2026 Theme Park Rides: Universal, Legoland & More!

2026 Set to Be a Thrilling Year for US Theme Park Enthusiasts with Six New Record-Breaking Rides

The year 2026 promises a surge of adrenaline for theme park fans across the United States, with six major new rides poised to redefine the thrills landscape. From record-breaking dive coasters to innovative hybrid attractions, parks are investing heavily in cutting-edge technology and immersive experiences. Here’s a first look at the most exhilarating additions coming to parks in Texas, California, Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Kentucky.

Universal Studios Hollywood to Launch First High-Speed Outdoor Rollercoaster

Universal Studios Hollywood is gearing up to unveil “Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift” in Los Angeles, California, a groundbreaking rollercoaster set to become the park’s first high-speed outdoor offering. Reaching speeds of up to 72 mph, the 4,100-foot-long track will catapult riders through 360-degree spins and multiple inversions, all within vehicles designed to resemble iconic cars from the Fast & Furious franchise.

The ride’s location on the “Upper Lot,” home to “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” will dramatically alter the park’s skyline, winding over pathways and the multi-level escalator system connecting to the Lower Lot. While other spinning rollercoasters exist, such as “Time Traveler” at Silver Dollar City in Missouri and Six Flags’ “Pandemonium,” they operate at significantly lower speeds. For visitors seeking convenient lodging, the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City offers an outdoor pool and is just a three-minute walk from the park.

Legoland Parks to Blast Off with Customizable Space Coaster

Legoland Florida Resort in Winter Haven and Legoland California Resort in Carlsbad are both preparing for the launch of “Galacticoaster,” a $90 million space-themed rollercoaster designed for families. Riders will experience speeds of up to 40 mph on the 1,500-foot-long ride, but the unique feature lies in the ability to customize a spaceship that flies alongside them on the journey.

Before boarding, guests will use interactive touchscreens to “build” their ship, selecting from over 625 possible combinations of noses, tails, wings, and “special features.” Each ship is then assigned to the rider via an RFID wristband, appearing throughout the experience. Convenient lodging options include the Courtyard by Marriott Winter Haven in Florida and the MarBrisa Carlsbad Resort in California.

Six Flags Over Texas to Shatter Records with “Tormenta: Rampaging Run”

Six Flags Over Texas is set to unleash “Tormenta: Rampaging Run,” a dive coaster poised to break six world records. If built to specifications, the ride will stand as the tallest dive coaster at 309 feet, boast the highest beyond-vertical drop at 285 feet and 95 degrees, achieve the fastest dive coaster speed at 87 mph, reach the highest “Immelmann inversion” at 218 feet, feature the tallest vertical loop at 179 feet, and span the longest dive coaster length at 4,199 feet.

Engineered by Bolliger & Mabillard, a firm known for its precision, the ride draws inspiration from the “Running of the Bulls” in Pamplona, Spain. Guests seeking a comfortable stay nearby can find accommodations at Live! by Loews in Arlington.

Dollywood’s “NightFlight Expedition” Promises a Four-in-One Experience

Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is investing $50 million in “NightFlight Expedition,” a unique attraction that blends four distinct experiences into one: a family rollercoaster, a gentle boat ride, whitewater thrills, and multimedia scenes. The ride utilizes an amphibious vehicle built by Mack Rides, capable of both floating on water and locking onto a rollercoaster track.

The five-and-a-half-minute journey simulates a search for bioluminescence in the Smoky Mountains, with the rollercoaster section mimicking a mountain ridge and the boat section navigating a surging river. Guests will be guided by scientists Cora and Jasper Oakley, who have invented a device to amplify the natural light emitted by living organisms. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa offers an inviting family-friendly option with a pool and spa.

Six Flags New England to Introduce “Quantum Accelerator”

Six Flags New England in Agawam, Massachusetts, is adding “Quantum Accelerator” in 2026, its first new coaster since 2017. Riders will straddle motorbike-style seats and experience two launches – one at 30 mph and another at 45 mph – along with 11 moments of “airtime” and sideways tipping as they navigate overbanked turns. The 2,604-foot-long ride also features a “Stengel dive,” a maneuver where the track sharply crests and then dives at over 90 degrees. The Hampton Inn Springfield South Enfield provides convenient lodging with free breakfast and parking.

Kentucky Kingdom to Take Flight with “Flying Fox”

Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville is preparing for the launch of “Flying Fox,” an inverted rollercoaster with suspended seating. The attraction, themed around crop-dusting pilot Jeb Fox, will send riders swooping over a Kentucky farmland setting at speeds of up to 37 mph. With a track length of 1,380 feet and a ride time of just over a minute, “Flying Fox” joins existing coasters like “Lightning Run” and “Thunder Run” in offering thrilling experiences. The historic Brown Hotel provides a charming lodging option nearby.

These six new rides represent a significant investment in the future of US theme parks, promising a new era of thrills and immersive entertainment for visitors in 2026.