All the new theme park attractions opening in 2024
2024 will be packed with new theme park attractions globally: a gravy-themed roller coaster in Indiana, a Barbie land at a new theme park in Arizona, a track-jumping Donkey Kong coaster in Japan, and everything in between.
Record-setting stats and world-famous characters headline the new theme park attractions opening in 2024. Launches and steep drops? Check. Princesses and Peppa Pig? Check. Dolly Parton, Thomas the Tank Engine, Shrek, and Appa the sky bison? Check, check, check, and check.
Here are over 80 new theme park attractions opening around the world in 2024 — plus a glimpse beyond this year and into future of the themed entertainment industry at the end.
“Alice In Wonderland” Show (Title TBA) at Walt Disney Studios Park
- Coupvray, France
- Opening date: Spring 2024
In this “modern and flamboyant twist,” as Disney called it, on the 1951 film “Alice In Wonderland,” guests will get to choose how the show ends. Details here.
Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey at Tokyo DisneySea
- Urayasu, Chiba, Japan
- Opening date: June 6, 2024
This boat ride will tell the story of the first “Frozen” film. The attraction is part of Frozen Kingdom, one of three areas within Tokyo DisneySea’s massive Fantasy Springs expansion. Details here.
Image courtesy of Disney
Apocalypso at Fins Up Water Park
- Buford, Ga.
- Opening date: Summer 2024
Riders will reach speeds of up to 30 mph along Apocalypso’s 418 feet of slide, surrounded by three additional new slides. Apocalypso will be part of Fins Up Water Park, a soon-to-be-christened overhaul of existing offerings at Margaritvaville at Lanier Islands. Details here.
Barbie Beach House at Mattel Adventure Park
- Glendale, Ariz.
- Opening date: TBA 2024
Mattel Adventure Park will open sometime in 2024 as a year-round, nine-acre, combination indoor/outdoor theme park. At Barbie Beach House, guests will be able to shop in Barbie’s Dream Closet or enjoy the view from Barbie Beach Rooftop. Details here.
Barbie Flying Theatre at Mattel Adventure Park
- Glendale, Ariz.
- Opening date: TBA 2024
Barbie Flying Theatre, located next door to Barbie Beach House at the new Mattel Adventure Park, will utilize a dome screen with 8K definition for a ride with Barbie from Malibu to Brooklyn. The park will also feature attractions based on Hot Wheels and “Thomas & Friends” (see below). Details here.
“Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” at Disney California Adventure
- Anaheim, Calif.
- Performs Apr. 26 – Aug. 4, 2024
This new parade will anchor Pixar Fest at Disneyland Resort with characters from “Turning Red,” “Elemental,” and more. Details here.
The Bobcat at Six Flags Great Escape
- Queensbury, N.Y.
- Opening date: TBA 2024
This new wooden roller coaster will reach nearly 40 mph. The ride will replace the former Alpine Bobsled and will be manufactured by The Gravity Group. Details here.
Bow Wow Blaster at Schlitterbahn New Braunfels
- New Braunfels, Texas
- Opening date: TBA 2024
This kid-sized water coaster will be one of several components within Schatze’s Storybrook Park, a new area specially designed for young guests. Details here.
Castaway Falls at Adventure Island
- Tampa, Fla.
- Opening date: Spring 2024
This water play area will reside in Adventure Island, the water park adjacent to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Details here.
Catapult Falls at SeaWorld San Antonio
- San Antonio, Texas
- Opening date: Spring 2024
Originally slated to open in 2023, Catapult Falls will be the “world’s first launched flume coaster,” according to SeaWorld. Details here.
Country Bear Musical Jamboree at Magic Kingdom
- Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
- Opening date: TBA 2024
This re-do of Country Bear Jamboree will swap out the ’70s country songs for Disney tunes. The troupe of familiar bear characters will remain. The traditional version of the attraction is still open at the time of this writing; Disney has not announced a closing date. Details here.
