Thrill-seekers, mark your calendars! There are a slew of new roller coasters and theme park attractions opening soon, and you’ll want to book those park tickets ASAP! Whether it’s the futuristic in-the-dark coaster at Disney World, the flume ride on steroids at Six Flags Over Texas, or the new land at Universal Studios that brings the Super Mario Universe to life, there is plenty to look forward to at theme parks across the country this year.
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TRON: Lightcycle Power Run - Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom
Step a few light years into the future for one of the fastest roller coasters at any Disney park! Riders will board their very own "lightcycle" (it's a sleek, futuristic motorcycle) and race a rival team through eight Energy Gates in a dark, computerized world. Based on the 1982 hit film, Tron, which was the first film of its kind to mix live-action with computer-generated visuals.
Opens April 4, 2023
Online: Disneyworld.disney.go.com.
Mattel Adventure Park - Glendale, AZ
Hot Wheels and Barbie Fans, this one's for you! Mattel's all-new theme park will be based on the brand's hottest toys, with rides and attractions based on Barbie, Thomas and Friends, Hot Wheels, and more. Guests will be able to get behind the wheel of a super-speedy race car (that'll launch riders straight ahead into a loop, just like the toy tracks do!); join Thomas & Friends on a treasure hunt; or hang out at the three-story Barbie Beach House.
Slated to open in 2023, according to the website (though, by the looks of the Construction Cam, it may be later than that).
Online: Matteladventurepark.com
RELATED: There's a Mattel Theme Park Coming—Here's What You Need to Know
Super Nintendo World - Universal Studios Hollywood
Gamers will finally have a reason to put down their devices (willingly!) when Universal Studios Hollywood opens its long-awaited Super Nintendo World, an immersive land based on the Super Marios Brothers games. Guests will enter through the iconic green pipe into a world that feels authentically Mario, with brightly colored buildings, plenty of toadstools, and the famous faces of the game, including Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach. The land will feature the groundbreaking “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge" (an augmented reality-assisted ride that is part motion, part simulator), as well as interactive games and activities, themed dining, and plenty of shopping opps.
For an extra cost, you can also purchase themed wristbands that'll let kids "play" the land like a video game, competing to complete challenges and score points. (Hint: If you've got Mario fans, don't expect to get away easily without purchasing one of these bands; the good news is that they can be used again during future visits!).
Opens February 17, 2023
Online: Universalstudioshollywood.com
RELATED: Super Nintendo World is Coming to Universal Studios Hollywood
Moana: Journey of Water - EPCOT Orlando
Moana will finally get her own attraction within Disney's kingdom! Set to open late this year, this immersive walk-through exhibit will let visitors enter into a lush, magical world where they can play and interact with water "as it travels from the sky to the oceans and back again." The forested walking trail will be designed to transport guests to the tropical island of Motunui and will feature familiar characters such as Maui and Te Fiti, as well as iconic imagery from the film. In addition, the attraction (which will be located in the Nature World part of the park) is designed to teach about the importance of water and increase awareness about preserving the global water cycle.
Opens late 2023
Online: Disneyworld.disney.go.com
Racing Single Rail Family Coaster at Six Flags Fiesta Texas - San Antonio, TX
For smaller riders with a need for speed, this family-friendly coaster will thrill them just enough to make it fun—but be gentle enough that kids as young as 2 or 3 (or 36") can ride it! According to Six Flags, the still-to-be-named ride will be the world's firstsingle-railfamily racingrollercoaster and will feature two trains on parallel racing tracks (which means, expect your racers to want to go again and again until they ride the winning coaster).
Opening date: TBD(listed as sometime in 2023)
Online: Sixflags.com/fiestatexas
Villain-Con Minion Blast- Universal Studios Orlando
Fans of Gru and his gang will be happy to hop into this state-of-the-art interactive experience, which is part game, part movie, and part ride. Armed with cartoonish interactive "blasters," guests will step aboard a moving platform and compete to join the ranks of the infamous "Vicious 6" villains from the Minions films. The attraction combines innovative screen technology, state-of-the-art gaming interactivity, and elaborate physical sets to create a one-of-a-kind adventure.
Opens Summer 2023
Online: Universalorlando.com
MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress - Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park, CA
Will you launch backward or forward? That's the thrilling question at the start of the new Montezooma's Revenge at Knott's Berry Farm. The historic "flywheel-launched shuttle coaster" was the first of its kind when it opened in 1978 (and it's still the oldest of its kind still to be located in its original location), but was recently closed for renovations. When it re-opens, new updates will allow guests to be completely surprised by the direction the train will take them at the start of each ride.
