This summer, get ready to leave the ground—and your expectations—behind. Niagara Takes Flight, a groundbreaking flying theatre experience opening August 29, 2025, is set to transform how visitors experience Niagara Falls. Suspended midair with your feet dangling and wind rushing past your face, you’ll glide over thundering waterfalls, drift through mist-filled gorges, and sweep across the region’s most scenic landscapes—all without leaving your seat.
Billed as Ontario’s first and only flying theatre, this state-of-the-art attraction is located at Table Rock Centre, just steps from the brink of Horseshoe Falls. Created by Niagara Parks in collaboration with Brogent Technologies, the global leader in flying theatre systems, and directed by Rick Rothschild—the legendary Disney Imagineer behind Soarin’ Over California—Niagara Takes Flight blends cutting-edge drone cinematography with immersive effects like mist, scent, and motion, all projected onto a massive 17-metre-wide, 180-degree domed screen.
This $25 million investment marks the final phase in a multi-year transformation of Niagara Parks’ flagship Table Rock Centre and represents a major step forward for tourism in the region. It’s not just a ride—it’s an unforgettable 56-kilometre cinematic journey through Niagara’s geography, history, and culture, designed to leave visitors with a deeper connection to one of the world’s most iconic natural wonders.
The Experience: An Aerial Adventure Like No Other
At its core, Niagara Takes Flight is a sensory-rich storytelling experience. The ride begins in dynamic pre-show areas, conceptualized by Canadian design firm FORREC and brought to life by Great Lakes Scenic Studios, where visitors learn about the formation of the Niagara Gorge, the heritage of the region’s Indigenous peoples, and the role Niagara has played in popular culture over generations. This thoughtful prologue sets the stage for what comes next: an awe-inspiring aerial tour powered by some of the most advanced flying theatre tech on the planet.
Guests are strapped into gondola-style motion seats and lifted into the air, where wind, scent, and mist effects work in harmony with the massive curved screen to deliver a truly lifelike sensation of flight. The journey captures all four seasons in the region—from a bustling summer day in Queen Victoria Park to the twinkling lights of a winter evening—making it a uniquely Niagara experience.
The custom-shot footage was filmed between September 2024 and January 2025 using drones to provide perspectives that have never before been seen by the public. Viewers will soar past landmarks like the Niagara Parks Power Station, Niagara Whirlpool, Old Fort Erie, Landscape of Nations Memorial, and, of course, the mighty Horseshoe Falls itself. With hundreds of local extras involved, every scene is brought to life with authenticity and spirit.
Behind the Scenes: World-Class Design, Local Impact
The development of Niagara Takes Flight was the result of a highly competitive process launched by Niagara Parks in 2023. The attraction was awarded to Brogent Technologies, whose flying theatres can be found in cities like Vancouver, Chicago, New York, and Las Vegas. With creative direction led by Rick Rothschild, the team set out to make this Niagara experience unlike any other in the world.
Construction began in September 2024 and has been guided by Merit Contractors Niagara, supported by numerous Ontario-based companies. The result is a flagship attraction that combines international storytelling expertise with strong local economic impact—right down to its fabrication and scenic design teams based in Burlington and Toronto.
According to Niagara Parks Chair Bob Gale, “From the spectacular pre-show areas to the film production itself, Niagara Takes Flight offers a new perspective and appreciation for this special place and the world-renowned environmental and cultural heritage features that Niagara Parks has been entrusted to protect since 1885.”
Why It Matters: A Bold Step Forward for Niagara Tourism
Niagara Takes Flight isn’t just a fun new attraction—it’s a strategic investment in Niagara’s tourism future. As Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming Stan Cho stated:
“With Niagara Parks’ new attraction, visitors will be able to experience and appreciate the Falls like never before… I’m excited to welcome this new attraction as a cultural experience and a new economic driver for the region.”
For Brogent Chairman Chih-Hung Ouyang, it’s also a first of its kind:
“This is the world’s first flying theatre located within a renowned, globally known park… blending culture, geography, history, and technology to tell captivating stories in an entirely new way.”
And for Rothschild, it’s about making connections:
“This film is more than just a showcase of the 56 kilometres of parkland; it aims to help understand the geology and the centuries-old human story of Niagara.”
Plan Your Visit: Take Flight This August
Construction and media production are nearing completion ahead of the official launch on August 29, 2025. Visitors can expect behind-the-scenes sneak peeks to roll out across Niagara Parks’ social media in the lead-up to the grand opening.
Whether you’re visiting Niagara Falls for the first time or returning for another round of adventure, Niagara Takes Flight promises to be a must-see experience that blends adrenaline, wonder, and education in one incredible ride.
Think you’ve seen Niagara Falls? Think again. This summer, take flight—and see it from a whole new angle.