Cyborg: Cyber Revolution at Six Flags Fiesta Texas
- San Antonio, Texas
- Opening date: TBA 2024
You may have seen this near-miss spinning ride, manufactured by Zamperla, at various parks. This version will be part of an expansion of DC Universe at Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Details here.
Daddy Pig’s Roller Coaster (and More) at Peppa Pig Theme Park Dallas-Fort Worth
- North Richland Hills, Texas
- Opening date: TBA 2024
The second Peppa Pig Theme Park will open in Texas sometime in 2024 (the first opened next door to Legoland Florida in 2022). Details here.
The new sensory-friendly park will feature many similar attractions to the first iteration, including:
- Daddy Pig’s Roller Coaster
- Peppa Pig’s Balloon Ride
- Granddad Dog’s Pirate Boat Ride
- Grampy Rabbit’s Dinosaur Adventure
- Mr. Bull’s High Striker
- Muddy Puddles Splash Pad
- Peppa’s Pedal Bike Tour
- George’s Tricycle Trail
Danse Macabre at Efteling
- Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands
- Opening date: TBA 2024
This ride on a spinning turntable with an intricate backstory will replace the park’s former Spookslot Haunted House. Details here.
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem (and More) at Universal Studios Singapore
- Sentosa, Singapore
- Opening date: TBA 2024
Minion Land will open at Universal Studios Singapore sometime in 2024. The area will feature the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem simulator attraction (which already exists in various Universal parks worldwide), plus a yet-to-be-announced attraction that Universal described as “a world’s first original ride exclusive to Universal Studios Singapore.” Details here.
Photo courtesy of Universal
Descpiable Me Minion Mayhem first opened at Universal Studios Florida in 2012. That park expanded the story’s footprint with a Minion Land of its own in 2023.
“Disney Electrical Sky Parade” at Disneyland Paris
- Coupvray, France
- Performs Jan. 8 – Sept. 30, 2024
This “drone parade in the sky” will celebrate the former fan favorite “Main Street Electrical Parade.” Details here.
The Dolly Parton Experience at Dollywood
- Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
- Opening date: May 2024
This walkthrough attraction will present an interactive journey through Dolly Parton’s career and personal life. It will be three times bigger than Chasing Rainbows Museum, a previous attraction of similar nature. Details here.
DreamWorks Animation Attractions (TBA) at Universal Studios Florida
- Orlando, Fla.
- Opening date: TBA 2024
Universal Studios Florida will open a land themed to DreamWorks Animation films (like “Shrek,” “Trolls,” and more) in the area formerly occupied by much of Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone.
The land’s name and attractions are yet to be announced. It appears, though, the area will retain and re-theme the former Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster, plus introduce Shrek’s house. E.T. Adventure isn’t going anywhere. Details here.
Photos by bioreconstruct
Photos by bioreconstruct
Duplo Little Dino Trail at Legoland California
- Carlsbad, Calif.
- Opening date: Spring 2024
In this ride, opening as part of Legoland California’s new Dino Valley area, guests will use cameras to play hide & seek with dinosaurs. Details here.
Explorer River Quest at Legoland California
- Carlsbad, Calif.
- Opening date: Spring 2024
Another attraction in the park’s new Dino Valley area, Explorer River Quest will be a water ride through a prehistoric world. Details here.
Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies at Tokyo DisneySea
- Urayasu, Chiba, Japan
- Opening date: June 6, 2024
Visitors will travel with Tinker Bell through the four seasons in this new ride. The attraction will be part of Peter Pan’s Never Land, one of three areas within Fantasy Springs, the upcoming eighth port of call at Tokyo DisneySea. Details here.
Fire in the Hole at Silver Dollar City
- Branson, Mo.
- Opening date: Spring 2024
This indoor family roller coaster will replace the long-operating attraction of the same name. Details here.
The Flash: Speed Force at Warner Bros. Movie World
- Oxenford, Queensland, Australia
- Opening date: April 2024
Guests will spin in circles atop a large, skateboard-like ride vehicle in this coaster themed to The Flash, of DC Comics fame. Details here.
The Flash: Vertical Velocity at Six Flags Great Adventure
- Jackson Township, N.J.
