Top 10 Most Anticipated New Attractions Opening in 2022

It’s been a challenging few years in the theme park world. Parks have closed, attractions have been delayed, and guests have stayed away. We could see similar trends in 2022, but I’m trying to stay optimistic. There are quite a few exciting dark rides and roller coasters opening this year. Some originally were planned to open in 2020 and are finally ready to thrill guests. Others are more recent announcements that we did not expect until recently. I tried to avoid just focusing on the biggest destinations with these picks. Some choices are obvious, while others might surprise you. Let’s dive into my most anticipated new attractions opening in 2022!

Special Mention: Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser (March 1)

I’m curious about Disney’s ambitious mix of a hotel and immersive theater setting. The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser should provide a good time, but a starting price of $5,999 for a family of four seems outlandish for just two nights. Setting aside the price, I’m interested to see if Disney can really make this a success. Initial reactions to the promos have been mixed to say the least, with one video quickly removed from existence. Guests will expect a personal experience that goes well beyond just crafts, trivia, and scavenger hunts. I hope that Disney blows everyone away, but there are big obstacles to overcome (including COVID). I can’t wait to see what happens.

10. Jumanji: The Adventure, Gardaland (Early 2022)

Let’s start with a dark ride that’s way off the beaten path for me. Merlin Entertainment operates the Gardaland Park in northeastern Italy, and its latest attraction will be the first themed to Jumanji. Beyond its connection to the movie, this feels like a classic jungle adventure. Guests will board four-person jeeps and encounter a wide range of challenges, including a large hippo. I was impressed by the reveal of the Stone Giant animatronic, a 21-foot-tall enemy with a giant head. Based on the info we know so far, this should be a really fun attraction. I doubt that I’ll be visiting Italy any time soon, but it will be fun to see how it comes out this year.

9. Pirates of Speelunker Cave, Six Flags Over Texas (Early 2022)

It’s rare to see dark rides at Six Flags’ parks, so it’s always great when they invest in them. This re-imagined version of The Cave looks like a fun boat ride with updated technology, including animatronics and projection effects. I’m also excited to see the redesigned entry plaza, which will offer views of the ride’s first drop. Legoland Florida will also introduce Pirate River Quest, a boat ride through the “uncharted waters of the legendary Cypress Gardens“. It’s going to be a good year for pirates.

8. Ice Breaker, SeaWorld Orlando (February 18, 2022)

This is the first of three entries from SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment on this list, and I could easily add a fourth one. The Emperor dive coaster at SeaWorld San Diego should also provide a good ride when it opens in March. That B&M coaster will have a 143-foot, face-down vertical drop that scares me a little just thinking about it. Even more exciting is Ice Breaker, which will be SeaWorld’s first launch coaster when it opens next month. Several ride elements in this Premier Rides coaster look incredible, including the 93-foot tall spike with a 100-degree angle. It should bring a lot of positive attention to an Orlando park that could use some help.

7. Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs, Hong Kong Disneyland (TBD 2022)

Similar to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, this new coaster will be part of the Arendelle: World of Frozen expansion at Hong Kong Disneyland. It’s still unclear when it will open (and if it will be this year), but I’m excited for a new themed coaster from Disney. This land will also include Frozen Ever After, which is a little disappointing since there are no restrictions of space like with Maelstrom. It’s great to see Disney investing to expand the resort, and Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs should be unique to Hong Kong. I hope it continues the progress in improving that growing park.

6. ArieForce One, Fun Spot America in Atlanta (TBD 2022)

You know the landscape for amusement parks is changing when some of the year’s most anticipated coasters aren’t at the expected parks. For example, the new infinity shuttle coaster from Gerstlauer (Palindrome) is opening at the unknown Cotaland in Austin. There’s a similar case with Fun Spot America in Atlanta, which isn’t known for having major rides. Getting a new RMC coaster will completely change that perception. Located in Fayetteville, this regional park will now have a 154-foot-high coaster with top speeds of 64 miles an hour. This looks to be another amazing ride from RMC, and it should draw a lot of coaster fans to Fun Spot America.

5. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, EPCOT (Summer 2022)

It feels like Disney’s latest coaster has been under construction for a long time, which makes it hard to keep up the sense of anticipation. I still wonder how the Imagineers will attempt to connect the Guardians of the Galaxy into EPCOT. Peter Quill visiting as a kid likely won’t get a mention again. This will be a long, high-tech coaster with a backwards launch, rotating vehicles, and a massive show building. I’m expecting a fun attraction that draws massive crowds. The backward launch should provide a thrill, and I’m hoping for good projection effects. The big question is whether Cosmic Rewind will be just a solid coaster or one of the best Walt Disney World attractions. I suspect it won’t reach those heights but am hoping it exceeds my conservative expectations.

4. Volkanu: Quest for the Golden Idol, Lost Island Theme Park (Summer 2022)

It’s awesome to have a new theme park opening in the U.S., especially one that’s a fairly short drive from St. Louis. Located in Waterloo, Iowa, Lost Island will be a brand new destination connected with the current water park there. One of the highlights should be Volkanu: Quest for the Golden Idol, a custom attraction designed by Sally Dark Rides. The interactive 3D dark ride follows the area’s mythical island theme and should include animatronics and special effects. I can’t wait to experience a new addition that should be one of the highlights of Lost Island.

3. Pantheon, Busch Gardens Williamsburg (March 25, 2022)

We’ve received the top tier of coasters opening this year, and Pantheon has a fitting name. The 180-foot-tall ride will reach speeds of 73 miles per hour and include two inversions plus a 95-degree drop. The Intamin coaster should definitely please thrill seekers; I wonder how well my body could handle this Intamin coaster’s four launches. Busch Gardens Williamsburg has released an official POV video to build anticipation for its opening in a few months. I hope to have a podcast review from a guest on the ground who will check out this “fastest multi-launch coaster” in March.

2. Iron Gwazi, Busch Gardens Tampa (March 11, 2022)

It was a close competition between this pick and Pantheon for this #2 slot; the slight edge comes from RMC. Coaster fans have been excited to check out this new RMC hybrid coaster since it was announced several years ago. It will use the I-Box track to restore elements of Gwazi but should take it to another level. Also opening in March, Iron Gwazi will be 206 feet tall and include a 91-degree drop, three inversions, and 12 air-time moments. The top speed of 76 miles per hour is getting up there for me. Busch Gardens Tampa has also released an official POV video, which showcases an extremely steep lift hill and the many exciting moments of this coaster.

1. Tron Lightcycle Power Run, The Magic Kingdom (Late 2022)

I’ve been excited to ride Disney’s Tron coaster since it opened at Shanghai Disneyland in 2016. The show building looks incredible, and the mix of lights and Daft Punk’s music just adds to the vibrant atmosphere. It will be interesting to see how it fits in Tomorrowland alongside Space Mountain. That area will be hopping at night! The color-shifting canopy fits perfectly with the style of TRON: Legacy. I know the ride is fairly short, but the Vekoma motorbike coaster is unlike anything that I’ve experienced. The LIM launch should provide a thrill we rarely experience at Walt Disney World, and I can’t wait to get there. This is going to be a hot ticket, so the only trick will be finding a way to actually grab a spot in line. Regardless, it should provide a jolt to The Magic Kingdom and change how we experience the park.

Related Articles: 2022 Attractions

Shanghai Disneyland and a New Tomorrowland

Episode 126: Mary Kwiatkowski on Thrills and Charm at Busch Gardens Williamsburg