The ride renovation is part of a total refresh to the Fiesta Village area of the park, a colorful section of the park that celebrates Southern California's rich Hispanic heritage and features a bustling marketplace as well as a restaurant and bar.
Opens Summer 2023
Online: Knotts.com
Aquaman: Power Wave - Six Flags Over Texas
Ready for the next generation of water rides? This water ride/roller coaster will launch riders straight up a colossal 148 feet of track and then send them plunging straight down towards a huge splash down. The ride, which is the 15th coaster in the park, will be the first water coaster of its kind in North America and will reach speeds of 63 miles per hour!
Opens Spring 2023
Online: Sixflags.com
Wildcat’s Revenge at Hersheypark - Hershey, PA
If the lure of chocolate isn't enough to get you to Hersheypark (the only theme park in the world based on chocolate), the bevy of roller coasters might do it. The newest ride, one of 15 at the park, will be a reimagining of the park's first roller coaster, which debuted in 1923. The steel-and-wood hybrid coaster will take riders on a thrilling 2-minute and 36-second experience that roars to a start with a 140-foot climb and an 82-degree drop The train then does four inversions—including the world’s largest "Underflip" (an inversion that begins with an upward climb, followed by a counterclockwise 270° roll and a dive down towards the side).
Opens Summer 2023
Online: Hersheypark.com
Pipeline: The Surf Coaster at SeaWorld Orlando
This ride takes surfing to new heights—literally. Billed as the world's first "surf coaster," the innovative ride design will prop riders up as if they're standing on a giant surfboard. To create the feeling of real surfing, the seats of the ride will rise and fall to mimic the sensation of riding on a wave, while the twists and turns along the 2,950 feet of track will give riders the thrill of almost (but not!) wiping out. With five airtime moments, a "wave curl" inversion, and a top speed of 60 miles per hour, this is a ride that'll make intrepid surfers out of anyone who dares ride it. Hang loose—or rather, hang tight!
Opens Spring 2023
Online: Seaworld.com
Catapult Falls - SeaWorld San Antonio
When Texas summer days get hot, this first-of-its-kind water ride will be the place to go at SeaWorld. The ride combines the thrill of a launched roller coaster, the excitement of a vertical lift elevator (you go straight up!) and a water ride with what park officials call the "steepest drop in a flume attraction," the ride will launch riders straight up, then send them plunging into a watery splash-down. But it's not just a one-and-done: The 5-minute long family thrill ride has some twists and turns—and views of the park—in addition to its climactic plunge.
Opens Spring of 2023
Online: Seaworld.com
Aeronautica Landing at Carowinds - Charlotte, NC
Aviation is the theme of this brand-new area of North Carolina's biggest amusement park. The huge new land, located at the Crossroads section of the park, will feature five new flight-themed rides as well as carnival games and immersive elements—all meant to honor the Carolina spirit of invention, exploration, and aviation. The new rides include the daunting-looking Gear Spin, which sends riders looping around on an actual propulsion engine; Air Racer, a spinning ride that lets pilots hop into a flight vehicle and control the gears through various obstacles; and a hovercraft-themed version of bumper cars. The area will also feature the Terminal A restaurant, an eatery modeled after high-end sky clubs and serving food and drinks (including craft beer) on an outdoor patio.
Opens Spring 2023
Online: Carowinds.com
Big Bear Mountain at Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, TN
Zip through the wooded forests of Tennessee's Smoky Mountains on what will be the longest roller coaster in the country! You'll set out in search of the elusive Big Bear on this family-friendly coaster, which features three separate launches, multiple airtime hills, high-speed carousel turns, and tunnels—including a pass behind a waterfall. The family-friendly ride will reach speeds of 48 miles per hour and is designed for adrenaline-seekers as small as 39 inches (or about 4 years old).
Opens Spring 2023
Online: Dollywood.com
Zambezi Zinger - World of Fun, Kansas City, MO
Like the crickety, creaky noise of an old-fashioned wooden coaster? This all-new steel and wood coaster takes the nostalgia of its predecessor (the original Zambezi Zinger operated from 1973 to 1997 and was one of the park's most popular rides) and gives it some modern, high-tech touches. Designed to feel like a chase through the African Serengeti, the trains weave low to the ground, through the trees, with numerous plunges, hills, and turns. It also has side-by-side seating instead of the bobsled-style seating of the original Zinger.