- Opening date: TBA 2024
This boomerang roller coaster built by ride manufacturer Vekoma will reach almost 60 mph as it takes riders forward and backward. Not to be confused with the Intamin-built coaster of the same name, which opened in 2001 at Six Flags Great America. Details here.
Fly with Appa at Nickelodeon Universe
- Bloomington, Minn.
- Opening date: Spring 2024
This hub-and-spoke ride, akin to Dumbo and similar models, will star Appa the sky bison from “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” Nickelodeon Universe is an all-indoor theme park inside Mall of America. Details here.
Good Gravy! at Holiday World
- Santa Claus, Ind.
- Opening date: May 2024
This Thanksgiving-themed roller coaster, built by Vekoma, will fashion huge gravy boats as its makeshift coaster trains. Details here.
Hot Wheels Bone Shaker: The Ultimate Ride at Mattel Adventure Park
- Glendale, Ariz.
- Opening date: TBA 2024
This family roller coaster at the new Mattel Adventure Park will reach a height of 84 feet and feature a double helix. Details here.
Hot Wheels Twin Mill Racer at Mattel Adventure Park
- Glendale, Ariz.
- Opening date: TBA 2024
This roller coaster at the new Mattel Adventure Park will feature two loops and two corkscrews. Upon launching, Hot Wheels Twin Mill Racer will go from 0 to 50 mph in three seconds. The coaster is designed to bring to life Hot Wheels adventures kids have created in their living rooms for decades. Details here.
Hot Wheels Unleashed 4D Ride (and More) at Mattel Adventure Park
- Glendale, Ariz.
- Opening date: TBA 2024
In addition to two roller coasters (see above), Hot Wheels attractions at the new Mattel Adventure Park will include Hot Wheels Unleashed 4D Ride, Hot Wheels Party Pit Stop, Hot Wheels Go-Karting, and Hot Wheels Speed Challenge. At this time, Mattel has only announced these attractions’ names, with no further details.
Ice Skating Show (Title TBA) at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- Tampa, Fla.
- Opening date: Summer 2024
A new ice skating production will debut at the Moroccan Theater in Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. “Turn It Up Remix” will return in spring 2024, followed by the new ice skating show in summer 2024. Details here.
Photo courtesy of Busch Gardens
Iron Menace at Dorney Park
- Allentown, Penn.
- Opening date: TBA 2024
This dive coaster, manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard, will feature a backstory about a steel baron who’s up to no good. Details here.
Jewels of the Sea: The Jellyfish Experience at SeaWorld San Diego
- San Diego, Calif.
- Opening date: TBA 2024
In this new aquarium space, guests will be able to see and learn about moon jellyfish, Pacific Sea nettles, upside-down jellyfish, and comb jellies. Details here.
The Joker: Carnival of Chaos at Six Flags St. Louis
- Eureka, Mo.
- Opening date: TBA 2024
Swinging and spinning, this attraction will reach almost 75 mph and soar 172 feet into the air. Identical attraction already open at Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Similar to Sky Striker, opening in 2024 at Six Flags Great America (see below). Details here.
Jungle Rush at Dreamworld
- Coomera, Queensland, Australia
- Opening date: Late 2024
This new roller coaster, manufactured by Vekoma, will travel both forward and backward. Jungle Rush will be part of Rivertown, a new area at Dreamworld that will also include Murrissippi Motors (see below). Details here.
Lego Ferrari Build & Race at Legoland Florida
- Winter Haven, Fla.
- Opening date: Spring 2024
Guests can design and virtually race in their own Lego Ferrari in this new attraction, which is already open at Legoland California and Legoland Windsor. Details here.
“Lego World Parade” at Legoland California
- Carlsbad, Calif.
- Opening date: TBA 2024
This parade will make its North America debut to celebrate Legoland California’s 25th birthday, or as they’re calling it, their 25th “brick-day.” Details here.
“The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
- Opening date: Fall 2024
This indoor show will be a revamped version of “Voyage of the Little Mermaid,” which first opened in 1992 and did not re-open following the pandemic shutdowns. Details here.
