Theme parks cry wolf
The 2025 coaster countdown continues
Happy holidays, ATP subscribers. May your days be merry and bright! I’ll be taking a holiday break and will not be posting an article this Thursday.
Last week, I shared my picks for the top ten roller coasters on their way to North American parks in 2025. However, the coming year will be a prolific one with loads of new rides rolling out on midways. So, let’s keep the rundown going with another eight honorable mention coasters opening in the U.S.
Curse of the Werewolf at Universal Epic Universe in Florida
Among the slew of attractions opening at the rabidly anticipated Universal Epic Universe will be Curse of the Werewolf, a launched, spinning coaster from Mack Rides. Located in Dark Universe, the park’s classic monsters-themed land, it will feature Mack’s clever magnetically controlled spin feature. It will rotate the cars, but not at the sometimes frantic pace found on free-spinning coasters that can make riders woozy. The family coaster will have a top speed of 37 mph and will forego inversions, so it won’t be as intense as the superb Time Traveler at Silver Dollar City. Based on the concept art above, it appears that a giant animatronic Werewolf may threaten to swipe passengers. Take that Disco Yeti!
The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf’s Revenge at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Virginia
Sticking with the lupine theme, Busch Gardens will be bringing back the beloved Big Bad Wolf coaster–sort of. The ride sequel will tone down the thrills of its predecessor and will hit a moderate top speed of 40 mph. Like the coaster that inspired it, it will feature trains that will hang suspended beneath its tracks. Guests as small as 42 inches will be able to board the inverted coaster and, with their feet dangling from the ski lift-like cars, race through the Bavarian village’s woods to escape the wrath of the howling BBW.
Hot Wheels Twin Mill Racer and Hot Wheels Bone Shaker: The Ultimate Ride at Mattel Adventure Park in Arizona
The long-gestating Mattel Adventure Park (it was originally supposed to open in 2023) will include two coasters, both themed to the toy company’s popular Hot Wheels brand and both manufactured by Chance Rides. The more extreme one, Twin Mill Racer, will launch from 0 to 50 mph in less than 3 seconds, climb 116 feet, and include four inversions. (I know that Mattel sells Hot Wheels tracks that include loops, but I’ve yet to see NASCAR racers navigating any corkscrews.) Despite its name, Bone Shaker: The Ultimate Ride will be a relatively modest family coaster that will climb 84 feet and forego inversions.
Quantum Accelerator at Six Flags New England in Massachusetts
Using a tire-propelled launch system, the family coaster will hit 45 mph. Quantum Accelerator, which will be located in Six Flags New England’s Crackaxle Canyon, will have a steampunk-meets-the-Old-West theme and offer motorcycle-style straddle seating. The Intamin ride will be the park’s first launched coaster.
Hiccup’s Wing Gliders at Universal Epic Universe in Florida
Yet another family coaster (which account for most of the 2025 honorable mention rides), the launched Hiccup’s Wing Gliders will be the marquee attraction at Epic Universe’s How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk land. Like Quantum Accelerator, it will reach a top speed of 45 mph.
Shootout and TBA at Oasis at Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri
Little is known about the new Oasis complex, which is scheduled to open in phases starting with the debut of a small amusement park in summer 2025. Among the rides will be a 200-foot-tall Ferris wheel and two roller coasters. Shootout will be a Vekoma family boomerang (like Good Gravy at Holiday World) that will rise up a 75-foot-tall spike and hit 37 mph. The other ride, which has yet to be named, will be a suspended family coaster (like Phoenix at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park) that will climb 63 feet and hit a top speed of 42 mph. In 2026, an indoor water park and 402-room Marriott hotel will follow.
Which honorable mention coaster are you most anticipating?