Opens April 2023
Online: Worldsoffun.com
DarKoaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Embark on a connected train of snowmobiles and experience what is being called the first "indoor straddle coaster" in the country. You'll zip through total darkness and stormy skies—with four separate thrilling launches—to discover the mysterious phenomenon at the heart of these strange weather patterns.
Opens Spring 2023
Online: Buschgardens.com
Artic Rescue - SeaWorld San Diego
Hailed as the longest, fastest straddle coaster on the West Coast, this sleek new ride lets riders climb aboard a train of double snowmobiles and "race to the rescue" to "help animals in danger." Featuring three exhilarating launches that increase in speed at each launch, the coaster will reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour and allow riders 48 inches and up (so most 7-year-olds). Besides being an exhilarating ride, the attraction aims to bring awareness to threats facing Arctic sea life from climate change and global warming. It begins inside the Wild Arctic exhibit, home to walruses, ringed seals, and beluga whales—some of the species most impacted by Arctic sea loss.
Opens Spring 2023
Online: seaworld.com
Wild Mouse at Cedar Point
Is it a spinning ride? A coaster? This one is both! Described as a "twisting family thrill for coaster lovers young and young-at-heart," this reincarnation of Cedar Point's original Wild Mouse coaster—located in the renovated Boardwalk section of the park—takes riders on a twisting, spinning journey along 1,312 feet of compactly designed track. With six mouse-themed cars and one cheese-themed car, you'll spend the 1:10-minute ride either chasing or being chased. The cars' spinning action changes depending on the number of riders aboard (and how they're sitting), making each ride different from the last.
Opens TBD in 2023
Online:Cedarpoint.com
Primordial at Lagoon Park - Farmington, UT
It's anyone's guess what this much-anticipated roller coaster—which has been under construction for more than seven years!—may look like in its entirety. Officials couldn't give an exact date on the ride's opening, but ride makers have promised “a ride experience like you have never seen," featuring high-tech effects and interactive elements, according to Coaster 101. Construction videos show a massive roller coaster track disappearing into a mountainous cave... and that's about all we know.
Opening: Sometime in 2023
Online: Lagoonpark.com
FAQs
What is the new rollercoaster for 2022? ›
Iron Gwazi recognized as Best New Roller Coaster of 2022
- Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens was just named the Best New Roller Coaster of 2022. It's the tallest roller coaster in Florida and reaches speeds of 76 miles per hour, plunging guests down a 91-degree drop.
August 12 - We now know that the rumor that the iconic Psycho Mouse from California's Great America is being moved to Cedar Point was incorrect as Cedar Point has now announced its new roller coaster, Wild Mouse which is set to debut on opening day at the park in 2023.
What is the scariest rollercoaster 2022? ›Today, Takabisha (Gao Fei Che ) is the scariest roller coaster globally. “Takabisha” means “Dominant,” which is Japanese. Takabisha is a Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter steel roller coaster located in The Fuji Q Highland theme park in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan.
What is the best amusement park for thrill seekers? ›- Cedar Point. ...
- Europa-Park. ...
- Everland. ...
- Parc Asterix. ...
- Port Aventura. ...
- Six Flags Magic Mountain. ...
- Universal's Islands of Adventure. ...
- Walt Disney World.
...
Skyscraper (roller coaster)
| Skyscraper | |
|---|---|
| Designer | US Thrill Rides |
| Model | Polercoaster |
| Track layout | Custom |
| Length | 5,200 ft (1,600 m) |
Additional Attractions Opening in 2023
A SDC Galaxi coaster will be opening at Niagara Amusement Park in 2023. Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, Tennessee is building a new Wiegand alpine coaster. SeaWorld San Antonio announced a new flume coaster called Catapult Falls. Wilderness at the Smokies is building a new Cloud Coaster.
Cedar Point is bringing back a Wild Mouse coaster to its reimagined new Boardwalk area along the eastern beach side of the park. The new Wild Mouse roller coaster will reach a height of 52 feet and boast six mouse-themed cars and one that is cheese-themed.
What is the new roller coaster coming in 2023 at Cedar Point? ›Wild Mouse will stand 52 feet tall with six mouse-themed cars and one cheese-themed car. An image rendering of the new Wild Mouse roller coaster coming to Cedar Point in 2023.
Are they removing Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point? ›Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point, which debuted in 2003 and was permanently closed in 2022.