The Loch Ness Monster: The Legend Lives On at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
- Williamsburg, Va.
- Opening date: TBA 2024
This overhaul of the original Loch Ness Monster roller coaster will feature over 900 feet of new track, traveling 60 mph in a start-to-finish updated experience. Details here.
Metropolis Transit Authority at Six Flags Fiesta Texas
- San Antonio, Texas
- Opening date: TBA 2024
This elevated train will traverse above the park’s newly expanded DC Universe. Details here.
Midnight Flyer at Santa’s Village
- Jefferson, N.H.
- Opening date: TBA 2024
This family roller coaster will invite riders to imagine flying in Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve. Details here.
“A Million Splashes of Colour” at Disneyland Paris
- Coupvray, France
- Performs Feb. 10 – Sept. 30, 2024
This new daytime show will star characters from “Moana,” “Encanto,” “Wish,” and more. Details here.
Mine Cart Madness at Universal Studios Japan
- Osaka, Japan
- Opening date: Spring 2024
This Donkey Kong roller coaster will make riders feel like they’re jumping the track. It will open as part of a Donkey Kong Country expansion to Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios of Japan. A version of Mine Cart Madness is also expected to open in 2025 at Universal Epic Universe in Orlando, Fla. Details here.
Minifigure Speedway at Legoland Windsor
- Windsor, Berkshire, England
- Opening date: Spring 2024
At 35 mph, this roller coaster will be the fastest in the park, taking riders forward and backward along one of two dueling tracks. Details here.
“Minnie @ Funderland” at Tokyo Disneyland
- Urayasu, Chiba, Japan
- Performs Jan. 10 – Mar. 19, 2024
This parade will be part of “Minnie’s Funderland,” a limited-time festival celebrating Minnie Mouse. Details here.
Murrissippi Motors at Dreamworld
- Coomera, Queensland, Australia
- Opening date: Late 2024
To connect with Dreamworld’s new jungle-themed Rivertown area, the park’s existing Vintage Cars Adventure will relocate and receive a fleet of new vehicles, becoming known as Murrissippi Motors. Rivertown will also include the Jungle Rush roller coaster (see above). Details here.
Penguin Trek at SeaWorld Orlando
- Orlando, Fla.
- Opening date: Spring 2024
This roller coaster will traverse indoors and outdoors among the footprint of the former Empire of the Penguin attraction, concluding at the park’s penguin exhibit. Details here.
Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure at Tokyo DisneySea
- Urayasu, Chiba, Japan
- Opening date: June 6, 2024
Guests will help Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, and the Lost Kids rescue John Darling from Captain Hook in this six-minute ride. The attraction will be part of Peter Pan’s Never Land, one of three areas within Tokyo DisneySea’s huge Fantasy Springs port of call. Note: This ride will open in addition to, not in replacement of, the classic Peter Pan’s Flight attraction located next door at Tokyo Disneyland. Details here.
Phoenix Rising at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- Tampa, Fla.
- Opening date: Spring 2024
This roller coaster will be the first in the park to feature onboard audio. The manufacturer is Bolliger & Mabillard. Details here.
Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo DisneySea
- Urayasu, Chiba, Japan
- Opening date: June 6, 2024
This boat ride will tell the story of “Tangled.” The attraction will be part of Rapunzel’s Forest, one of three areas within the Fantasy Springs expansion at Tokyo DisneySea. Details here.
Sally’s Swing Along at Knott’s Berry Farm
- Buena Park, Calif.
- Opening date: Memorial Day Weekend 2024
This oversized swing is part of a re-imagining of Camp Snoopy at Knott’s Berry Farm. Other enhancements include overhauls of existing attractions and the new Snoopy’s Tenderpaw Twister Coaster (see below). Details here.
Sally’s Swing Along appears similar to (if perhaps a bit larger than) Boots’ Banana Swing at Nickelodeon Universe (located inside Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn.). The latter was originally announced to open “winter 2023,” but seems to not yet be operating, its website still saying it’s “coming soon.”
