Psychological drivers of attitude and revisit intentions in virtual reality rides at amusement parks: telepresence, flow and enjoyment

This study examines the factors influencing visitors’ attitudes and intentions to revisit virtual reality (VR) ride simulators in amusement parks, focusing on psychological aspects such as telepresence, flow, and enjoyment. Data were collected from 138 visitors using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings show that enjoyment significantly shapes attitudes toward VR ride simulators, which in turn drive revisit intentions. By contrast, telepresence and flow were not significant predictors, suggesting that emotional engagement plays a more critical role than cognitive absorption in shaping visitor evaluations, especially in passive, pre-scripted, short-duration VR ride simulator contexts. These results challenge established psychological theories such as presence and flow while pointing to the relevance of Mood Management Theory for understanding immersive entertainment experiences. The study also highlights the importance of developing immersive tourism standards that go beyond safety by incorporating design criteria emphasizing emotional engagement, narrative interactivity, and cognitive resonance. Conducted in the context of Indonesia’s emerging VR entertainment market, this study fills a research gap in developing countries and contributes fresh insights into the psychological drivers of visitor behavior, supporting the sustainable growth of VR-based attractions in similar markets.