The first half of 2023 has brought an array of new attractions and experiences, thrilling news, and sadly the end of several once-popular rides. From innovative coasters to announcements of what’s to come, we have seen much excitement these past six months!
In this mid-year review, we recap the most noteworthy news and highlights that have shaped the theme park landscape from January to June 2023.
Record-Breaking Coasters and New Attractions (including some re-opened attractions):
TRON Lightcycle / Run opened at Magic Kingdom in April. This thrilling coaster allows guests to enter the GRID on their very own Lightcycle! Though the coaster was met with some criticism for the Lightcycle vehicles not being size inclusive.
Pipeline: The Surf Coaster opened at SeaWorld Orlando as the first new stand-up coaster in over two decades. It features innovative new ride vehicles that move with the curves of the coaster and give the sensation of riding the waves.
DarKoaster opened at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. It is an indoor family coaster that pays homage to the former Curse of DarKastle attraction. This multi-launching coaster is North America’s first all-indoor straddle coaster.
Wildcat’s Revenge opened at Hersheypark earlier this month. The Rocky Mountain Construction hybrid coaster is a redesign of the former Wildcat wooden coaster. It includes four inversions and an 82-degree drop.
Zambezi Zinger opened at Worlds of Fun. It is a hybrid coaster that is named after the former Zambezi Zinger that operated from 1973-1997. It is the first new coaster at Worlds of Fun in over a decade.
Arctic Rescue opened at SeaWorld San Diego earlier this month. It is the longest and fastest straddle coaster on the West Coast. This family coaster puts riders on snowmobiles as they launch multiple times and reach speeds of 40 miles per hour.
AireForce One opened at Fun Spot America Atlanta. This RMC steel coaster features a 146 ft drop, four inversions, and an 83-degree drop.
Aquaman: Power Wave opened in March at Six Flags Over Texas. This coaster launches riders both forward and backward ending in a massive splashdown.
Big Bear Mountain opened at Dollywood in their Wildwood Grove section. This family-friendly coaster is the longest coaster at Dollywood. It looks to be a roaring good time!
Wild Mouse opened at Cedar Point as part of their new Boardwalk. This coaster pays homage to the former Wild Mouse coaster that used to call Cedar Point home, but with a twist, LITERALLY! This coaster features spinning mouse-theme cars that appear to chase a cheese-themed car.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway opened at Disneyland. This installation is nearly identical to the version at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Riders are sent on a wild adventure with Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, Daisy, and Conductor Goofy.
Serengeti Flyer opened at Busch Gardens Tampa as the tallest and fastest ride of its kind. This flat ride is a swinging-style ride where riders reach speeds of 68 miles per hour and a height of 135 feet!
El-Toro reopened at Six Flags Great Adventure earlier this month. The massive wooden coaster had been closed since August of 2022 following an incident where 14 riders were injured.
Now let’s explore the immersive lands and dining experiences which have opened already in 2023 and the attractions and Entertainment offerings we have sadly had to say goodbye to…
Immersive Lands and Dining Experiences:
Disney kicked off its Disney100 celebrations at all its theme parks. The festivities celebrate 100 years of the Disney company. It kicked off at Disneyland with a new nighttime spectacular, Wonderous Journeys. Of course, the celebration includes special merchandise found at all parks and on ShopDisney.
Aeronautica Landing opened at Carowinds as part of their 50th-anniversary celebration. It includes 6 family-friendly attractions all themed around adventure and innovation.
Adventure Port opened at Kings Island. This area of the park was redesigned to celebrate exploration. Two new attractions were added to the area called Cargo Loco and Sol Spin. A new queue and some theming were added to the Adventure Express coaster.
The Boardwalk opened at Cedar Point which includes the new coaster Wild Mouse. This area of the park was resigned to pay homage to the “Cedar Point of yesteryear.” The new theming included updated cues to current attractions, as well as the addition of Cedar Point’s Grand Pavilion.
Mickey’s Toon Town reopened at Disneyland in March. In addition to Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, the land now includes CenTOONial Park, Donald’s Duck Pond, and Goofy’s How-To-Play Yard.
Round Up Rodeo BBQ opened in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This table-service dining experience features barbeque favorites like ribs, brisket, and chicken. It is open for lunch and dinner.
Saying Goodbye to Several Attractions and Entertainment Offerings:
Splash Mountain officially closed at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. The iconic attractions gave the last rides as the parks prepare to transform the water ride into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Kentucky Kingdom announced the closure of T3 earlier this year. The suspended looping coaster was notorious for uncomfortable rides.
Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari announced that their Raging Rapids ride would be closing after over 3 decades in operation. The park also announced that a new attraction would come to Boulder Canyon soon.
Universal Studios began demolition of most of its Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone and Fievel’s Playland to make way for what many believe to be a Dreamworks-themed family area.
Poseidon’s Fury closed at Islands of Adventure. The popular attraction gave its last performance in May. It has been a fan favorite since its opening in 1999.
Walt Disney World ended its 18-month-long 50th-anniversary celebration at the end of March and with it came the end of Enchantment at Magic Kingdom and Harmonious at Epcot. However, Walt Disney World fans rejoiced at the return of Happily Ever After. Additionally, Epcot welcomed back Epcot Forever temporarily. They will introduce an all-new nighttime show later this year.
The first half of 2023 has been a transformative and exhilarating period for theme park enthusiasts. From the unveiling of record-breaking coasters to the addition of newly redesigned lands, the industry continues to evolve, offering guests increasingly immersive and thrilling experiences.
As we enter the second half of the year, anticipation builds for upcoming announcements, attractions, and innovations that will shape the future of theme parks.