Shazam! Tower of Eternity at Six Flags Fiesta Texas
- San Antonio, Texas
- Opening date: TBA 2024
This rotating drop tower will be part of the expansion of the park’s existing DC Universe area. Details here.
Sky Striker at Six Flags Great America
- Gurnee, Ill.
- Opening date: TBA 2024
Swinging and spinning, this attraction will reach almost 75 mph and soar 172 feet into the air. Identical attraction already open at Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Similar to The Joker: Carnival of Chaos, opening in 2024 at Six Flags St. Louis (see above). Details here.
Snoopy’s Soap Box Racers at Kings Island
- Mason, Ohio
- Opening date: TBA 2024
This family boomerang coaster will travel forward and backward. It’s part of the transformation of Kings Island’s Planet Snoopy area into becoming Camp Snoopy. The project will also include a new play area called Beagle Scout Acres. Details here.
Snoopy’s Tenderpaw Twister Coaster at Knott’s Berry Farm
- Buena Park, Calif.
- Opening date: Memorial Day Weekend 2024
This kiddie coaster will take riders around its tracks twice. Beagle Scout Snoopy will host the proceedings, part of the larger Camp Snoopy overhaul at Knott’s Berry Farm. Details here.
SpongeBob’s Crazy Carnival Ride at Circus Circus Hotel & Casino and The Land of Legends Theme Park
- Las Vegas, Nev. and Antalya, Turkey
- Opening date: Early Q1 2024 (Vegas), 2024 (Turkey)
SpongeBob’s Crazy Carnival Ride, created by Sally Dark Rides, will take riders to Bikini Bottom with animatronics and media-based effects. The dark ride will debut in early Q1 2024 at Circus Circus Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. Later in 2024, a version of the ride will open at The Land of Legends Theme Park in Turkey. Details here.
SteamWhirler at Six Flags America
- Bowie, Md.
- Opening date: Summer 2024
This near-miss spinning ride from Zamperla will be part of the park’s new SteamTown area. Nearby, existing attractions formerly known as Mind Eraser, Renegade Rapids, and Coyote Creek Crazy Cars will be re-themed and annexed into SteamTown. Details here.
Tassie’s Underwater Twist at Aquatica Orlando
- Orlando, Fla.
- Opening date: Spring 2024
This enclosed tube slide will feature video elements and music. Details here.
Thomas & Friends: World of Sodor at Mattel Adventure Park
- Glendale, Ariz.
- Opening date: TBA 2024
This area featuring Thomas the Tank Engine at the new Mattel Adventure Park will include:
- Thomas Adventure Train: Treasure Hunt
- Thomas & Friends: Party Station
- Bertie’s Bus Stop
- Bullstrode’s Stormy Voyage
- Flynn’s Firefighting Academy
- Harold’s Helicopter Tour
- Sodor Balloon Ride
At this time, Mattel Adventure Park has not announced details beyond the attractions’ names.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland and Magic Kingdom
- Anaheim, Calif. and Orlando, Fla.
- Opening date: TBA 2024
This “Princess and the Frog”-themed log flume will replace the already-closed Splash Mountain on both American coasts. While Disney originally said the ride would open “late 2024,” the company now simply refers to a “2024” opening timeframe. Details here.
Tikitapu Splash at Aquatica San Antonio
- San Antonio, Texas
- Opening date: TBA 2024
At this water playground, three buckets will dump over 1,300 gallons of water upon guests. Details here.
Top Thrill 2 at Cedar Point
- Sandusky, Ohio
- Opening date: Summer 2024
This overhaul of the former Top Thrill roller coaster will launch both forward and backward, reaching speeds of up to 120 mph and a height of 420 feet. Details here.
Voltron Nevera at Europa-Park
- Rust, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
- Opening date: Summer 2024
This roller coaster, manufactured by Mack Rides, will boast seven inversions and four launches, one of which will be positioned at a record-setting 105 degrees. Details here.
Water-Themed Roller Coaster (Name TBA) at Six Flags Over Georgia
- Austell, Ga.
