far beyond thrilling amusements. It’s about a nuanced and deliberately varied program that engages visitors through an exceptional experience and keeps them on property longer, driving revenue. The guest experience is driven by immersive storytelling, holistic guest well-being, and operationally smart design.
These themes are already influencing how we approach projects across the country. Here’s a deeper look at the trends we observed and how they’ll elevate both guest experience and operational performance in the years ahead.
1. Experience-First Story telling: Turning Resorts into Meaningful Destinations
Today’s guests want more than attractions; they want experiences with intention.
Across the expo floor, we saw manufacturers, operators, and designers shifting toward narrative-driven environments. From interactive play zones to integrated F&B concepts and themed rest areas, the industry is embracing story arcs, not just ride lines.
For designers, this means:
- Crafting environments where every space reinforces the overarching theme
- Elevating the arrival, transitions, and dwell spaces to strengthen emotional connection
- Designing water and dry attractions that integrate with the site’s identity
- Ensuring that the “Instagrammable moments” feel authentic rather than forced
At ADCI, this trend aligns seamlessly with our approach. Our work on destination waterparks and resort developments continues to prove that story-rich environments create deeper engagement and increase repeat visitation.
2. Well-Being as a Core Expectation, Not an Upsell
Wellness is transforming from a niche amenity to a base line guest expectation and it’s influencing design across every square foot of a resort.
Conversations at IAAPA highlighted a growing focus on:
- Multi-generational comfort zones
- Sensory-friendly environments
- Spaces for restoration between high-energy attractions
- Designs that promote connection between families, friends, and the natural setting
This isn’t just about spas or adult-only retreats. It’s about designing with human behavior in mind; the rhythms of energy, rest, exploration, and reconnection. The most successful resorts will be those that balance high-impact attractions with intentional, calming, socially engaging environments that extend guests’ length of stay.
3. Intelligent, Efficient Environments: A Smarter Approach to Operations
Operators are asking smarter questions than ever before and IAAPA 2025 reflected that shift.
With rising labor costs, staffing volatility, and utility expenses, the industry is prioritizing:
- Energy-efficient mechanical systems
- Water-saving technologies
- Attractions designed for flexible staffing models
- Layouts that minimize operational friction and back-of-house travel
- Spaces that scale up for peak season and adapt down for slower periods
The big idea: efficiency does not need to be at odds with guest experiences. Done well, intelligent design frees operators to focus on delivering exceptional experiences rather than troubleshooting avoidable constraints.
At ADCI, this theme reinforces our commitment to operationally smart architecture—design solutions that perform beautifully, maintain intuitively, and support long-term business success.
What This Means for ADCI’s Upcoming Work
These trends are already shaping how we plan and designupcoming resort and waterpark developments:
- We’re embedding stronger story frameworks into site plans and interior environments.
- We’re prioritizing flexible zones that support both high-energy activity and quiet social moments.
- We’re refining layouts, mechanical strategies, and circulation paths to enhance operational performance.
- We’re designing with the operator’s long-term financial model top-of-mind balancing innovation with ROI.
IAAPA Expo 2025 reinforced what we’ve known all along: great design is equal parts creativity, empathy, and strategy. As we move into the coming year, we’re energized by the opportunities ahead and inspired by the innovations that will help us create the next generation of memorable, meaningful, and profitable resort experiences.
