A new year means a plethora of new attractions at theme parks across the country. But will they be enough to revive the growth of the industry?
Disneyland hasn’t announced any major new attractions in 2022, but it will bring back its best nightly shows, including Fantasmic !, World of Color, and the Main Street Electrical Parade, as the resort continues its recovery from the pandemic. Meanwhile, work continues to transform Mickey’s Toontown for the arrival of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway in 2023.
Universal Studios Hollywood has not announced an opening date for the Super Nintendo World land and its actual Mario Kart tour. Based on the progress of the work, the second half of 2022 remains possible. But California theme park fans are sure to have something big in 2022 with the transformation of the former Aquatica water park into Sesame Place San Diego in March.
A month before that, another beloved children’s franchise will have its own park. America’s first Peppa Pig theme park opens in February alongside Legoland Florida, which will launch a Pirate River Quest attraction next year. Other new parks slated to debut in 2022 include Lost Island Theme Park in Iowa and a Mattel Adventure Park at the Crystal Lagoons Island Resort outside of Phoenix.
Walt Disney World in Florida will open its two-day Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser interactive hotel and role-playing experience in March, while Epcot will host its first roller coaster, the indoor Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, the next time. summer, just in time for the park’s 40th anniversary in the fall.
Six Flags Over Texas recalls its history with a revamped Pirates of Speelunker Cave boat ride, while Monterey’s Cannery Row receives Treasure Hunt: The Ride, an interactive Sally Dark Rides attraction that will be themed on real life California “pirate” Hippolyte Bouchard, according to Sally.
Returning to Southern California, Six Flags Magic Mountain will join its record-breaking roller coaster lineup in 2022 with its first Rocky Mountain Construction single-rail coaster, Wonder Woman Flight of Courage. In March, SeaWorld San Diego will open Emperor, California’s first Bolliger & Mabillard dive coaster, with a 90-degree face-down drop of 143 feet.
Elsewhere, Six Flags Fiesta Texas will also open a Bolliger & Mabillard dive coaster in 2022 with Dr. Diabolical’s Cliffhanger, while Busch Gardens Tampa will launch Iron Gwazi, a reconstruction of Rocky Mountain Construction of its old wooden Gwazi coasters. Sister park Busch Gardens Williamsburg has turned to Intamin for its new multi-launch coaster, Pantheon, while SeaWorld Orlando is opening Ice Breaker, a Premier Rides Sky Rocket model. All should open in the spring.
Finally, the Circuit of the Americas Formula 1 race track in Austin, TX announced a Gerstlauer Infinity shuttle coaster called Palindrome for its Cotaland theme park.
There will be plenty of new attractions to draw fans in in 2022. But with the COVID-19 variants remaining a threat, how many will show up to take advantage?