- Opening date: Summer 2024
On this new roller coaster, riders will travel forward and backward, spinning on a gondola atop a surfboard-shaped ride vehicle and gliding along a splash zone on the way. Over 26,000 fans voted to determine the coaster’s name, which Six Flags will reveal later. The coaster will be manufactured by Intamin. Details here.
“The Wizard of Oz” Suspended Coaster and Boomerang Coaster at Warner Bros. Movie World
- Oxenford, Queensland, Australia
- Opening date: TBA 2024
Two new, yet-to-be-named roller coasters — a suspended coaster and a dual-track, boomerang racer — will be part of this new land themed to “The Wizard of Oz.” Details here.
123 Playground at Sesame Place Philadelphia
- Langhorne, Pa.
- Opening date: Spring 2024
This 3,000-square-foot children’s play area will reside in the former spot of the park’s Sunny Day Carousel, which will be relocated. Details here.
Beyond Attractions and Beyond 2024
In addition to formal, full-scale attractions, the themed entertainment industry will debut a host of other new and updated experiences in 2024, including:
- The re-imagining of Disneyland Hotel at Disneyland Paris (opening Jan. 25, 2024)
- New missions featuring Ahsoka on Star Tours: The Adventures Continue at Disneyland, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Walt Disney Studios (starting spring 2024)
- A new lift hill for Lightning Rod at Dollywood (operating spring 2024)
- Updates to “Fantasmic!” at Disneyland (debuting May 24, 2024)
Image courtesy of Dollywood
- Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs Hotel (opening June 6, 2024)
- Bluey’s World, an interactive experience in Brisbane, Australia (opening August 2024)
- The Disney Treasure cruise ship (sailing Dec. 21, 2024)
- To-be-announced details for seasonal events like Halloween Horror Nights at Universal parks
Looking beyond 2024, all eyes are turned to Universal Orlando Resort and its 2025 grand opening of Universal Epic Universe, a completely new theme park.
Epic Universe will include Super Nintendo World, and aerial construction views all but confirm additional areas themed to “Harry Potter,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” and Universal monsters. That being said, Nintendo is still the only land officially announced by Universal at the time of this writing.
Photo by bioreconstruct
Elsewhere, Universal is currently constructing a kids’ park in Texas and a year-round haunt attraction in Las Vegas, and is considering land near London for a potential future park.
Other under-construction attractions that remain undated include a “Fast & Furious” roller coaster at Universal Studios Hollywood and a “Frozen” land at Walt Disney Studios in Paris.
Image courtesy of Disney
Meanwhile, Walt Disney World has plans to replace DinoLand U.S.A. at Animal Kingdom and expand “beyond Big Thunder” at Magic Kingdom. Imagineers have yet to publicly announce the locked-in concepts for those spaces, though attractions based on “Encanto,” Indiana Jones, and other stories “are being considered.” Similarly, some form of a “Zootopia” attraction will replace “It’s Tough to be a Bug!” in the future at Animal Kingdom, but Disney was still “finalizing the concept” upon the project’s quasi-announcement earlier this year.
Image courtesy of Disney
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi has promised the arrival of a “Harry Potter” land at its indoor theme park, but has not yet announed details or a timeframe.
We look forward to bringing you coverage of these and more here on AttractionsMagazine.com in the new year. Thank you for your readership!
2024 is looking like a GREAT year of attractions!
* Don’t forget about SpongeBob’s Crazy Carnival Ride (#2) coming to The Land of Legends, also this opening year! It will be a hilariously entertaining, interactive attraction sending guests through seafloor scenes brought to life through vibrant sets, special effects, animatronics, and vivid integrated projections, fully submersing riders in the nautical nonsense of SpongeBob SquarePants.
Added! Thanks.
Hyperia at Thorpe Park in the UK will be the UK’s tallest and fastest coaster, opening this year.
And the retrack of Nemesis reopens as Nemesis Reborn at Alton Towers, with a refresh to the original 1994 story. (Check the marketing out, it’s been amazing)