What is the deadliest coaster in the US? ›Big Dipper, Nebraska (1930)
One of the deadliest roller coaster accidents in U.S. history happened in 1930 when a brake mechanism failed and jammed the coaster's wheel. The train derailed and fell 35 feet.
What is the #1 roller coaster in the world? ›
| Rank | Name | Park |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kingda Ka | Six Flags Great Adventure |
| * | Top Thrill Dragster | Cedar Point |
| 2 | Superman: Escape from Krypton | Six Flags Magic Mountain |
| 3 | Red Force | Ferrari Land |
How common are roller coaster accidents? According to data from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), the chance of suffering a serious injury on a ride in an amusement park in the U.S. is 1 in 15.5 million rides taken.
What is the #1 theme park in the US? ›Tripadvisor officials named Dollywood the #1 theme park in the United States and the #8 theme park in the world during the 2022 Travelers' Choice Best of the Best Awards. It's an honor that won't come as much of a surprise to Dollywood's park-goers who frequently compliment Dollywood on its exemplary guest experience.
Can a 300 pound person ride a roller coaster? ›Roller coaster and drop tower manufacturer Utah's S&S Worldwide sets a maximum weight restriction of 300 pounds and includes a sensor on each ride to detect over-sized riders. These facts are enough to make most plus-size people nervous about stepping foot in a theme park.
Is there a 100 mph roller coaster? ›Superman: Escape from Krypton: 100 mph
Superman: Escape from Krypton has an incredible 415-foot tall tower. It holds the distinction of being the first coaster to reach 100 mph.
Plunge 200 feet on SheiKra - an intense coaster!
Climb 200 feet to the edge of a 90-degree drop that inches you mercilessly over the edge—and stops.
Aquaman: Power Wave – Six Flags Over Texas
The first of its kind in North America, Aquaman: Power Wave was originally supposed to open at Six Flags Over Texas in 2021. Due to the pandemic, the opening ended up getting pushed back to 2022, and then again to 2023.
December 10, 2022, 5:39 PM · It look a while, but a Six Flags park has announced a new roller coaster for the 2023. Six Flags Fiesta Texas today announced at its FT92 Fan Event that it will install a Skyline Attractions racing P'Sghetti Bowl Children's Coaster next year.
What is the fastest roller coaster in the United States 2022? ›Kingda Ka is quite simply the tallest coaster in the world and fastest roller coaster in North America.
Will Top Thrill Dragster closed forever? ›The world's second-tallest roller coaster will be closed permanently, a year after a small object flew off the coaster and severely injured a woman in line. The Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, was the world's tallest coaster when it opened in 2003.
Will Top Thrill Dragster reopen in 2023? ›
Roller coaster fans will have to wait another year to ride what was once the tallest roller coaster in the world. Cedar Point announced Monday that its famed Top Thrill Dragster will not reopen until 2024.
Will dragster close forever? ›"After 19 seasons in operation with 18 million riders experiencing the world's first strata roller coaster, Top Thrill Dragster, as you know it, is being retired." The move comes just over a year after a Michigan woman was hit in the head by a piece of metal that fell from the coaster.
What is Cedar Point adding in 2023? ›At Cedar Point, the excitement and nostalgia of the park's classic lakeside experience will be celebrated in a whole new way in 2023 when the park opens The Boardwalk, a new themed area just steps away from the Lake Erie shoreline that made Cedar Point famous.
What will replace Great America? ›— China-based developer Kylli is eyeing a project called Mission Point that features 3 million square feet of office space, 1,800 homes and 100,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space.
What new ride at Cedar Point 2023 goes off track? ›Wild Mouse is expected to debut during the 2023 season with the Boardwalk, an area of Cedar Point undergoing renovations and upgrades along the lakeside.
Are they tearing down the dragster? ›Cedar Point permanently closing Top Thrill Dragster, world's second-tallest roller coaster. SANDUSKY, Ohio (AP) — An amusement park in Ohio announced Tuesday it would be permanently closing the world's second-tallest roller coaster.
Is Rachel Hawes still alive? ›More On: amusement parks
Hawes was waiting in line to board the roller coaster. She was rushed to a hospital in Toledo for treatment. Hawes survived, though there have been no updated reports on her condition.
Record-breaking Top Thrill Dragster is being retired a year after the roller coaster seriously injured a woman waiting in line, Cedar Point announced yesterday. Why it matters: The announcement ends a year of speculation over the fate of Ohio's tallest and fastest ride.
What is America's scariest roller coaster? ›The two scariest roller coasters in the US are Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure and Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point. Unlike other ride compilations, such as the 12 longest coasters, this list is somewhat subjective.
