U.S. Parks and Attractions Unveil Exciting New Experiences in Time for Summer
ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Parks and attractions throughout the United States will debut multimillion-dollar rides and attractions to entertain all ages this summer. From innovative roller coasters, towering swing rides, and exhilarating waterslides to saltwater adventures, family-friendly exhibits, and spectacular shows, there is something for the entire family to enjoy.
"Amusement parks from the Carolinas to the California coast are preparing to open hundreds of millions of dollars of thrilling new attractions for families to enjoy," said Susan Mosedale, executive vice president of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). "Ingenuity and excitement drive our industry and this year families will experience both in everything from entirely new parks to amazing new rides and waterslides."
More than 300 million people visit U.S. amusement parks annually and contribute more than $57 billion to the nation's economy.
Here is a preview of what's new in the U.S. in 2011:
Alabama
- Alabama Adventure adds "BuzzSaw Falls." www.alabamaadventure.com
California
- Belmont Park introduces "The Octotron." www.belmontpark.com
- Disney California Adventure debuts, "The Little Mermaid Ariel's Undersea Adventure."http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneys-california-adventure/
- Disneyland opens "Star Tours" and "Mickey's Soundsational Parade." http://disneyland.disney.go.com
- Knott's Berry Farm opens "WindSeeker" www.knotts.com
- Legoland California adds "Star Wars Miniland." www.legoland.com
- Legoland Water Park opens "Splash Zoo." http://california.legoland.com
- Monterey Bay Aquarium debuts "The Open Sea." www.montereybayaquarium.org
- Raging Waters San Jose adds "Bombs Away." www.rwsplash.com
- Sea Life Aquarium opens "Octopus Garden." www.visitsealife.com/California
- SeaWorld San Diego introduces "Turtle Reef," "Turtlelink," "RiptideRescue," "Sea Lions Live," "One Ocean." www.seaworld.com/sdpressroom
- Six Flags Discovery Kingdom unveils "SkyScreamer." www.sixflags.com/discoverykingdom
- Six Flags Magic Mountain adds "Green Lantern," "Escape from Krypton," children's coaster. www.sixflags.com/magicMountain/index.aspx
Connecticut
- Lake Compounce delivers "Rev-O-Lution." www.lakecompounce.com.
- Quassy Amusement Park debuts "The Wooden Warrior." www.quassy.com
Florida
- Busch Gardens Tampa adds "Cheetah Hunt," and Cheetah Run. www.buschgardens.com/bgt/default.aspx
- Discovery Cove debuts "Grand Reef" and "SeaVenture." www.discoverycove.com
- Disney's Animal Kingdom introduces "Wild AfricaTrek." http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/animal-kingdom
- Disney's Hollywood Studios debuts "Disney Junior – Live on Stage!" "Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun!" and "Star Tours." http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/hollywood-studios
- Legoland Florida opens. www.LEGOLANDFloridaResort.com
- SeaWorld Orlando debuts "One Ocean." www.seaworld.com/orlando
Georgia
- Georgia Aquarium premieres "AT&T Dolphin Tales." www.georgiaaquarium.org
- Six Flags Over Georgia opens "Dare Devil Dive." www.sixflags.com/overGeorgia/index.aspx
- Wild Adventures Water and Theme Park adds "Hakini Rapids" and "Kona Cliffs." http://wildadventures.net
Idaho
- Silverwood Theme Park opens "Ricochet Rapids." www.silverwoodthemepark.com
Illinois
- Shedd Aquarium unveils "Jellies." www.sheddaquarium.org
- Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags Great America opens Riptide Bay.www.sixflags.com/greatAmerica/index.aspx
Indiana
- Holiday World & Splashin' Safari introduces "Rudolph's Round-Up."
Kansas
- Schlitterbahn Kansas City Waterpark adds "Boogie Bahn," "Comal Express," and "Loopy Luge," "Der Bahn," "Blitz Falls," and "Rapids River." www.schlitterbahn.com/kc
Kentucky
- Beech Bend Park adds "Tiki Island." www.beechbend.com
- Newport Aquarium overhauls "Kroger Kingdom of Penguins." www.newportaquarium.com
Maryland
- Six Flags America introduces "Zoomazon Falls." www.sixflags.com/America
Massachusetts
- Six Flags New England adds "Gotham City: Gauntlet Escape from Arkham Asylum." www.sixflags.com/newEngland/index.aspx
Michigan
- WildWater Adventure Waterpark introduces "Beach Party." www.miadventure.com
- Air Zoo adds a nine-hole disc golf course. www.airzoo.org
- Detroit Zoo opens "Dinosauria," "Zoorassic Park," and "DinoTrail."www.detroitzoo.org
Minnesota
- Valleyfair introduces "Planet Snoopy!" www.valleyfair.com.
