Big thrills and bigger splashes: 11 attractions coming to US theme parks in 2023
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
This is shaping up to be a big year for U.S. theme parks — and we’re not just talking about Disney. From coast to coast, theme parks are opening exciting new rides for little ones, families and thrill-seekers.
In fact, we found 11 new roller coasters, thrill rides and water rides opening across the country in 2023, and there is nary a mention of Disney on the list (though Disney has plenty going on this year, as well).
Related: TPG’s 10 top family vacation destinations for 2023
If you are ready to feel the wind rushing through your hair as you plummet down a terrifyingly tall hill, or you want to sail past silly creatures made from oversized Lego bricks, you’ve come to the right place.
Here are 11 attractions opening at U.S. theme parks this year that we can’t wait to experience.
Legoland New York Resort — Water Playground
Legoland New York reopened March 31 for the 2023 season. Over Memorial Day weekend Legoland oepend its newest attraction: a Lego-themed water playground where families can splash, slide and beat the heat.
The water playground has four waterslides, an interactive water play structure, and a station to build and race your own Lego boat. There is also a nearby changing area so you can slip out of your wet swimsuit when you're ready to head for the park’s land-based attractions.
Legoland New York’s water playground opened on May 26, 2023.
Legoland Florida Resort — Pirate River Quest
Winterhaven, Florida, which is home to Legoland Florida Resort, once featured a theme park with elaborate botanical gardens, water ski shows and canal boat rides called Cypress Gardens.
Now, guests can sail through those same historic canals on Legoland’s newest attraction — though, this time, a rowdy crew of swashbuckling pirates will join them.
Pirate River Quest is an all-ages boat ride (there is no minimum height requirement). It takes guests on a quest to find Captain Redbeard’s lost treasure, which a troop of mischievous monkeys has stolen. During the journey, you’ll encounter a sunken pirate ship, a menacing kraken and other larger-than-life Lego creations.
Pirate River Quest opened Jan. 12.
Universal Studios Hollywood — Super Nintendo World
Ever daydreamed about walking through a warp pipe and joining Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach on their adventures? Soon, you’ll be able to do that at Universal Studios Hollywood's newest land devoted to all things Super Nintendo.
Super Nintendo World’s flagship attraction is Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge (must be 40 inches to ride). This attraction blends augmented reality and projection mapping technology with physical set pieces to put riders behind the wheel of a real-life Mario Kart race.
Though the land has only one ride, Super Nintendo World has more than enough to keep you busy after you race to the finish and take down Bowser. Throughout the land, there are interactive challenges where you can collect digital coins and try to secure a top score — think battling koopas and punching question blocks.
To participate and interact with the land, you’ll want to purchase a Power-Up Band, which you can find at kiosks inside the land or in the 1-Up Factory gift shop. You will also find all the souvenirs and clothing you need to complete your experience. When all that gameplay makes you hungry, grab a bite to eat at Toadstool Cafe.
Super Nintendo World opened Feb. 17.
Universal Orlando — Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast
What’s better than one Minions-themed attraction? Two Minions-themed attractions. Soon, a new attraction dubbed Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast will join Universal Orlando’s popular Despicable Me Minion Mayhem.
Villain-Con Minion Blast will feature a never-before-seen ride technology that utilizes a motion-based pathway instead of a traditional ride vehicle. Guests will wield blasters to fend off villains as they are guided along the pathway, encountering plenty of mischievous Minions along the way.
Villain-Con Minion Blast will be adjacent to Despicable Me Minion Mayhem at Universal Studios Florida, along with a new Minion cafe and other surprises Universal has yet to announce. Here’s to hoping the surprise is Minion dance parties.
Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast is scheduled to open this summer.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay — Serengeti Flyer
The Serengeti Flyer swing ride is currently the world’s tallest and fastest ride of its kind, reaching a top speed of 68 mph and a maximum height of 135 feet. You'll soar above zebra, giraffes and other animals that reside in the park’s 65-acre Serengeti Plain.
You'll experience multiple negative-G moments (that butterflies-in-your-tummy feeling) as you swing back and forth on this dual-arm ultimate swing ride. Because of its extreme nature, the ride has a 48-inch minimum height requirement.
