Theme park news
New rides, new parks, park changes and awards. Each story is written from the park's or organizer's own announcement and links to it.
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California's Great America will close after its 2027 season
Six Flags said the Santa Clara park, open since 1976, will run a farewell season in 2027 and close for good after Labor Day, September 6, 2027.
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Knoebels' Hallo-Fun voted best theme park Halloween event of 2026
USA Today 10Best readers ranked Hallo-Fun at Knoebels first among theme park Halloween events, ahead of Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld Orlando.
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COTALAND theme park opens at Circuit of the Americas in Austin
The park beside the Formula 1 track in Austin, Texas, opened on September 26, 2026, with more than 30 rides and attractions and a tilt coaster.
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Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift opens at Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood opened Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift on September 16, 2026, a 72 mph launch coaster with rotating cars.
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Fury 325 and The Voyage top Amusement Today's 2026 Golden Ticket Awards
Carowinds' Fury 325 won best steel coaster for a 10th time and Holiday World took three Golden Tickets at the 2026 awards in Austin, Texas.
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Six Flags Magic Mountain plans Thrill Glider, a new coaster type, for 2027
Six Flags Magic Mountain is building Thrill Glider, the first Vekoma Thrillglider, with riders lying face-forward below the track, for 2027.
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Clementon Park & Splash World closes for good after 119 years
The New Jersey amusement and water park, founded in 1907, will not reopen after its 2026 season, and its owners plan to sell the property.
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Six Flags St. Louis is renamed Mid America Adventure
The Eureka, Missouri, park dropped the Six Flags name on August 27, 2026, after Six Flags sold it to EPR Properties and Enchanted Parks took over.
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Silver Dollar City plans Miner's Mountain Express family coaster for 2027
Silver Dollar City's Miner's Mountain Express, a Mack Rides family coaster with more than half a mile of track, is scheduled to open in spring 2027.
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Six Flags Great Adventure plans Bakunawa, a 382-foot spinning coaster
Six Flags Great Adventure plans Bakunawa for 2027, a Mack Rides spinning launch coaster the park says will reach 382 feet and 100 mph.
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Holiday World plans Cannonball!, a $22 million water coaster, for 2027
Holiday World is building Cannonball!, a Mack Rides water coaster with a 75-foot drop and a 45 mph top speed, scheduled to open in May 2027.
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Universal Kids Resort opens in Frisco, Texas
Universal opened its first theme park designed for young children on July 1, 2026, in Frisco, Texas, with seven themed lands and a 300-room hotel.
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Silver Dollar City and Knoebels' Phoenix top USA Today 10Best polls
USA Today 10Best readers voted Silver Dollar City the best theme park of 2026 and Phoenix at Knoebels the best roller coaster.