Missouri
- Showboat Branson Belle debuts "Encore!" and "Funny Fiddles." www.showboatbransonbelle.com
- Silver Dollar City adds "Half Dollar Holler." www.silverdollarcity.com
- Six Flags St. Louis introduces "SkyScreamer." www.sixflags.com/stLouis/index.aspx
- Track Family Fun Park opens "Heavy Metal High Rise." www.bransontracks.com
- White Water offers "Aloha River." www.bransonwhitewater.com
- Worlds of Fun unveils "Planet Snoopy." www.worldsoffun.com
New Hampshire
- Canobie Lake Park launches "Untamed." www.canobie.com
- Story Land debuts "Splash Battle Egypt." www.storylandnh.com
New Jersey
- Clementon Park and Splash World introduces "Torpedo Rush." www.clementonpark.com
- Morey's Surfside Pier unveils "it." www.MoreysPiers.com
- Six Flags Great Adventure launches "Green Lantern." www.sixflags.com/greatAdventure/index.aspx
New York
- Coney Island opens "Scream Zone," "Soaring Eagle," "Steeplechase." www.coneyisland.com/tourism.shtml
- The Coney Island History Project exhibits open at Deno's Wonder Wheel Park. www.wonderwheel.com
- Darien Lake Theme Park Resort adds "Brown Bear Cabins" that share a "Thomas & Friends Full Steam Ahead Live!" "Sea Lion Splash: A Family Affair," "Legends of Rock," "Jump, Jive and Swing," "Countdown to Fun," and "Midway Dance Party Blowout." http://godarienlake.com
- SplashDown Beach Waterpark unveils"Splash Works." www.splashdownbeach.com
- Splish Splash Waterpark opens "Kahuna Bay." www.splishsplashlongisland.com
Ohio
- Cedar Point introduces "WindSeeker." www.cedarpoint.com
- Kings Island adds "WindSeeker" and "Dinosaur Alive!" www.visitkingsisland.com
Oregon
- Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum opens Evergreen Wings & Waves Waterpark. www.evergreenmuseum.org
Pennsylvania
- Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark adds "SandStorm" and "Dune Runner." www.camelbeach.com
- Knoebels Amusement Resort opens "Black Diamond." www.knoebels.com
- SoakZone unveils "Wowabunga Family Wavepool." www.idlewild.com
- Waldameer expands with "Flying Swings," "Wendy's Tea Party," and "SS Wally." www.waldameer.com
South Carolina
- Pirates Voyage replaces Dixie Stampede. www.piratesvoyage.com
- "SkyWheel" opens http://themyrtlebeachskywheel.com
Tennessee
- Dollywood unveils "Barnstormer." www.dollywood.com
- Nashville Shores Waterpark opens "Kowabunga Beach." www.NashvilleShores.com
Texas
- Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Waterpark adds "Tubenbach," "The Falls," "Deluge Whirlpool River," "Boogie Bay Hot Tub," and the Boogie Bay Kids' Area. www.schlitterbahn.com
- Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark opens "Shipwreck Harbor Wave Lagoon." www.schlitterbahn.com
- Sea Life Aquarium opens. www.visitsealife.com
- SeaWorld San Antonio unveils "One Ocean" and Sesame Street Bay of Play, "Big Bird's Spinning Reef," "Elmo's Dolphin Dive," "Abby Cadabby's Rocking Wave," "Little Bird's Splash" and "Happenings." www.seaworld.com/sanantonio
- Six Flags Over Texas launches "Texas Giant." www.sixflags.com/overTexas/index.aspx
Utah
- Lagoon Park unveils "Bombora." www.lagoonpark.com/attractions/rides
Virginia
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg opens "Mäch Tower." www.buschgardens.com/Bgw
- Water Country USA adds "Vanish Point." www.watercountryusa.com
Wisconsin
- Bay Beach Amusement Park adds "Zippin Pippin." http://baybeach.org
About IAAPA
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) is the premier trade association for the attractions industry worldwide, www.IAAPA.org.
SOURCE IAAPA
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