Serengeti Flyer opened Feb. 27, 2023.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg — DarKoaster
Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s newest coaster will have guests racing through the dark while attempting to escape a cursed castle. DarKoaster is a fully indoor coaster with straddle-style ride vehicles designed to look like snowmobiles (you’ll need them to navigate the strange snowstorm raging inside the castle).
DarKoaster is a family-friendly coaster with a 48-inch minimum height requirement and a top speed of 36 mph. It strikes just the right balance between tame and thrilling so the whole family can enjoy the ride. If you manage to escape from the castle, that is.
DarKoaster opens May 19, 2023.
SeaWorld San Diego — Arctic Rescue
Most of SeaWorld San Diego’s attractions play into the park’s aquatic theme, and its newest coaster is no exception. When it opens, Arctic Rescue will be the longest and fastest straddle coaster on the West Coast. Guests will straddle snowmobile-type ride vehicles as they race through the ice and snow to rescue Arctic animals.
Related: SeaWorld splashes into 2023 with water-themed coasters at all 3 parks
While on board, you’ll experience three launches and a top speed of 40 mph, keeping Arctic Rescue firmly in the family-friendly zone, though an exact height requirement has yet to be announced.
Arctic Rescue is scheduled to open in the spring of 2023.
SeaWorld Orlando — Pipeline: The Surf Coaster
If two of your favorite activities are surfing and riding roller coasters, you’re in luck. SeaWorld’s new Pipeline: The Surf Coaster is a one-of-a-kind “surf coaster” with stand-up ride vehicles that look like giant surfboards.
Riders will “hang ten” through the coaster’s many twists and turns, including five airtime maneuvers and a “wave curl” inversion, reaching speeds of up to 60 mph.
Pipeline: The Surf Coaster is an extreme thrill ride with a 54-inch minimum height requirement. If you have little ones, there are plenty of adorable animals nearby to keep them entertained.
This coaster is scheduled to open May 27, 2023.
SeaWorld San Antonio — Catapult Falls
Catapult Falls is a first-of-its-kind cross between a roller coaster and a flume ride. You are certain to have fun and even more certain to get wet. This ride will be the world’s first launched flume coaster. It will also feature the world’s steepest flume ride drop and North America’s only vertical lift in a flume coaster.
Rather than a traditional lift hill, Catapult Falls will transport your raft to the top of the 55-foot-fall hill via an open-air elevator. Once you reach the top, you’ll plunge down and take off on a fast-paced rapid ride. No minimum height requirement has been specified yet.
Catapult Falls is scheduled to open in the summer of 2023.
Hersheypark — Wildcat’s Revenge
In 1996, Hersheypark unleashed Wildcat on the world. Wildcat was a wooden coaster named after “The Wild Cat” — Hersheypark’s first roller coaster, which opened in the 1920s. When Wildcat closed in 2022, Hersheypark hinted that it might have a plan to keep Wildcat’s memory — and thrills — alive.
The plan is a wood and steel hybrid coaster called Wildcat’s Revenge (48-inch minimum height requirement). This is no tame kitty cat. Wildcat’s Revenge will hit speeds of 62 mph and climb to a height of 140 feet before diving into an 82-degree drop and flying through four inversions.
Wildcat’s Revenge is scheduled to open in the summer of 2023.
Dollywood — Big Bear Mountain
A Smoky Mountain-themed roller coaster is a natural fit for a theme park like Dollywood that sits in the foothills of the Smokies. Big Bear Mountain will take riders on an expedition through the Wildwood Grove section of the park in search of the elusive “Big Bear” that has been spotted in the area.
During your race through the wilderness, you’ll reach top speeds of up to 48 mph and climbs to a top height of 66 feet. The minimum height to ride is 39 inches, meaning families can embark on this dangerous journey together.
Big Bear Mountain is scheduled to open May 12.
Bottom line
We’re certainly ready to ride after that impressive rundown.
Whether you are planning a theme park vacation or live close enough to one of the parks on this list for a quick weekend visit, 2023 is bringing exciting new attractions for theme park fans of all ages.