What is the scariest roller coaster ever built? ›Kingda Ka — Six Flags Great Adventure, New Jersey
In fact, given its height and speed, it could just be considered the scariest roller coaster in the world as well. The track reaches heights of 456 feet (over 45 stories) before sending riders hurtling down at 128 miles per hour — a speed reached in just 3.5 seconds.
What is the oldest roller coaster still in use? ›
Located at historic Seabreeze Amusement Park outside Rochester, the Jack Rabbit is the oldest continuously operating coaster in North America. In the overhead rafters of the ride there is still an original sign that reads “pay as you leave.”
What is the slowest roller coaster? ›The Slowest Rollercoaster in the World - Tiger and Turtle Walking Coaster Duisburg.
What is the world fastest ride? ›Formula Rossa (Arabic: فورمولا روسا) is a launched roller coaster located at Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Manufactured by Intamin and opened in 2010, it is the world's fastest roller coaster, featuring a maximum speed of 240 km/h (149.1 mph).
Do roller coasters get worse as you get older? ›As people age, they may feel the bumps and drops of a roller coaster more strongly or take longer to recover from dizziness after having been spun at high speeds. They may just not enjoy the thrill as much as they did as a kid.
Is it normal to scream on a roller coaster? ›While most people do like to scream or shout their heads off while on a ride, it's not unusual to not make a sound on a rollercoaster.
Can you sue if you get hurt on a roller coaster? ›Amusement park injury victims can file a personal injury lawsuit against those responsible to get money damages for their injuries. Park owners have a duty to provide a safe environment for customers. Roller coaster designers also have a duty to make sure their rides are not defective or dangerous.
What is the new roller coaster at Six Flags? ›The world's tallest, fastest, and longest single rail coaster, Jersey Devil Coaster, opened on June 13, 2021.
What is the fastest roller coaster in the USA 2022? ›Kingda Ka is quite simply the tallest coaster in the world and fastest roller coaster in North America.
Is Six Flags Great America getting a new coaster? ›December 10, 2022, 5:39 PM · It look a while, but a Six Flags park has announced a new roller coaster for the 2023.
What is the new roller coaster in Florida? ›SeaWorld's first launch coaster is now open! Named after the icy Arctic summits, Ice Breaker features four airtime filled launches, both backwards and forwards, culminating in a reverse launch into the steepest beyond vertical drop in Florida - a 93 feet tall spike with 100 degree angle.
What is six flags new roller coaster 2023? ›
Aquaman: Power Wave – Six Flags Over Texas
The first of its kind in North America, Aquaman: Power Wave was originally supposed to open at Six Flags Over Texas in 2021. Due to the pandemic, the opening ended up getting pushed back to 2022, and then again to 2023.
Six Flags Magic Mountain's record 20th coaster—the most at any theme park in the world—WONDER WOMAN™ Flight of Courage is NOW OPEN as the tallest and longest single-rail coaster on the planet.
What will replace Goliath at Six Flags? ›Six Flags Great America Announces DC Universe Area and Rethemed Rides for 2022. Six Flags Great America today announced plans to debut a DC Universe area when the park opens next month.
What is Six Flags record breaking coaster? ›The addition of 'Wonder Woman: Flight of Courage' makes Six Flags Magic Mountain stand alone as the only amusement park in the world with 20 coasters. The ride is record-breaking in and of itself; the single-rail coaster is the tallest, at 13 stories, and longest, with 3,300 feet of track, of its kind.
What is the newest coaster at Great America? ›“RailBlazer is a revolutionary roller coaster concept that is an intense and exhilarating ride experience for our guests,” said Raul Rehnborg, vice president and general manager, California's Great America.
What is the craziest roller coaster in Florida? ›Mako, SeaWorld Orlando
Florida's tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster, Mako deserves to be at the top of the list. A SeaWorld favorite, this roller coaster is named after one of the fastest known sharks in the ocean. This white-knuckle ride is known for its extreme first drop that will leave you wanting more.
TRON Lightcycle / Run Opening April 4, 2023
A thrilling new experience is coming to Magic Kingdom Park when TRON Lightcycle / Run opens on April 4, 2023. It's been exciting seeing this coaster come to life over the years.
The state's only hypercoaster, Mako really delivers the thrills. At 200 feet and a top speed of 73 mph, it features a flurry of airtime that is sheer bliss for coaster fans (and may cause more casual fans to freak out). The themed ride casts passengers as sharks on the prowl.